I had a wonderful trip with the Appalachian Trail PITP program two weeks ago. The Virginia mountains were gorgeous and I learned a lot about conservation issues along the trail. Included are a few pictures from the trip. Some are of my group doing trail maintenance volunteer work, some are of the forest, and one is of me at the Blacksburg Farmer’s market during the trip. I am deeply grateful for you and the Honors program for giving me this unforgettable experience!
Author: Ryan Cragun
End of Year Social – May the 4.0 Be With You
Honors Council wrapped up the 2018-2019 academic year with a social in McKay Hall. The social had catering by Green Lemon and was Star Wars themed as it took place on May 4th. There were games, a Star Wars themed cake, and a photobooth with Star Wars props.
Making News – Kellie Etling and Caitlyn Johannes documentary
Recent Honors Program graduates, Kellie Etling and Caitlyn Johannes, submitted their short documentary, Queerly Beloved, to the Amazon Prime All Voices Film Festival and it was accepted. If you have Amazon Prime, you can watch the video here. The video explores gender, sexuality, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
International Travel – Sara Casareto
I had the incredible opportunity this past May to share my current undergraduate research at the 39th Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean (AMLC) Scientific Conference in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. My research consisted of the growth and mortality rate of a photosynthetic sea slug, Elysia subornata, which is found native in the Caribbean, depending on its diet.
The conference was an amazing learning experience that enabled me to network with universities and individuals in the scientific community from all over the Caribbean. I was able to observe up and coming research techniques, attend a coral microfragmentation workshop hosted by none other than Dr. David Vaughnan, and create both professional and personal relationships with individuals just as passionate about research and conservation as I am.
Symposium: Cynthia Heil – Red Tide/Harmful Algal Blooms
The final Honors symposium of the 2018-2019 academic year was organized by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry. Dr. Cynthia Heil, from MOTE Marine Aquarium, discussed her research on red tides, which are now referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms or HABs.
Spring 2019 Graduates
A total of 63 students graduated with Honors Program Distinction in spring 2019.
Guidance: Appealing Dismissal from the Honors Program
One of the requirements for remaining in the Honors Program is that students must maintain a 3.5 GPA. If a student in the Honors Program has their overall GPA drop below 3.5 for one semester, they will be put on probation. If their overall GPA remains below 3.5 for a second semester, they will typically be dismissed from the Honors Program.
It is possible to appeal your dismissal from the Honors Program. Appealing your dismissal basically involves sending the Honors Program Directors an email detailing: (1) why you want to stay in the Honors Program, (2) how you plan to raise your GPA, (3) how you plan to complete the requirements for the Honors Program, and (4) what benefits you believe you’ll receive by remaining in the Honors Program. Once the directors have that information, they will evaluate it and make a decision.
