Think “unique.”
Too often we conceive of an honors program as a mechanism for pushing students to excel, but the truth is that you push yourselves plenty. Our real job is to help support you in finding your unique path through this institution and through this world.
Think of the autumn leaves that will fall over the next several weeks.
Though they may seem all the same, they are not. Different colors, different shapes—even if only slightly—different trajectories to different resting spots on the greying earth. Together, they are different.
Where are you going? How will you adjust to the prevailing winds? How can the Honors Program help you be unique?
Specifically, how can you use the Honors curriculum—philosophy and theology, lives at and after SNC, advanced honors core courses, global seminars—to find yourselves and your places? How can you use the special community that emerges in Bergstrom and inspires all subsequent gatherings—trivia, Life Raft, Senior Reflection—to become who you are? How can you use national and regional honors conferences to let your voices be heard?
To this last point, allow me to preview: in an effort to become more involved with honors activity in our region, the SNC Honors Program has refocused its resources on taking students to the annual conference of the Upper Midwest Honors Council as regularly as possible. This year, the conference will take place March 27-29 at Mankato State University. Any honors students with research to present should make an application. We’ll make a weekend of it!
Contact KC or me for more information.
Until next time…fall like only you can.
