Virtual Honors Forum Celebrates our Honors Graduates, Faculty, and Awardees By Professor Stephen Wells * South Campus Honors Coordinator
The annual Honors Forum took place via Zoom again this year, but the virtual format did nothing to diminish the satisfac- tion and pride Honors students and faculty took in a job well done. Attendees kept the chat window busy with messages of congrat- ulations as fellow members of the Honors family presented summaries of their work and received a variety of awards and honors for their accomplishments. After opening remarks from CCAC President Dr. Quintin Bullock, Bridget Connolly started
and Maxine Russo concluded this portion of the program with an overview of this year ’ s Honors Program activities, the NRHC con- ference, and service. It has been an incredi- bly busy, but at the same time an incredibly rewarding, semester. Then the awards began. This year, 39 Honors Faculty taught 12 honors courses and mentored 34 honors contracts. Honors pins went to 44 Honors Students who either earned their first Honors credit this year or who attended their first Honors Forum since
the presentations with a summary of her Honors Contract from Children ’ s Literature with professor Zachary Cox entitled “ Grief and Loss in Children ’ s Literature. ” The project explored the importance of bibliotherapy in clinical, home, and school settings to help children recover from trauma. Jason Gomes continued with highlights from his Honors contract in Introduction to Biology with Professor Stacey Damm titled “ T Cell and CAR - T Therapies in Human Cancer Treatments and Their Potential for Translative Application in Animal Health. ” His project examined new cancer treatments for humans and the way these treatments might extend to use in animals. The Honors Alumni Speaker followed. Alexis Schnepp, a former Lead- ership in Honors Scholar for CCAC North Campus who graduated in 2016 with an Associate's Degree in Nursing, followed with her observations about the value of the Honors experience in a presenta- tion titled "The Honors Impact Outside of the Classroom." She shared the ways her non - academic Honors experiences, including ziplining, rock climbing, and her first airplane trip, helped her overcome insecu- rities (she is afraid of heights!) and how the confidence she developed translated to her career in nursing. She closed by telling attendees she regrets the events she missed, but has no regrets about the events she attended. Honors faculty member Ashley Ferrainolo then delivered her remarks, entitled “ Never Stop Learning. ” She described her use of the TED Talk format in her Honors Oral Communications class and shared her own experience of rediscovering the joy of learning as she listened to the speeches her students presented. She reminded attendees to stay curious, to be open to new ideas because as long as we are willing to learn, life is ready to teach. Leadership Assistants Aodhán Ridenour, Ashika Henry Richardson, Visit the Boyce Campus Honors Hub By Max Russo * Honors Leadership Assistant
earning their first Honors credit. Ten students earned a hoodie for completing the Honors Hat Trick by earning at least three Honors credits, participating in at least one Honors activity, and contributing to the success of one Honors service project in one semester. Two students earned the honor for a second time this year, and they received Honors travel mugs. Dr. Stuart Blacklaw, CCAC Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, presented pins and certificates for the Honors Program Service Award winners. Megan Bowe raised $315 for the Homeless Children ’ s Education Fund through the BINGO fundrais- er. Nicole Galla raised $60 for the BINGO fundraiser for the Homeless Children ’ s Education Fund and volunteered at the live donor drive for Be the Match for Jax. Finally, Bridget Sluka raised $200 for Be the Match for Jax service project. The awards program concluded with the awarding of Honors cords and Honors medallions. Fifty - five CCAC Honors students will have the honor of walking across the commencement stage wearing Honors cords, marking them as having graduated with Honors credits on their transcripts. Nine students will have the added distinction of graduat- ing with Honors Degrees, qualifying them to also wear Honors medallions at commencement. Dr. Bullock presented the degrees and medallions and reminded students that CCAC will have an in - person commencement at Heinz Field this year. Following the formal program, attendees gathered in the virtual lobby to congratulate one another, exchange contact information, and say good byes after their years of camaraderie and scholarship. We wish all Honors graduates the best of luck in their future endeavors, whatever they may be. We also encourage them to keep in touch with CCAC Honors. We will miss you, but we cannot wait to see the good you do in the world.
Weekdays 9:00am – 1:00pm
Honors students work hard every semester in Honors courses, Honors contracts, service projects, and other activities both school and Honors related. Schoolwork can be draining, and in these recent times of COVID - 19 we ’ ve been inhibited from enjoying normal socialization with those around us. Our Boyce Honors Hub provides a space for our Honors students to gather and socialize with each other, a space for students to connect or decompress when they need. Our Hub is brand new as of the Fall of 2021, and it contains the office of the Boyce Honors coordinator, Scott Mayberry, a lounge area, the Honors classroom that will be used for any Honors courses offered on Boyce, and even a kitchen! It ’ s the perfect place for students to hang out, heat up some food, and enjoy a safe space during a break in their day. School supplies such as writing supplies, paper, a printer and desktop, staplers, and more are also available to be used in our Hub!
At it ’ s core, our Hub is for students and aims to provide any support or comfort an Honors student may need during their semesters. COVID has affected us all, and the amount of on - campus work is just one of many aspects. With more in - person integration being discussed for future semesters, we hope to meet new and familiar faces in our Hub very soon!
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