01-23-24
A reminder that the application deadline for the Timothy M. Smith Award is February 1. You can apply here: Timothy M. Smith Award App
Also, applications to the Oxford Study Abroad Program are due March 1. The application form can be found here: Oxford Study Abroad App
Upcoming Symposia:
Jan. 26 @ 4pm in Plant Hall’s Fletcher Lounge: Sofia Cuello, Amelia Gaudio & Caitlyn Walley will be talking about their experience at Oxford
Feb. 2 @ 4pm in Trustees’ Boardroom: A sponsored symposium entitled ‘Friendship with Ghandi’ organized by the English & Writing program’s Dr. Sucheta Kanjilal
Finally, the following HEC subcommittees will be meeting as follows:
Service – Tuesdays at 5 pm in PH225 starting 1/23
Excursions – January 29th at 6 PM in Plant Hall 236
Be sure to check the Honors Calendar for all upcoming Honors events.
Have a great week!
Dr. Rukholm
Associate Director of Honors
Blog: uthonors.com
Instagram: utampahonorscouncil
01-17-24
Welcome to the spring 2024 semester!
I’d like to introduce myself formally. I am Dr. Vanessa Rukholm, the new Associate Director of Honors. I am stepping into Dr. Cragun’s shoes and am really looking forward to getting to know you during your time at UT. In addition to my role in Honors, I am also Associate Professor of French and Italian. I have been teaching for over 20 years, in my native Canada and for the last 10 years at UT. I love all things language and culture so if you are contemplating studying language and/or studying abroad, come by and chat with me!
I’m also pleased to welcome our new Honors advisor, Ms. Kelley Graff. She earned her Master’s Degree in College Student Affairs at the University of South Florida and most recently served as an academic advisor at the University of Florida. Kelley is a passionate educator who enjoys helping students meet their academic and career goals. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and watching college football. Stop by her office, PH311C (just next door to the Honors Office) and say hello!
Some important dates to note:
1) The deadline to apply for the Timothy M. Smith Award is February 1st. You can apply here: Timothy M. Smith Award App
2) Be sure to check out the Honors Calendar for this semester’s symposia.
3) Tickets for the Feb. 16th Distinguished Speaker Series guest speaker, Edwidge Danticat, are required and available (free of charge) here: Tickets for Distinguished Speaker Series – Danticat
Have an excellent start to the semester!
Best,
Dr. Rukholm
Associate Director of Honors
Blog: uthonors.com
Instagram: utampahonorscouncil
11-7-23
There are a couple of spots left for the Edwidge Danticat book study. Come by the Honors Office (Plant Hall 309) to get the book and sign up.
Like the DUNE activity last month, we are doing something similar with the Tampa Museum of Art. Go with a group of Honors students, take a photo of you there, and upload it using this Google Form to get 10 Engagement points. Admission to the museum is free for college students with a UT ID. You can go any time during the month of November.
We have two symposia this week.
Wednesday, November 8th, in Reeves Theatre from 6:00 to 8:00 pm (yes, two hours; plan to stay the whole time), Walter Dunn will be discussing prison reform in the criminal justice system. (10 Academic points)
Thursday, November 9th at 7:00 pm in the FCA Theater, Dr. Francesca Romeo will present “American Exceptionalism as Exceptional Bodies: The Politics of Unassimilable Images.” (10 Academic points)
There are also two events next week.
On Tuesday, November 14th, at 4:00 pm in the FCA Theater, Kelsey Little will present her experiences as the recipient of the Timothy M. Smith Inspiration Through Exploration Award. Immediately following Kelsey’s presentation outside the theater will be a “Snack ‘n’ Chat” with light food and drinks where you can discuss the presentation with other Honors students. (10 Academic points)
On Wednesday, November 15th, at 6:00 pm there will be a volleyball tournament/game at McKay Hall’s volleyball court. (10 Engagement points)
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
10-25-23
We have a number of events and deadlines coming up.
Tomorrow, October 26th, at 6:00 pm in McKay Hall’s common room there will be Halloween Trivia. No sign up required. (10 Engagement points)
Friday, October 27th at 2:30 in ICB 210 Dr. Carlos Santamaria will present, “Comparative analyses of mitogenomes from various Ligia isopod species.” This is an Honors sponsored symposium. (10 Academic points)
Monday, October 30th at 2:00 pm in Reeves Theater, Dr. Lesley Wolff will present, “Nation on a Plate: Digesting the Art of Mexico.” (10 Academic points)
We are planning to take about 20 students to clean up the Honors adopted beach (Cypress Point Park) on November 3rd from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. A sign-up for the beach clean-up will go out next week. We could use a few students with cars to help transport everyone.
The deadline to sign up for Dr. Rukholm’s HON 255 – Global Gateway: Intercultural Competence in Italy is November 1st. More information here. Do note that the Honors Program has study abroad scholarships to help offset the cost of international study courses.
The ink has just dried on the Distinguished Speaker Series contract with award-winning Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat. She will be presenting on February 16th from 6:00 to 7:30 in the FCA Theatre. There will be a book club talk earlier that day at 2:00 pm. We’ll be distributing copies of the book in advance and will hold several discussions before she arrives.
Finally, a reminder that students can present their research at the Florida Collegiate Honors Council Conference from February 23rd through the 25th here in Tampa. You can apply to participate here.
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
10-13-23
Two important deadlines are here.
October 14th is the deadline for applications for the spring semester at Oxford. As of the 12th, we have just 2 applicants. Apply here.
October 15th is the deadline for students in HON 100 or HON 102 to apply to continue in Honors. If you do not apply to continue, you will be dropped from Honors at the end of the semester. Apply here.
I also want to remind you about the HON 255 travel course taking place in the spring and summer. More info here. Also, in case you aren’t aware, the Honors Program has travel funds to help offset the cost of study abroad courses. See here.
The Florida Collegiate Honors Council Conference is taking place in Tampa from February 23rd through the 25th. If you’re looking for an opportunity to present your research, please apply here to attend the conference. We’ll be covering all registration fees for the conference.
The most recent symposium can now be viewed online. You have to watch the entire video and correctly answer the questions to get the ACE points. (10 Academic points)
The next symposium is on October 20th from 4:00 to 5:00 pm on the 9th floor of Vaughn. Dr. Hengwei Rachel Zhang will present, “How to Uncover the Mystery of AI.” (10 Academic points)
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
10-5-23
We have a couple of activities coming up.
Tomorrow, October 5th, at 3:00 pm on the 9th floor of Vaughn, Dr. Meredith Clements will present, “A Glimpse into Health Communication.” (10 Academic points)
Tuesday, October 10th, there will be an on-campus activity, Painting in Paradise, at 7:00 pm in Plant Park. Because this requires supplies, this is a limited event. You can sign up here. (10 Engagement points)
Another reminder that the deadline for Oxford is October 14th and the deadline for students in HON 100 and HON 102 to apply to continue in Honors is October 15th.
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
9-27-23
Several things coming up in the next week or so.
First, the location for the sponsored symposium this Friday – Dr. Anna Ragni speaking on “Hominin Bones, Brains, and Biomechanics” from 2:30 to 3:30 – was changed. It’s now in GHS 109. (10 Academic points)
Next, the On Campus Activities subcommittee arranged with Career Services to have Honors students participate in a speed networking event this coming Tuesday, October 3rd, starting at 5:30 pm. You have to register here. You’ll also need to sign in once you get there using the QR code. (10 Engagement points)
The next symposium is October 5th at 3:00 pm on the 9th floor of Vaughn. Dr. Meredith Clements will present, “A Glimpse into Health Communication.” (10 Academic points)
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry has funds to pay for students to travel and give presentations at several upcoming conferences, including the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR; deadline 11/30), the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference (FURC; deadline 12/10), and Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capital (deadline 12/1). All those working on a thesis who are ready to present their research should consider applying for these travel funds. This is a great opportunity to get experience presenting your research. Presenting your research at a conference earns you Academic points!
Finally, just a few reminders about upcoming deadlines.
Oxford Semester Abroad applications are due October 14th.
Applications to continue in Honors for students currently enrolled in HON 100 or HON 102 are due October 15th.
And the deadline to apply for the HON 255 travel course is November 1st.
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
9-21-23
Lots to cover in this email.
There is a sponsored symposium on September 29th at 2:30 pm in GHS 109. Dr. Anna Ragni will be presenting, “Hominin Bones, Brains, and Biomechanics.” (10 Academic points)
We have just finalized the first HON 255 travel course, “Global Gateway: Intercultural Competence in Italy.” It will be taught by Dr. Vanessa Rukholm. The course will meet on campus for the second 7 weeks of the spring semester then spend June 18th through June 29th in Italy. More here. The deadline to apply for the course is November 1st, 2023. This will count for the HON 255 Idea Lab. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to fit in all of your Honors Curriculum requirements, this is the only way to get HON 255 during the summer.
The application for the Oxford Semester Abroad Programme is coming up quickly: October 14th. The application is here.
For students currently in HON 100 or HON 102, the deadline to continue in Honors is October 15th. The application to continue in Honors is available here.
Three of the Honors Executive Committees (HEC) have scheduled their meetings for the semester. If you’re looking to get involved in the Honors Program, one of the best ways is to join a HEC subcommittee. There are four of them: service, on-campus activities, off-campus activities, and symposia.
If you are interested in joining the Off-Campus Excursions Subcommittee, here is the link to join their GroupMe! The committee’s first meeting will be September 27th at 7:30 PM in Plant Hall 208.
If you’re interested in joining the On-Campus Activities Subcommittee, their first meeting will be on Thursday, September 21st at 6:00 pm in the study area on the second floor of FCA.
And if you’re interested in joining the service subcommittee, their first meeting will be on September 26th at 5:00 pm in Plant Hall 208.
If you have any questions, please email us: honors@ut.edu
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
9-14-23
There is a Coffee Conversation next week, September 20th, at 5:00 pm in McKay Hall’s Common Room. Dr. Sarah Smith-Frigerio will be leading a discussion on the question, “How can communication destigmatize mental health concerns?” (10 Academic points)
Because these are meant to be small group discussions, the event is capped at just 20 students. Here is the sign-up form for this event:
https://forms.gle/1mboSqVGMwbXAvQi8
There will be light snacks.
We also just got an email from an alumnus, Dr. Bascom Bradshaw (class of 1997) who would like to have 25 Honors students join him and a group of alumni on a yacht for brunch during alumni weekend: October 28th, from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. (10 Engagement points)
If you’re interested in this opportunity to network with UT alumni, you can sign up here:
[form is now closed; link removed because opportunity is full].
In the interest of professional socialization, if you sign up for either of these events and then do not show up without letting us know, we will make note of that and not let you sign up for limited space events in the future. Signing up for limited events and then not showing up takes a space away from another student. Make sure that you can attend when you sign up and if something comes up, let us know by emailing honors@ut.edu.
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director
9-7-2023
We have our first symposium of the semester this week.
Friday, September 8th, from 4:00 to 4:45 on the 9th floor of Vaughn, two students who attended Oxford in the spring, Lena Malpeli and Rian Benoit, will describe their experiences. No registration is required. Make sure to bring your phone so you can scan the QR code to get credit for attendance. (10 Academic Points)
since it’s the beginning of the year and we have some new students in Honors, I’m going to repeat our expectations for Honors Symposia. First, arrive early. Arriving when a speaker has already begun their presentation is rude. We will not let students into the presentation after about the first 5 minutes. Plan to stay for their entire presentation and pay attention. One of the best ways to show respect for a speaker and to illustrate that you are paying attention is to ask questions during the Q&A portion of a presentation. If you leave before the presentation ends, you will not receive credit for attending the symposium. Leaving early is also rude. Be respectful.
We’re working with the Honors Executive Council to begin organizing activities but don’t have any scheduled just yet. Even so, if you’d like to begin earning Community points, you can always earn those through PEACE. Here is our policy on earning points through PEACE:
Community service points can be earned by volunteering at the Honors Service subcommittee-sanctioned events or with PEACE. Other volunteer opportunities do not count for Honors ACE points. The volunteer hours to community points ratio is as follows: 1-2 hrs is 10 points; 3-4 hrs is 20 points; 5-6 is 30 points. People who serve on PEACE alternative breaks earn points as follows: Weekend break: 50 service points; Week break national or international: 100 service points.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: honors@ut.edu.
Best,
Dr. Cragun
Honors Co-Director