Current Honors Announcements

Announcements updated as of 10/30/09

For past Honors announcements please visit our archived announcements page here.

Bragging Rights

Won an award? Made a presentation? Been published? Let us Know!!

Upcoming Events
Scholarship Information
Study Abroad Opportunities
Miscellaneous Announcements

Honors Research Fund

Announcing the Honors Research Fund, designed to give Honors students access to direct funding for activities that will academically enhance their undergraduate experience. Go here for additional information and application here

Honors Thesis Preliminary and Formal Proposal Deadlines

If you are graduating in December 2010 the deadline for your Thesis Preliminary Proposal was Monday September 28th by 5pm.  If you are graduating in May of 2010 the deadline for your Thesis Formal Proposal was also Monday September 28th by 5pm.  If you need a short extension or have any questions or concerns please contact Amber Summers-Graham at 797-3790 or amber.summers@usu.edu

Last Lecture Nominations

We are seeking nominations for the 35th Annual Last Lecture, to be held on April 13, 2010. The Last Lecture is an important Honors tradition at USU, and an opportunity for students to nominate a full professor who has made a noteworthy contribution to the education and mentorship of undergraduates, both inside and outside of the classroom. A committee of Honors students will review the nominations and select the Last Lecturer, who will speak to the student body on the topic he or she would choose were this his or her "last lecture" at USU.

If you have one or more professors who have made an impact on you, whether through their teaching or mentorship of contracts or a thesis, please email Amber Summers-Graham amber.summers@usu.edu the name and a brief paragraph nomination, telling the selection committee how that professor has influenced your education at USU.

The first deadline for nominations is December 4th at 12:00 pm.

Consider an Exciting American Studies Class for Spring 2010

Honors students may want to consider adding the American Studies capstone course to your spring schedules! The class will include a research project, which may be good practice for your thesis and a terrific way to brush up your writing. The class will devote about a month to reading interdisciplinary scholarship focusing on the American West, books such as Philip Deloria’s Indians in Unexpected Places, then host a month of scholars from a variety of disciplines—art history, environmental history, creative nonfiction, etc.  During that time students will define interdisciplinary research projects (which do not have to focus on the West).  After that the students will work individually with Professor Graulich on these projects, doing several drafts, as well as in small groups, coming back together as a class the last two weeks of the term when they will do their public presentations. (They will all be required to invite at least two people to the presentations to make sure we actually have a general audience.)  Their final projects can be creative nonfiction. The class is cross listed in English and History, 5690.  Th 4:30-7. For more information or to register for this interesting class, contact Professor Melody Graulich, melody.graulich@usu.edu.

Attention Spring 2010 Graduates

If you are planning on graduating with Honors in spring of 2010, you must have a completed and signed Graduation Audit on file with Honors before the end of Fall 2009 semester. If you have not yet completed a Graduation Audit please contanct Amber Summers-Graham to schedule one: amber.summers@usu.edu or 797-3790.

Spring 2010 Registration for Non-Honors Eligible Students

 If you are not eligible for Honors Priority Registration you will be registering following this schedule:

  • November 2 – Matriculated Graduate Students and Second Bachelor’s Students
  • November 3 – Seniors (90+ earned credits)
  • November 4 – Juniors (60+ earned credits)
  • November 5 – Sophomores (30+ earned credits)
  • November 6 – Continuing Freshmen (1+ earned credits

 If you are planning on taking an Honors course that does not begin with the HONR prefix, for example ENGL 2010(H), you will need to fill out the online Course Request Form so that we can authorize you for the class. You can find the Course Request From here: http://honors.usu.edu/htm/course-request. If you have any questions regarding Honors Priority Registration or Honors courses in general please contact our office at 797-2715.

If you have the symptoms of the flu, stay home!

Reminder, if you have the symptoms of the flu, you should please stay home and email your professor. Rest, recuperate and prevent the spread!

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

  • fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu infections, is sometimes absent
  • cough
  • runny nose or stuffy nose
  • sore throat
  • body aches
  • headache
  • chills
  • fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
  • diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

Have you joined the Honors Facebook Group yet?

Go here to join. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25833260141. Lots of neat pictures and informational updates.

Reminder for First Year Honors Students

Before you will be allowed access to Honors Priority Registration you must complete a 4-year plan and make an appointment to meet with an Honors advisor. You can do this on our website here. Advising appointments will be available daily through October 9th.

Honors Advising Appointments Available

Are you returning from a leave of absence? Are you a 2nd year student (or 3rd or 4th) who just wants to make sure you are on track for graduation? The Honors Office will be offering advising appointments daily starting October 12th and running through the end of the semester. You can make an appointment using our online scheduler here. Feel free to call our office with any questions or problems.

Upcoming Events

Competition on November 19th, don't wait! Go to Old Main 015 to sign up your team of 4 with your Team Name or sign up to be a Wild Card and be put on a team! OR, e-mail Amber Summers at amber.summers@usu.edu!!! ROCK ON!

Bioneers Conference, Friday & Saturday, 8:30 am-4:30pm, Eccles Conference Center

We are proud to be one of 18 Beaming Bioneers organizations across America bringing the Bioneers' sustainability programming to ever more people. This is the Bioneers 20th anniversary. The Bioneers conference provides inspiration and education geared to taking action and catalyzing wider citizen participation. The conference offers pragmatic solutions that honor the living web of the natural world as the most fertile source of inspiration and models. For more info, visit: http://sail2.ext.usu.edu/bioneers/2009.  

Caine School of the Arts presents Mixed Blessings Exhibition

Oct 20 to Nov 22, 2009 African-American artist Robert Peppers installs mixed media icons at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. Call the Art Department at 435-797-4360 for more information. This is part of the Crossing Boundaries Year-Long Tanner Project.

 Upcoming Graduate Research Events

Research on Capitol Hill - January 8, 2010 (abstracts due Nov 2, 1009)

Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research - February 26, 2010, SUU (abstracts due Nov. 1, 2009)

CUR Posters on the Hill - April 2010 (abstracts due Nov. 10, 2009)

* For more info visit: http://www.cur.org/postersession.html

USU Student Showcase & Awards - March 30, 2010 (abstracts due March 2, 2010)

* Celebration of 35th Anniversary of Undergraduate Research at USU

* For more info visit: http://research.usu.edu/undergrad/htm/sharing-your-research/student-showcase

National Conference on Undergraduate Research - April 15-17, 2010 (abstracts due Dec. 4, 2009)

* Hosted by University of Montana

* For more info visit: http://www.umt.edu/ncur2010/

Undergraduate Research Registry

If you are currently in you junior or senior year, you should register now! Council on Undergraduate Research hosts a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers. The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates who have research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, with graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research. The Registry is open to students and graduate students in the fields of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics/Astronomy, Mathematics/Computer Science, Economics, Geosciences, Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, Humanities and Anthropology/Archaeology

Go to www.cur.org/ugreg/ to fill out a cimple curriculum vitae form. There is no charge to students and records will be made available to bone fide Graduate Schools that contract with CUR for this service. Organizations or companies seeking the students' information for other marketing purposes will not be granted access. Graduate School representatives may contact students to invite applications or visits to the campus and laboratory, or to share information about their research programs and financial support opportunities.

Scholarship/Fellowship/Contest Information

Gonzaga Law School - Thomas More Scholarship Program

Gonzaga Law School's Thomas More Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity for students to realize their commitment to serving the public interest through law.

Each year, a small number of entering first-year students are awarded full tuition Scholarships so that they may pursue careers in public service unencumbered by substantial law school debt. The Scholarships are awarded for one year, but are readily renewable. Interested students and advisors should visit the program's website for application materials and to learn more about Gonzaga's Thomas More Scholarship Program: http://www.law.gonzaga.edu/About-Gonzaga-Law/thos_more/default.asp. Scholarship applications are due March 1. School of Law applications should be submitted no later than February 1.

Global Health Essay Contest - Deadline November 20th

The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health is seeking essay submissions that answer the following question in 500-800 words by midnight, November 20th, 2009: "What is the most important thing the U.S. can do to improve global health over the next 15 years?"

We are looking for fresh, innovative approaches to global health problems. The author of the winning essay will receive $1,000 scholarship with a chance to be published in the Commission's final report. Complete details can be found at: http://www.smartglobalhealth.org/pages/essay-signup.

Department of Energy - Science Graduate Fellowship - Deadline November 30th

The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) has established the DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF) program to provide support for outstanding students to pursue graduate degrees and research in areas of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences and environmental sciences relevant to the Office of Science, and to encourage the development of the next generation scientific and technical talent in the U.S.

Fellows will receive a $35,000 yearly stipend for living expenses, $10,500 per year for tuition and fees and a $5,000 research stipend supplement for research materials and travel expenses. Fellows will be required to attend the annual DOE SCGF Reasearch Conference to be held each summer at a DOE national laboratory. Travel expenses and accomodations to the Conference will be provided by the DOE SCGF program.

For more information about the program, eligibility, benefits and application visit: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SCGF.html.

National Collegiate Honors Council announces New John & Edythe Portz Fellowship

National Collegiate Honors Council announces a new fellowship for undergraduate honors students. The award is named for Dr. John and Mrs. Edythe Portz, pioneers in honors education whose support of imaginative ventures in undergraduate education has benefited college students in Maryland and throughout our nation since the late 1960s. The highly competitive award of up to $7,000 is open to students at NCHC's 800+ member institutions in the United States and beyond.

The Portz Fellowships support original and extended interdisciplinary projects for up to eighteen months. Applications for the first round of grants will be accepted beginning in January 2010. If you would like more information about the Portz Fellowship, please contact Dr. Patrice Berger at pberger1@unl.edu, or 402-472-5425.

Applications and information about the Portz Fellowship are available online at http://www.nchchonors.org.

Call for Applicants: Knowles Science Teaching Foundation 2010 Teaching Fellowships

Do you have a passion for teaching high school science or math? Are you committed to becoming an outstanding professional teacher? A Teaching Fellowship from the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation can make all the difference. Applications are now being accepted for one of the most generous and comprehensive teaching fellowships available for individuals committed to becoming professional high shool and science or mathematics teachers. KSTF Teaching Fellowhips provide up to five years of financial and professional support to exceptional individuals as they begin their careers teaching in U.S. high schools.

Applicants should have:

* At least a bachelor's degree in science, engineering or mathematics

* Received their most recent content degree within the past five years

(Individuals currently enrolled in a secondary math or science teaching credential program are eligible if they are within five years of their most recent content degree and have not completed their teaching credential before December 2009.)

Deadline is Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 5:00pm EST Apply Online at: http://dci.createsend1.com/t/r/l/hykttl/jrlighki/j

McCarthey Family Foundation Announces Lecture Series and Essay Contest

NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr and freed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi will speak at the fourth annual McCarthey Family Foundation Lecture Series: In Praise of Independent Journalism on October 10, 2009. In conjunction with the lecture, the Foundation is sponsoring an essay contest to encourage dialogue about independent journalism among students in higher education in Utah.

Students at colleges and universities in Utah are invited to write an original essay of 500 words or less, typed and double-spaced, about the topic “Freedom of the Press: At What Cost?”. The winning essayist will receive a cash award of $2500 and two reserved tickets to the lecture.

Essays must be submitted in an envelope marked “McCarthey Family Lecture Series: In Praise of Independent Journalism.” Entries must include name of student and contact information (address, phone, and email) as well as the name and department of the Utah college or university where the student is enrolled. Complete entries, postmarked no later than September 30, 2009, should be sent to McCarthey Family Foundation, c/o MKL Public Relations, 8 East Broadway, Suite 611, Salt Lake City UT 84111

Glamour's Top 10 College Women Competition

Glamour magazine is please to invite students to apply for their 2010 Top 10 College Women Competition. This competition recognizes the exceptional achievements and academic excellence of female college juniors (third-years) attending college in the United States and Canada. This is an ideal opportunity for talented students to be rewarded for their leadership roles on campus and in the greater community. It is also an opportunity to spotlight your college or university.

Winners receive $3,000, coverage in an issue of the magazine, and a trip to New York City where they’ll meet with top female professionals. The deadline for entries is Dec. 1, 2009. Interested students should contact Dr. Christie Fox christie.fox@usu.edu or call 797-2715 to schedule an appointment to meet with her.

 Boren Scholarship and Fellowship Applications Now Available

The Campus Rep for the Boren Awards will visit USU on October 21st watch for announcements regarding an information session on that day.

The Institute of International Education has announced the opening of the 2010-11 academic year competition for the National Security Education Program David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships.  Boren Awards provide unique funding opportunities for US undergraduate and graduate students to become more proficient in the cultures and languages of world regions critical to the future security of our nation, such as Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.  Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 for an undergraduate’s academic year’s study abroad.  Application information is available at www.borenawards.org Deadline: February 10, 2010. 

National Space Club awarding $10,000 Goddard Scholarship to Science or Engineering Students

The National Space Club awards a $10,000 scholarship each year, in memory of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, America's rocket pioneer. Applicants must have a track record in space-related research and be a U.S. citizen, in at least the junior year of an accredited university, and have the intention of pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in science or engineering during the interval of the scholarship.

Spring Capital Semester Program at Georgetown University

Spend your spring semester studying at Georgetown University. Sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in partnership with Georgetown University, Capital Semester combines substantive internships, rigorous courses for academic credit, career development activities, exclusive briefings and lectures led by prominent policy experts.

Students from NCHC Honors Programs will be given priority in scholarship awards from the general scholarship fund.  Honors students should indicate on their application materials that they are members of an Honors program and list their Honors activities on their resume. Early deadline is October 1st to receive a 5% discount on tuition as well as priority internship placement

For more information and an online application, please visit our website www.DCinternships.org/CS<http://www.dcinternships.org/CS> or contact Dana Faught, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, at admissions@tfas.org<mailto:admissions@tfas.org> or 202.986.0384.

Please visit this website to request an informational brochure: https://www.dcinternships.org/tfas/brochure/index.asp

Study Abroad Opportunities

Teach English in Japan - Internships Available for 2010

Interact Co., Ltd. Needs teachers for full-time, short-term or long-term internships in public schools all across Japan.  Airfare, housing and a monthly stipend are provided.  Students who are interested in the program will work through the Study Abroad Office to complete the application process.  If accepted, students will sign up for a USU internship course for credit during their time in Japan.  Please contact Kay Forsyth in the Study Abroad office with questions. kay.forsyth@usu.edu

Honors Study Abroad in Guatemala

The University of Arizona and the Center for Mesoamerican Research (CIRMA) invite you to participate in an Honors study abroad program in Antigua, Guatemala.  This is a summer, spring and/or fall semester program.  Students receive a University of Arizona transcript and can take courses for Honors credit.  Program highlights include a variety of Latin American Studies, History, Anthropology, Environmental Studies and Spanish classes, taught by professors, scholars, and practitioners from Central America.  Students can also study a Mayan language.  There will be engaging field trips throughout Guatemala, opportunities to travel on your own, and a home stay with a Guatemalan family.  For more information, contact Jill Calderon at the UA Study Abroad office: jcaldero@email.arizona.edu For photos and to read what a current student has to say about her experience in Guatemala, read the blog "A brief interlude of sensational experience": http://lauraebuchanan.blogspot.com/

Computer Lab/Printouts

Students active in Honors (which means you're in an Honors course, including a thesis course, and/or doing an Honors contract) will receive an additional $3 on their print account.  This credit can then be used during the semester for printouts in any computer lab on campus. Instead of printing only in the Honors lab in the library, active Honors student will be able to print anywhere on campus. We're adding this $3 to your existing print account, so this semester each students will get an additional 50 print outs.  Students will get this $3 each semester, and it will be added to your account after the deadline for Honors contracts has passed. If you do not use all 50 print outs, we will retrieve the money, so that we will have additional resources for future printing. Due to this new policy, the printers in the computer lab have been removed. We are very excited about this change and know that you will enjoy the ease of printing from anywhere on campus.

Worried about paying for college?

Now is the time to apply for financial aid!  Learn more here.

 The Honors Listserv

If you expect to receive notification about things like Honors early registration, graduation, Honors activities, and job and scholarship opportunities, you must be subscribed to the Honors Listserv. Click here to either subscribe or unsubscribe.

Honors Housing

 Honors has a floor in the Living/Learning Community, just west of the Taggart Student Center. The floor is open to both incoming and continuing Honors students, and includes both shared and private rooms. Interested students should contact Shannon Jolley, Theme Housing Coordinator, at 797-8224 or shannon.jolley@usu.edu

Jobs

Honors maintains a list of on campus employment opportunities. If you have to work, it's much better to work on campus. Check the list on the Campus Employment Page

Apply to be an A-Team Peer Mentor Next Year

The New Student Orientation Office is currently accepting applications for next year's A-Team Peer Mentors. This job is a paid position with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA requirement. A-Team members facilitate campus orientation programs, including SOAR and University Connections. They also act as peer mentors for 30-60 incoming freshmen, keeping in touch with those students throughout their freshman year.

A-Team members receive training via a two-credit class held during spring semester (Wednesdays from 4:30-6:30pm) and two retreats at the Bear Lake Training Center.

Each year, A-Team members work very hard to learn the policies and procedures of the University. They are then prepared to help incoming students make the transition to University life. A-Team members often give students their first impression of Utah State, and the information and guidance they provide to incoming students plays a key role in the retention and satisfaction of these students and their parents.

A-Team members also form close friendships and develop connections throughout the University. This is a great way for students to enhance their experience here at Utah State.

Application Process: Applications are available now and can be picked up in TSC 310. They are due December 1 at 5:00 pm. Interviews will take place in early December.

We will hold an information session regarding this position on Monday, November 23 at 4:30pm in TSC Center Colony Room. If you have questions regarding the position and application process please stopy by TSC 310.

Supplemental Instruction Program hiring SI Leaders

The Supplemental Instruction program is hiring SI leaders for Spring 2010 semester for the following classes:

CHEM 1210
PHYS 1200
PSY 1010 sec 001 & 003
SOC 1010 sec 002 & 003
USU 1350 sec 001
 

Details regarding SI positions can be found on the Student Employment website beginning 11/4/09 at http://www.usu.edu/studemp/.

The hourly wage is $9.00/hr for approximately 10 hours per week. The minimum requirements are:

  • Completed the class or related class and earned an A or A-. Hiring preference is given for majors who have completed two or more courses in the major.
  • Attend all class lectures
  • Conduct two out-of-class review sessions each week.
  • Attend mandatory weekly training 3:00-4:15 pm. Tuesday and Thursday for the first 3 weeks of the semester and weekly thereafter.

To apply, please contact the Academic Resource Center in TSC 305, 797-1128.

Miscellaneous Announcements

In addition to the following announcements, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) link, to the right, as well as the other right-hand navigators for lots of helpful information.

As a reminder, the last day to add an Honors class is the Friday of the first week of classes.  You may drop an Honors class at any time, through the final drop date of the semester.

2009-2010 Honors Student Council: Jen Alvord Ewell, President; Rebecca Tanner, Executive Secretary; Ben Carroll, Marti Bowles, Shayla Michel and Jylisa Doney, Executive Council Members.

2009-2010 Honors Teaching Fellows: Marti Bowles, Cyri Dixon, Muriel McGregor, Lance Petersen, Kaylee Savage, Darcy Stewart, Morgan Summers, Leah Whitchurch and Jylisa Doney.

Have you been invited to join a National Honor Society because of your high GPA? Are you looking for a society that will give you more opportunities to excel within your major? Click here to check to see if the society you're thinking about is listed in the Association of Collegiate Honor Societies. You might also want to check out what Illinois State University has to say here.

Are you looking for presentation opportunities? Find out about publication and presentation opportunities open to undergraduates at the Undergraduate Journals and Conferences Directory.