Explore. Create. Experience. Minnesota State University Moorhead Honors Program
Honors
NEWSLETTER FALL 2017
MSUM Honors Program Tri College Class By Dorothy Pihlaja, Honors Executive Council This past semester myself, and three other honors program students, attended a Tri-College honors class at NDSU. Topics in Photography -- From Balloons to Drones: Aerial Photography and its Applications not only taught us how to fly UAVs (drones), but also gave us an opportunity to make connections outside of MSUM’s program. Through the class, we were able to go out and fly UAVs at a Valley RC Flyers club, and other locations throughout North Dakota.
Letter from the Director
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appy Holidays from the Honors Program! My gift to you all is the Fall Newsletter to enjoy over the break. I am so impressed with the stories of student and faculty excellence, achievement, and activity, and so I want to remind you all- from this issue of “Stefan’s Corner” - that the Honors Program is what you make of it. We will do our best to offer you outstanding experiences, unique courses, flexibility, and rewards. In this newsletter, read about student research and conferences, tri-college and travel courses, and
community outreach. And remember, the Honors Program has many rewards including priority registration, recognition at commencement and on transcripts, free activities, tours, and socials, and access to exclusive program scholarships. It’s up to you to take advantage of these opportunities to make the very best of your undergraduate experience! Elizabeth Nawrot, Ph.D. Honors Program Director more inside...
Explore. Create. Experience.
An Interview with Shireen Alemadi, Assistant From left to right: Caleb Logemann, Dr. James Rossmanith, Mariana Harris, Stefan Nelson, Camile Felton, Ian Pelakh
My REU Experience
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By Stefan Nelson, Honors Executive Council his past summer, I was selected to attend Iowa State University’s research experience for undergraduates (REU) program in mathematics. There, I worked with Dr. James Rossmanith along with 3 other students on a project to model shockwaves using partial differential equations (specifically, using a numerical method called the Discontinuous Galerkin scheme) in the python programming language. It was an excellent experience and has encouraged me to apply to graduate school for Fall 2018. I will be heading to the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) in San Diego, CA from January 10th through January 13th to help present my group’s poster. JMM is the largest gathering of mathematicians in the nation, and has presentations in practically every subfield of mathematics during the week.
Director for Community Outreach & Engagement By Nicole Skwira, Honors Executive Council Nicole: Tell me about your previous education history. Shireen: I attended MSUM and graduated with a Biology degree with an emphasis in Ecology and Field Biology. While at MSUM I did undergraduate research with Brian Wisenden and our work was published in the International Journal “Behaviour”. I went to graduate school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and have my Masters in Biology – my thesis was on mosquitofish dispersal. My thesis work was also published. Other research I have done since school has also been published. Nicole: How did you start teaching at MSUM? Shireen: After I graduated from UCF I moved back to the Fargo Moorhead area and starting looking for jobs. In Fall of 2006 I was contacted by some Biosciences Faculty that knew I was back in town. They needed some adjunct teaching done for a night course in the Spring. After that I continued to teach each semester. After 2015 I shifted to my new role of Outreach and Engagement. Nicole: How did you transition to community outreach? Shireen: During my time as a faculty member in Biosciecnes and then Chemisity/Biotechnology I was involved in a lot of outreach for the departments. Also, when I was a faculty member I took over the MSUM College for Kids & Teens program when Continuing Studies closed. I have always enjoyed being able to see kids learn and engage with new ideas while also having fun. Whether it is working with K-8 students coming to campus or going out into the continue...
Minnesota State University Moorhead Honors Program FM Community for events such as the Fargo Marathon, Frostival or Boo at the Zoo we love getting more MSUM students and faculty engaged with the community. Nicole: How did you get involved with the honors program? Shireen: I was asked by Dr. Nawrot. Through different meetings and events we got to know each other and she asked if I would like to teach the Honors 102 course. I said sure! At least that is how I remember it – you would have to ask her if she remembers it a different way. In the last few years I have been able to oversee some Honors Apprentice students and they have been so great to work with and mentor. Nicole: Why do you enjoy working with honors students? Shireen: Because they are awesome! But I think all MSUM students are….so maybe that isn’t fair. I have always been impressed with the grit of Honors students to go above and beyond to have an intensive and engaging college experience. Nicole: What about your involvement this year with the program? Shireen: This year, so far, I attended the Night at the Museum event. I really enjoyed getting a personal tour of the Rourke in Moorhead and learning more about the art and artists that were featured. I am excited to attend it again next year. Nicole: What’s your favorite part of working with community and/or students on campus?
Stefan’s Corner with Program Assistant Stefan Nelson, Math
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ello fellow Dragons! With next semester quickly approaching, I wanted to give some quick pieces of advice. When choosing which 3 Honors seminars to take (which are in addition to Colloquium and Capstone), keep in mind that they all fulfill LASC goals of some sort. For example, HON 324: Life and Death in the Universe is a LASC 3 class with a lab component included. Finally, take it from me, the Honors Program is what you make of it. Our program is both a vessel to explore a variety of different subjects and a community of individuals who share a desire to make the most out of their college experience. Take advantage of these. Broaden your horizons through these unique classes and Encounters events, and meet some incredible individuals along the way. When I was a freshman, for example, I went to almost all of the Encounters events just for the sake of learning something new. Later on, I used my Honors contract work to start a research project in astronomy, and I also became a member of the Honors Executive Council. Some students see Honors as another item on their list of things to do: I believe that it can be much more than that. Have a great rest of the semester!
Shireen: Giving back, seeing personal growth, creating community engagement opportunities and building connections. Nicole: What benefits of the honors program do you think are important in student success/involvement on campus? Shireen: The Honors Program is very proactive about engaging students in ways that lead to connection on campus and in the community. Those connections lead to students that form stronger relationships and success. Nicole: What are some upcoming events next semester that you are excited about? (With community outreach or honors) Shireen: The FMWF Frostival is always exciting – students (often Chem Club) will come and teach all the community members and kids about the science behind the making of Dippin’ Dots. And who doesn’t love the end product of eating Dippin’ Dots Nicole: How can students connect with you to get involved and what opportunities are available? Shireen: I have a wide variety of things going on throughout the school year and the summer that students can help out with. Students can connect with me via email (alemadsh@ mnstate.edu) to ask about upcoming opportunities. * * *
From left to right: Allie Heisler, Becca Paul, Dr. Nancy Paul, Dr. Mary Drake.
My Trip to Los Angeles By Alexandra Heisler
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had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Los Angeles, CA this semester to present research at the National ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) Convention as part of my Honor’s Apprenticeship. I traveled there with Dr. Nancy Paul, Dr. Mary Drake, and student Becca Paul to present our qualitative study regarding the experiences of college students with hearing loss. It was a really cool experience! At the conference, I was also able to attend various educational seminars where I was able to learn more about social regulation and communication disorders related to individuals with autism. Approximately 15,000 speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other related professionals attended the conference from across the country!
Honors Program 1104 7th Avenue South Moorhead, Minnesota 56563
Spring Honors Course Contract: Hum 320 Grand Tour of Taiwan
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SUM is hosting a spring 2018 class and a May/June 1018 tour of the most fascinating, historical, and cultural sites on the island of Taiwan. You will learn through a pre-tour class and a nearly month long visit to Taiwan. With an emphasis in language skills or business there is something for everyone. Open to all majors and no language experience needed. Join us at the info meeting for a preview. You can select a language option and receive an immersion experience. Daily lessons with native speakers and do your homework on the streets of Taipei. Practice your new vocabulary while ordering your dinner from the local population. Or you can select the business option and visit some of the most important companies on the island. Potential site visits include Cathay United Bank, Evergreen Container, Kerry Pharma, Amway, EVA Airlines, FoxcConn, Gogoro Scooters, HTC, Asus, Giant Bicycles, and more. The class is now being offered as HUM 320. You will get LASC credit in 6, 8, and it is WI. Grand Tour of Taiwan Informational Meetings are 11/30 at 3:00 in MA370 & 12/4 at 11:00 in MA370 & 12/5 at 12:00 in MA 373 Join us at the information meeting or email the tour leader Professor Stutes at stutes@mnstate.edu.
Website: mnstate.edu/honors Office: MacLean 374C Email: honors@mnstate.edu
SPRING 2018
Phone: 218.477.4104
Hon 102 Encounters (multiple sections)
Director: Elizabeth Nawrot, nawrot@mnstate.edu
Hon 312 Journeys in Literature (LASC 6) Hum 320/ Hon 3xx Grand Tour of Taiwan with summer travel (LASC 6, 8, WI) • Taken as an honors contract Hon 324 Life and Death in the Universe (LASC 3) Hon 492 Capstone (LASC 9/WI) • Or substitute for Capstone with a contract: Eng 496 Virtue and Vice in Gothic Storytelling (LASC 9/WI)
Assistant: Stefan Nelson, nelsonste@mnstate.edu Honors Executive Council: Stefan Nelson, Nicole Skwira, Dorothy Pilhaja, Kalen Day, Bex Benjamin, Andy Block, Alheen Mahmud Honors Learning Community Mentor: Akira Shastri, shastriak@mnstate.edu
Honors Apprentice Scholarship Program: Website: mnstate.edu/honors-apprentice Email: nawrot@mnstate.edu Undergraduate Research Website: mnstate.edu/undergraduateresearch Email: undergraduateresearch@mnstate.edu
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DATES TO REMEMBER: ▸ Dec 5 – last day of classes
FALL 2018 (anticipated) Encounters (multiple sections)
• turn in final Hon102 Encounter reports and get Hon course contracts signed
FYE/Honors section for freshman
▸ Dec 14 – Commencement
Hon 492
▸ Jan 8 – Classes begin
Capstone (LASC 9/WI)
Thank you to so many talented faculty who instructed classes or participated in Honors Program activities this year: Laura Fasick (English), Annette Morrow (History), Oscar Flores (Econ), Marilea Bramer (Philosophy), Nathan Clarke (History), Konrad Czynski (Humanities), Shireen Alemadi (Outreach), Tony Adah (Film Studies), Brian Wisenden (Biosciences), Kevin Zepper (English), Stacy Voeller (Library), Janet Haak (Study Abroad), and Lisa Nawrot (Psychology).
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Honors Program 2018 Class Schedule
Hon 102
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Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is a member of the Minnesota State system.