James Madison University

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- Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi

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JMU HONORS PROGRAM

251 Warren Service Drive
MSC 1501
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Hillcrest House

540.568.6953
540.568.7728
540.568.8079 (fax)

E-mail: honors@jmu.edu

Office hours:
Mon.-Fri., 8:00am-5:00pm

2011 Program News

Shannon Rano, a freshman honors student majoring in political science, enjoys being a member of JMU's women's soccer team. When asked how she manages to attain such a high level of success in multiple pursuits, Shannon said:

"My dad always said to me 'there is absolutely no substitute for hard work.' I have a passion for the game of soccer and an intense motivation to succeed academically. So, I set a very high standard for myself both in the classroom and on the soccer field and I strive to do everything I can to not only reach that standard but to exceed it." (12-19-11)

Alex Stinson (center), current Honors students and Wikipedia Ambassador, attended Wikimania 2011 in Haifa, Israel, during the summer. See photos and videos of the event. Alex made a presentation for the Wikipedia and Higher Education Conference. See his powerpoint presentation and read his comments about his experience. (11-7-11)

Kelly Brown ('06), a lawyer who practices disability law for the federal government in Arlington, Va, recently joined the Honors Advisory Council. Her fiance is also a JMU graduate. (10-26-11)

The 42 students who particpated in the 2011 Florence and London Honors Seminars presented summaries of their on-site research at a symposium held at JMU on September 9, 2011. (10-24-11)

Claire Lo (’12), an Honors Scholar and a Dingledine Scholar, as part of her Senior Honors Project, will give a lecture recital on Saturday, November 5 at 6:00pm in Anthony-Seeger Auditorium. She will discuss the French composer, Olivier Messiaen, and his two-piano work, Visions de l'Amen, and then perform a portion of the work. (10-19-11)

The Honors Student Program Board (HSPB) has several exciting activities planned. (1) The peer mentoring program (HOP) will hold its second event of the semester on Oct. 30 at 3pm in Shenanadoah Hall. This get acquainted event for honors freshmen and their peer mentors will also offer a time for students to receive information about the registration process coming up in early November. Following up on Dr. Shanahan's 4-year curriculum plan informational session Oct. 5, this event will allow freshmen to talk to upperclassmen to get further help. (2) A Relay for Life team has been established for the Honors Program. Anyone (both honors and non-honors) may sign up online to participate and to donate. All are welcome! (3) They are also exploring fundraising ideas to gain money for HPSB activities and to donate to their relay team. (10-17-11)

Dan Richardson, an junior Honors Scholar, is among ten Virginians selected to participate in the fall White House internship program. The program provides an opportunity to gain professional experience and build leadership skills. Interns work in departments ranging from the Offices of Cabinet Affairs and the Chief of Staff to the Offices of the First Lady and the Vice President. Other departments include the Presidential Personnel Office and the National Economic Council. (10-7-11)

JMU’s Honors Program Director, Barry Falk, will be attending the National Collegiate Honors Council’s 2011 Conference in Phoenix on October 19-23. As a member of the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee, he will be participating in meetings of those two groups. Dr. Falk will also be giving a presentation on “Creating and Sustaining an Effective External Advisory Board,” participating in a panel discussion on “Beyond Books: Honors Pedagogy and Technology,” and working in the Conference’s Consultant Center. (10-5-11)

The Honors Advisory Council met on campus September 30 for a full day of discussions, offering suggestions to program directors, participating in a panel for pre-law students, receiving reports from the Development Office regarding the status of program scholarships, listening to activities reports from student leaders, and working in committees to find ways to interact with students and to help the honors program. They also reported on the reception for incoming Honors students that HAC hosted in Richmond during the summer and provided a notebook describing the event for future reference. Several members stayed in town to attend JMU's football game the next day. (10-5-11)

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