Get documents about "08-09 Honors Report - Fairmont State University | Fairmont State
Shared by: P3y0f4E3
-
Stats
- views:
- 39
- posted:
- 11/23/2011
- language:
- English
- pages:
- 25
Document Sample
2008-2009 End-of-Year Report
Twenty Years of Excellence
Dr. J. Robert Baker
Director, Honors Program
Table of Contents
1. Celebrating Twenty Years of Excellence 3
2. Enrollment 5
3. Classes Offered 6
Fall 2008 6
Spring 2009 8
4. Honors Community 10
Residence Wing 10
Learning Communities 10
5. Quiz Bowl 12
6. Trips 13
Washington, D.C. 13
Shakespearean Road Trip 13
Study Abroad Class: Rome 14
HEPC Trip to Quebec 15
7. Undergraduate Research 16
8. Internships and Senior Projects 17
9. Awards and Prizes 20
10. Graduates 21
11. Honors Association 22
Officers 22
Mentoring 22
Community Service 22
Social Events 23
2|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
1. Celebrating Twenty Years of Excellence
The Honors Program was pleased to celebrate its twentieth anniversary during the 2008-
2009 academic year. The Program began in 1988 as a faculty initiative to help the institution‘s
most intellectually capable students. To celebrate the
occasion, we ordered wrist bands for students and faculty
that read, "FSU Honors -- Twenty Years of Excellence,"
and Bob Heffner in the Graphics department designed a
special logo. Also to celebrate the anniversary of Honors,
we asked to have the Honors Residence in Bryant Place named after Dr. Robert M. Grattan, the
founding director of the Program, but Dr. McClain, our interim president, deferred the decision
until there was a new president of Fairmont State.
Students greeted this twentieth year of excellence with enthusiasm. Many of them
continued to meet for lunch and dinner at what has become the Honors table in the dining room.
The Honors table, along with the Honors lab, provides a space outside of classes for all Honors
students to gather, connecting off-campus Honor students and the students residing in dorms.
With its ready camaraderie, the Honors table is a particularly good venue in which new students
are welcomed by like-minded students.
The Honors lab, tucked away behind a keypad lock on the bottom floor of Hardway Hall,
is also an academic and social space for members of the Program. This cozy room contains a
five desktop computers, along with a couch, television, microwave, and refrigerator. While
many places on campus offer computers for student use, the Honors lab is specific to Honors
students, making it a much more congenial and a usually quiet area. Every so often, however,
the Honors students hold parties and gatherings in the lab, turning the studious environment into
3|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
a disco ball light-show, complete with Nintendo Wii and snacks. But while these events are a
nice change of pace, the Honors Lab is primarily a place of study and repose.
4|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
2. Enrollment
The Honors Program enjoyed considerable growth during the 2008-09 academic year.
With the good help of the staff in Recruiting and Admissions, we admitted the largest Honors
class in memory—sixty-two new students were admitted, compared with forty in August, 2007
and forty-four in August, 2006. The size of this new class of Honors students represented 138%
of our standard complement of forty-five new students each year. Because of this increase, we
added a fourth section of the Honors Seminar, the gateway course into the Program for new
students.
5|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
3. Classes Offered - Fall 2008
Course Max Actual
Subject Number Section Hours Title Enrollment Enrollment Course Type Instructor
ART 1120 01 3 Art Appreciation – Hon 15 12 Class Hollinger, Marian
COMM 2201 03 3 Intro to Group Discussion – Hon 15 14 Class Kirk, Francene
ENGL 1104 65 3 Written English I – Honors 10 11 Class Benedetti, Debra
ENGL 1108 20 3 Written English II – Hon 15 12 Class George, Leland
ENGL 2220 01 3 World Lit I: Orgins - 1650 – Hon 15 13 Class Hokom, Matthew
HIST 2212 02 3 World Civilizations II – Honors 15 14 Class Albano, Patrick
HONR 1100 01 1 Honors Seminar 15 16 Class Baker, J. R.
HONR 1100 02 1 Honors Seminar 15 20 Class Baker, J. R.
HONR 1100 03 1 Honors Seminar 15 17 Class Baker, J. R.
HONR 1100 04 1 Honors Seminar 15 23 Class Baker, J. R.
HUSV 1103 02 1 Comm Serv Learn - Hon - Online 20 1 Class Nuzum, Donna
INTR 2200 04 3 Race Class gender: Pop Cltr - Hon 15 14 Class Edwards, Paul
MATH 1112 05 3 College Algebra – Honors 15 14 Class Larue, Alice
MATH 1190 02 4 Calculus I – Honors 9 10 Class Harris, Melanie
PHED 1100 14 2 Fitness and Wellness – Hon 15 10 Class McDonald, Stephen
PSYC 1101 19 3 Intro to Psychology I – Honors 15 15 Class Gurash, Dan
SCIE 1103 05 4 Science That Matters I – Hon 15 15 Class Trisel, Donald
ARCH 2210 01 4 Design I – Honors 2 2 Seat Morphew, Kirk
ART 1120 03 3 Art Appreciation – Honors 2 2 Seat Hollinger, Marian
BIOL 1170 04 4 Anatomy & Physiology – Hon 5 4 Seat Hardy, Steven
COMP 2200 02 3 Prin in Programming III – Hon 1 1 Seat Larue, Theodore
COMP 3300 02 3 Computer Graphics – Honors 4 5 Seat Baker, Randall
ENGL 2220 11 3 World Lit I: Orgins - 1650 – Hon 5 7 Seat Matthews, James
ENGL 2221 07 3 World Lit II: 1650-Present – Hon 3 5 Seat Savage, Elizabeth
ENGL 2231 07 3 Intro to Lit II - Poetry Honors 1 2 Seat Long, Donna
ENGL 3354 03 3 Children's Literature – Honors 1 1 Seat Matthews, James
INTR 2201 02 3 Intro to Woemn's Studies – Hon 5 3 Seat Long, Donna
MATH 3316 02 4 Calculus III – Honors 3 3 Seat Riesen, Joseph
MATH 4400 01 3 Seminar – Honors 1 1 Seat Harris, Melanie
MUSI 3341 03 2 Voice I-IV – Honors 1 1 Seat Poland, Jeffrey
PHYS 1101 05 4 Introduction to Physics I – Hon 2 1 Seat Haynes, Donald
POLI 1103 08 3 American Government – Hon 1 1 Seat Ryan, Patricia
6|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
PSYC 3300 02 3 Abnormal Psychology – Honors 4 4 Seat Shaver, Ann
PSYC 3390 03 3 Foundations of Psychology - Hon 1 1 Seat Rohrbaugh, Clarence
PSYC 4410 02 3 Theories of Personality – Honors 3 3 Seat Shaver, Ann
THEA 3392 01 3 Costume History & Design – Hon 1 1 Seat Snyder, Troy
ENGL 3382 01 3 World Novel – Honors 1 2 Ind / Sr Projects Baker, R R.
ENGL 4491 01 3 Writing Internship – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Sanford, Rhonda
MUSI 4440 02 1 Senior Recital – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Poland, Jeffrey
NSIS 4499 01 3 ST: National Sec & Intel – Hon 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Noone, Gregory
POLI 4411 01 3 Area Studies – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Noone, Gregory
POLI 4450 01 9 Practicum – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Noone, Gregory
THEA 4998 01 3 Undergraduate Research – Hon 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects O'Connor, John
7|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
3. Classes Offered – Spring 2009
Course Max Actual
Subject Number Section Hours Title Enrollment Enrollment Course Type Instructor
COMM 2201 03 3 Intro to Group Discussion – Hon 15 12 Class Kirk, Francene
ENGL 1108 23 3 Written English II – Hon 15 13 Class George, Leland
ENGL 2221 05 3 World Lit II: 1650-Present – Hon 15 15 Class Sanford, Rhonda
ENGL 33999 01 3 ST: Rome Study Tour – Honors 10 10 Class Baker, J R.
HIST 1107 08 3 Untied States History I – Hon 15 10 Class Millen-Penn, Kenneth
HUSV 1103 02 1 Comm Service Learn - Hon – Online 25 2 Class Nuzum, Donna
INTR 1120 02 3 Experiencing the Arts – Honors 15 9 Class Edwards, Constance
INTR 2280 03 3 Empowering Leadership – Hon 15 11 Class Hinton, Gregory
MATH 1107 01 3 Fund Concepts of Math – Honors 15 1 Class Larue, Alice
POLI 2209 01 3 Select Topics in Poli Sci – Hon 15 8 Class Noone, Gregory
POLI 3393 01 3 Future Global Crises – Honors 5 5 Class Molnar, Jude
PSYC 3393 02 3 Future Global Crises – Honors 5 1 Class Molnar, Jude
SCIE 1103 07 4 Science That Matters I – Honors 15 9 Class Trisel, Donald
SCIE 1199 03 1 ST: Honors Proseminar 10 4 Class Roof, Steven
SOCY 1110 17 3 Introductory Sociology – Honors 15 14 Class White, Craig
TECH 3393 01 3 Future Global Crises – Honors 5 1 Class Molnar, Jude
BIOL 1170 03 4 Anatomy and Physiology – Honors 2 1 Seat Hardy, Steven
BIOL 2205 11 4 Technical Microbiology – Honors 5 5 Seat Mooris, Tony
COMP 2201 02 3 Machine Organization – Honors 1 1 Seat Larue, Theodore
COMP 2230 02 3 Java and Internet Apps – Hon 2 2 Seat Larue, Theodore
COMP 2270 03 3 Data Struct, Algo/OOP I – Hon 4 2 Seat Hossain, Mahmood
COMP 4420 02 3 Selected Advanced Topics – Hon 1 1 Seat Tobin, Donald
ENGL 1104 34 3 Written English I – Honors 1 1 Seat Lupica-Scott, Debra
ENGL 1104 35 3 Written English I – Honors 1 1 Seat George, Leland
ENGL 2221 11 3 World Lit II: 1650-Present – Hon 8 8 Seat Baker, J R.
ENGL 2221 12 3 World Lit II: 1650-Present – Hon 1 1 Seat Hokom, Matthew
ENGL 2231 07 3 Intro to Lit II: Poetry – Honors 1 1 Seat Schwer, Mary
HIST 3310 02 3 Diplomatic & Mil Hist U.S. – Hon 1 1 Seat Albano, Patrick
MATH 1190 02 4 Calculus I – Hon 5 2 Seat Dunlevy, James
MATH 3315 02 4 Calculus II – Honors 5 5 Seat Harris, Melanie
8|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
MECH 4430 03 3 Heat Transfer II – Honors 1 1 Seat Dolan, Judy
PHYS 1101 04 4 Introduction to Physics I – Hon 3 3 Seat Hansen, Galen
PHYS 1102 08 4 Introduction to Physic II – Hon 3 1 Seat Haynes, Donald
PHYS 1106 05 5 Principles of Physics II – Hon 1 1 Seat Bachlechner, Martina
PSYC 3310 02 3 Experimental – Honors 4 5 Seat Rohrbaugh, Clarence
PSYC 4410 03 3 Theories of Personality – Honors 5 5 Seat Shaver, Ann
PSYC 4487 02 3 Practicum I – Honors 1 1 Seat Shaver, A J.
PYSC 3390 02 3 Foundations of Psychology – Hon 3 4 Seat Rohrbaugh, Clarence
BIOL 4992 02 6 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Flood, Mark
CRJU 4411 02 6 Field Practicum – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Shields, Charles
ENGL 4998 05 3 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Baker, J R.
ENGL 4998 06 6 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Savage, Elizabeth
ENGL 4998 07 3 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Baker, J R.
HIST 4998 01 6 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Albano, Patrick
PSYC 4998 03 3 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Kato, Tadashi
TECH 4401 01 8 Work Experience Laboratory – Hon 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects Thomas, Merle
THEA 4998 02 3 Undergraduate Research – Honors 1 1 Ind / Sr Projects O'Connor, John
9|P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
4. Honors Community
Residence Wing (Bryant Place – Sixth Floor)
In 2008-2009, the Honors Wing was again located on the sixth floor north wing of Bryant
Place. The wing housed forty-two residents. Of these, twenty-one were freshmen, twelve were
sophomores, eight were juniors, and one was a senior. Almost all of the students who lived in
the Honors Wing were members of the Honors Program. The Resident Assistant for the wing
was Daniel Bollinger, a junior in the Honors Program.
Various events were hosted from the Honors Wing, including making Christmas cards for
soldiers, helping with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, traveling to the Fright Farm,
learning meditation, and a recycling contest to name a few. For the second year in a row,
students celebrated the end of the fall term with a Winter Feast in Bryant Place. An end-of-the-
year celebration was also held for the Honors residents the weekend before final exams in the
spring semester. Living in the wing provided residents with a familiar environment that praised
and supported academic success.
Learning Communities
Once again the Honors Program offered its learning community Great Themes
in Sociology and Literature. This learning community explored important sociological themes
and concepts as they appeared in world literature since 1650. Linking the Honors section of
SOCY 1100 and ENGL 2221, the learning community asked first- and second-year students to
consider how sociology and literary studies reflect and complement each other. Faculty and
studies studied how structural-functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, social
exchange theory, postmodernism, and social construction of reality are reflected in literary works
by Voltaire, Moliere, Whitman, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Kafka, Borges, Camus, Rilke, and others.
10 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
This learning community provided students with the six hours toward the liberal studies
requirement in culture/civilization exploration. The courses were taught by Drs. Craig White and
Rhonda Sanford, who occasionally sat in on the lectures and discussions in each other‘s class.
11 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
5. Quiz Bowl
The 2008 Quiz Bowl, hosted by the Honors Program, GEAR-UP, and Kappa Delta Pi,
was held on November 15, 2008 in the Falcon Center conference rooms. A steering committee of
four Honors members—Daniel Bollinger, Megan Walters, Kristin Yoho, and Greg Hayhurst—
planned the event with guidance from Jason Vanfosson and under the supervision of Drs. Angela
Schwer, Gwen Jones, and J. Robert Baker. Six teams from four schools around the region
participated in the competition which was specifically designed for seventh to ninth grade level
students. Question categories included history, math and science, English, and pop culture. Each
category was divided into four fifteen-minute rounds. At the conclusion of the final round, scores
were tallied and the winning team received a plaque. All participants received a Quiz Bowl t-
shirt and a 4GB flash drive. The entire event lasted around five hours.
12 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
6. Trips
Washington, D.C.
The Honors Program Washington DC trip took place on Saturday, September 12, 2009,
with forty-four Honors and international students participating, most notably twenty to thirty
first-year Nepali students. All began the day at the National Gallery of Art, viewing the special
exhibit of wood artist Martin Puryear. After that, students spread out among the museums of the
Smithsonian as their taste dictated. Popular destinations were the Air and Space Museum, and
the Museum of American History. The international students were anxious to tour the iconic US
Capital as well, and most of them did. Overall, the trip was an inter-cultural learning experience,
as the American and Nepali students got to know one another. The enthusiasm of their Nepali
classmates challenged the American students to see US history and culture through new eyes.
Shakespearean Road Trip
The Shakespearean Road Trip took thirty-six students and four faculty members to
Cleveland, Ohio, March 27-28, 2009. Drs. Angela Schwer and Constance Edwards planned the
trip to include theatre, music, and art. On Friday afternoon, the group visited the Rock ‗n‘ Roll
Hall of Fame and Museum and had dinner at the Winking Lizard in downtown Cleveland. The
evening‘s entertainment was a tough choice between Rossini‘s opera The Barber of Seville or
Shakespeare‘s play Comedy of Errors. Either choice led students to Cleveland‘s Playhouse
Square and to the ornately designed buildings well-suited for dramatic performances. Despite
the late hour, the bus ride back to the hotel was filled with excited chatter about the
performances. On Saturday morning, road trippers explored the Cleveland Museum of Art,
which despite being under renovation, still had many treasures including two special exhibits:
13 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
one dedicated to the works of American photographer Lee Friedlander; the other entitled Art and
Power in the Central African Savanna. Before returning to Fairmont, the group lunched in
Cleveland‘s Little Italy, an historic district filled with shops, galleries and restaurants featuring
authentic Italian cuisine. Pizza, however, was among the students‘ favorite dishes. The trip was
a success because it combined popular and high culture, involved students from all over campus,
and doubled the number of participants from last year. Dr. Edwards said, ―We hope to have as
many interested students for next year‘s trip!‖
Study Abroad Course: Rome
Ten students, accompanied by Honors Program Director J. Robert Baker and Associate
Provost Christina Lavorata, visited Rome and Florence during spring break, March 14 – 21,
2009. During the eight weeks preceding the trip, students researched persons, places, and events
that would be noted during the trip; they read The Romans, an Introduction, by Antony Kamm,
to give them a sense of the history and culture of Rome; and they had visits from four guest
lecturers who were experts in art, religion, geography or architecture.
The visit to Rome began outside the Vatican, where students listened to the Pope‘s
Sunday address in several languages. They then attended Mass in Saint Peter‘s Basilica.
Other sites visited in Rome included the Coliseum and Roman Forum, Castel San
Angelo, Ars Pacis, the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Necropolis, the Pantheon,
Piazza Navona, Fountain of Trevi, and the churches of St. John Lateran, St. Peter in Chains, St.
Mary Major, and San Clemente/Mithraeum. Students were also granted an official visit to the
American Embassy.
The day in Florence included three museums: Uffizi Palace, Il Duomo, and Accademia,
as well as the Medici family chapel, the Church of Saint Mary of Flowers, and street markets.
14 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
During the remainder of the semester, travelers shared their experience with current and
incoming Honors students who might like to participate in a study/travel course in the future,
presented posters at the International Student Fair, and participated in the Celebration of Student
Scholarship sponsored jointly by the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, the
Undergraduate Research and Honors Programs, and the Office of Academic Affairs.
HEPC Trip to Quebec
Five students from Fairmont State participated in the High Education Policy
Commission's international experience in Quebec. First-year Honors students, Scott Barner,
Shasta Gibson, Nick Oliveto, and Michelle Yost, were joined by fellow student Crist Mentzer, Jr.
for a week of study in Quebec just after the spring term ended. Billed as An Introduction to the
Political and Cultural Identity of Canada and Quebec, the study tour was a continuation of the
HEPC's effort to promote study abroad opportunities and to internationalize West Virginia
college campuses. West Virginia State University, Marshall University, West Virginia
University, and the Université de Laval in Quebec City collaborated to host the week. Students
participated in a one-day pre-departure video conference and orientation before traveling to
Quebec via Niagara Falls. They earned a credit hour for the experience.
15 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
16 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
7. Undergraduate Research
Grant Recipients
Eric Langer, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (English – Summer, 2008)
Joseph Barnosky, Undergraduate Research Recipient (English - Spring, 2009)
Amie Kirk, Undergraduate Research Recipient (English - Spring, 2009)
Jason Vanfosson, Undergraduate Research Recipient (English - Spring, 2009)
Presenters at the Celebration of Student Scholarship in April, 2009
Scott Barner, Nursing
Joseph Barnosky, English
Daniel Bollinger, Computer Science
Crystal Conner, Theatre
Aaron Deese, Education
Samantha Huffman, Education
Jason Noland, Education
Nick Oliveto, Political Science
Dana Sayre, French
Jennifer Stafford, Education
Jessica Stanley, Education
Laura Sudlow, Education
Jason Vanfosson, English
Kim Veit, Non-Degree
Meg Walters, Psychology
8. Internships and Senior Projects
Kayla Davis Therapeutic Modalities Used on the Dual Diagnosis Residential Treatment
Program at Chestnut Ridge Center
The Effect of Gender on Diffusion of Responsibility
Megan Fitzwater Authorization and Appropriations
Internship at The Potomac Advocates (Washington, DC)
Amie Kirk United Way Internship (Fairmont, West Virginia)
The Influences and Impacts of Civil Disobedience
Jason Vanfosson Mean Girls, Third-Wave Feminism, and Rape in Veronica Mars
Moby-Dick and Popular Culture: Problematic (re)Imaging
Joseph Facemire Research on VENONA Project
Dana Sayre Senior Theatre Recital
Joshua Boyd Internship at the Youth Academy (Fairmont, West Virginia)
Sierra Gard Highly Sensitive Persons: Fairmont, West Virginia
Socio-Cultural Impacts of Tourism: Leuven, Belgium
Jason Noland Senior Recital Research in Music
Wigs and Hair for 1776
Joshua Bradley Internship at Azimuth Incorporated
Heat Transfer II Research
18 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
The Washington Center – Presidential Inauguration
In January 2009, seven-hundred and fifty college students from across the country
attended the Presidential Inauguration Seminar hosted by The Washington Center, a non-profit
independent organization which offers internships and academic seminars in Washington D.C.
Of this national assembly were four Fairmont State University Honors students: Robert Bolton,
Molly Born, Nick Oliveto, and Jessica Stanley. With the generous support of the Honors
Program and the Fairmont State University Foundation, they arrived at D.C. on January 10, 2009
to attend lectures by leaders in all forms of the political field – from notable journalists Sam
Donaldson, Bret Baier, and Bob Schieffer to politicians like then-press secretary, Dana Perino;
Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani; and former Governor of West
Virginia and founder of the PROMISE scholarship, Bob Wise. C-Span was present for two of the
ten days of lectures and filmed student's exchange with the lectures. Robert Bolton and Nick
Oliveto were two of those students featured! The four attendees were also taken on daily site
visits, which catered to their political interests, to meet those who worked in Washington. Their
trips included Republican National Committee and the French Embassy (where they met and
talked with the Ambassador from France). The seminar, focused on the election of Barack
Obama, the methods his campaign used, and an examination of the office of the presidency itself,
culminated in the Inauguration and. Each student had a ticket to the Inauguration and witnessed
the swearing-in of President Obama from only a few hundred yards away. The four attendees
received three hours of credit for their trip, and Molly Born is currently spending the summer
with the The Washington Center as an intern with the Québec Government Office. Robert
Bolton, Molly Born, Nick Oliveto, and Jessica Stanley would like to thank the Honors program
and the Foundation for the willing assistance in their travels. (pictures on following page)
19 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
Robert Bolton and Nick Oliveto
Nick Oliveto and Molly Born
20 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
9. Awards and Prizes
Brittany Bailey Wendell G. Hardway Award for Excellence in Teacher Education
Molly Born Outstanding Student in Journalism
Outstanding Student in French
Kitty Dixon Board of Governors Scholarship
Joseph Facemire National Security & Intelligence Award
Xinyu Hu Joyce H. Coleman Memorial Scholarship
Renee LaRue Margaret MacLuckie Memorial Scholarship
Jenna Maphis Nancy Marie Duling Memorial Teacher Education Scholarship
Crystal Omregcik Board of Governors Scholarship
Joshua Posey Outstanding Senior in Information Systems
Kristin Rausch Eleanor M. Ford Outstanding Senior
Ernest Fry Outstanding Student in Computer Science
James A. LaRue Mathematics Award
Garrett Sausen Board of Governors Scholarship
Dana Sayre Outstanding Student in Communication and Theatre Arts
Michael Sink Vincent & Catherine Sansalone Scholarship
Laura Sudlow Haddon & Nettie Morgan Rhodes Scholarship
Jason Vanfosson Outstanding Student in English
Kristin Yoho Haddon & Nettie Morgan Rhodes Scholarship
21 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
10. Graduates
Kayla Davis, Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Megan Fitzwater, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and National Security &
Intelligence
Amie M. Kirk, Bachelor of Arts in English
Jason D. Vanfosson, Bachelor of Arts in English
Joseph R. Facemire, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and National Security &
Intelligence
Dana N. Sayre, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
Jenna L. Maphis, Bachelor of Arts in Education (Elementary Education)
Jami K. Nelson, Bachelor of Arts in Education (Elementary Education)
Jason A. Noland, Bachelor of Arts in Education (Music)
22 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
11. Honors Association
Officers
President Jason Vanfosson
Vice-President Reggie Jose
Secretary / Treasurer Megan Walters
Mentoring Chair Michael Kittle
Community Service Chair Kiley Wilfong
Director Dr. J. Robert Baker
Mentoring
The mentoring program was a huge success, and every year, the success stories grow as
more students apply for Fairmont State University. The mentor chair, Michael Kittle, has heard
positive remarks about the mentoring program, from the mentors and those being mentored. For
the 2008 to 2009 school year, there were eighty-five individuals being mentored by twenty-four
mentors; each mentor aided three to four students during the year. The mentor program reaches
out to the best and brightest students from around the world. Students attended FSU from as far
away as Florida and Oklahoma, and internationally, the Honors‘ Program included an individual
from Nepal.
Community Service
The Honors program continued to be an organization committed to community service
through their recycling efforts. This year Honors was the runner-up in the campus-wide
recycling competition for Students Taking Action in Natures Defense‘s (STAND) Earth Day
festivities. Also, the community service chairperson, Kiley Wilfong, encouraged students to
23 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
focus their energies on the Fairmont State community by asking students to donate bath towels to
the Vet Tech program.
Social Events
The Honors Association continued to foster the social support that students need
throughout the academic year. Honors, as always, kicked off with a back-to-school event. This
year Honors held an ice cream social for all Honor students and provided mentors and mentees
with an opportunity to get to meet each other and other members of the program. This social
support continued with the trip to Washington, D.C. After this, Honors sponsored a director‘s
talk dinner for the Fairmont State Masquers‘ production of The Mandrake. Director John
O‘Connor gave a talk at the dinner about the performance. Honors concluded the fall semester
with the return of the Winter Feast. This event allowed students to cook food and play a gift
game to celebrate the holidays with one another before entering finals week and departing for the
term.
The spring term brought more social opportunities, but in the form of trips to various
locations. Some students went to Rome on spring break and some students traveled to Ohio for
the Shakespearean Road Trip.
The Honors Association attempted to start a book club to create another space for
students to meet socially and discuss issues important to them and the current political,
economic, and social climate. After a lack of participation at the first meeting, however, the
students decided not to pursue this idea, but rather put it on hold for next year.
24 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
Contributors
Dr. Christina Lavorata, Associate Provost
Dr. Connie Edwards, Professor of Music
Dr. Angela Schwer, Professor of English
Jason Vanfosson, President of the Honors Association
Reggie Jose, Vice-President of the Honors Association
Daniel Bollinger, Honors Resident Assistant
Michael Kittle, Mentoring Chairperson
Nick Oliveto, First-Year Honor Student
Eliza Huff, First-Year Honor Student
Dr. J. Robert Baker, Director of Honors
25 | P a g e 2008-2009 Honors Report
