Diego Cordova: ASR Conference

During this past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 86th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Sociology of Religion which was held in Chicago, Illinois. Overall, I have to say that my experience at Chicago was absolutely amazing, not just for my academic career but also as a personal life experience. During the academic conference in question, I had the privilege to interact with and connect with experts in the field of sociology from a variety of both domestic and international institutions such as UMass Boston, Oxford, and Purdue. Not only did this experience serve to sharpen my public speaking skills, but it also enhanced my understanding of my major and the opportunities available to me after graduation. When it comes to my experience within the city of Chicago, I had the opportunity to view both the Chicago riverwalk and Millennial Park, which were like no other place I have been to before. Likewise, I also had the opportunity to visit some of its less visited regions, such as its local China Town, which was rich in both culture and history. Overall, I cannot begin to describe how much of an incredible opportunity this was. What I can say is that this time in Chicago will be one of the biggest highlights of my time at UTampa.

Sincerely,

Diego Córdova

Week of Welcome 2025

The University of Tampa Honors Program kicked off the fall semester with a lively Week of Welcome, giving new students the perfect introduction to life in Honors. During orientation, current Honors students shared their experiences with study abroad, thesis research opportunities, and the Honors Executive Council, offering insight into the many ways to get involved and make the most of the program.

The celebration continued at McKay Hall, home of the Honors Living Learning Community, where more than 250 students gathered for a night of fun. The event featured food, a photo booth, a DJ, sand volleyball, and door sign-making.

It was the perfect start to the year as we connected new and returning students while showcasing the opportunities and community available in Honors.

That’s All, Folks!

Honors celebrated the close of the 2024-2025 academic year with its annual ‘Splash Into Summer’ party. It was a great way to fit in some time away from books and burnout and we’re glad students were able to indulge in food, fun, and friends. Some even took a turn on the Slip ‘N Slide!

And who doesn’t love a photo booth complete with fun props and accessories? Clearly, Honors does, including (any maybe especially?) Drs. Tillman and Rukholm.

To all of our Honors students: we hope you had an awesome year at UTampa and we wish you a fantastic summer, whether it be restful, adventure-filled, or somewhere in between. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus in August!

To our HEC leaders: THANK YOU for all of your hard work this year in organizing so many fun events for our students. We appreciate your dedication, your commitment, and your ideas.

To our graduating seniors: we are so proud of your numerous accomplishments and we wish you a wonderful next chapter of your story. Don’t be strangers! Keep in touch from time to time to let us know what you’re up to; we’re always glad to hear from you!

Happy summer everyone!

-Dr. R