OU Honors College NEWS Fall 2014

Honors Newsletter U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

KERR MCCLENDON

O K L A H O M A

F A L L

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Student Profile: Nikke Deyear’s Summer Internship in DC Q: Nikke, thanks so much for agreeing to speaking with me about some of your recent experiences. To start us off, tell us where you are from and how you ended up coming to OU. I am originally from Dallas, TX. My parents and one of my younger brothers still live in Plano, which is a suburb just to the north of the city, so right in the middle of the

JOE C. AND CAROLE

metroplex!

My plan was never to come to OU, but I am glad that I made the decision to do so. When I graduated high school, I wanted to move as far away as possible; I was about half an hour away from committing to Wellesley when I decided to take the opportunity at OU instead. I hate to say that it came Continued on p2

HONORS COLLEGE INSIDE THIS EDITION Student Profile: Nikke Deyear Honors Student Association News Faculty Profile: Dr. Andreana Prichard New Chess and Croquet Clubs Formed Honors Research Opportunities Alumni: Trisha Lepa and Trevor Ramsey Upcoming New Honors Courses Intersession Course Announcement Honors-Specific Advising Engineering Advising Honors Alumni e-mentoring Events Calendar 5 Ways to Help Honors College Notes

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Nikke Deyear, cont down to money, but being on scholarship for my undergraduate allowed me to pay for college myself and spend more time looking at potential graduate schools.

Q: I’m glad you picked us over Wellesley. What are you majoring in and when do you expect to graduate?

I am in the Accelerated Bachelors/ Masters program in the College of International Studies. My concentration is Global Security and I have a minor in Spanish. The program takes five years, but right now I am planning on graduating in four and a half.

Q: What do you hope to do in your career?

Brian, this is such a scary question.

One of my new passions is food and nutrition. I love talking about food, learning about how it affects our bodies, and gaining insight into the social justice aspect of the food that we eat. My goal is to combine my love for travel and culture with my passion for nutrition and food security and to work in the international non-governmental organization community to promote these causes.

Q: Let’s switch over to you summer internship. What was it and what did you do?

This summer I worked as a US Department of State intern in the Office of the US Mission to the United Nations. It's a huge mouthful, so we usually just referred to it by the acronym "USUN."

Q: How did you find out about this tion process. The offer is conditionopportunity, and what was the al and contingent upon passing a application process? background check. Mine happened State Department summer intern- to be a little more extensive than ships open applications every fall, most, and a federal investigator typically in September. Information ended up giving some friends and family a bit of a scare, including a on internships is easily accessible from the State Department's web- very concerned professor of mine. site. I've had a couple of friends in Once that is all done, you have the past do internships through the your final offer and can pack your bags to D.C. and head off to StuDepartment, and internships are dent Orientation! widely advertised in the College of International Studies. It's early to Q: What did you actually do once be thinking about an internship, you got to DC? but since the applicant pool is so During the week, I fell into a deficompetitive, it's necessary! There nite routine. D.C. culture moves are also Fall and Spring internships quickly, and everyone works hard that are less competitive, but those and is all about happy hour, but is require that you be in D.C. for the also all about going to bed early. I entire semester. When applying, reported for work every morning at you choose two preferences for 8am, which meant I left the George offices or bureaus that you are in- Washington University dorms terested in working for. I was lucky where I was staying at about enough to get my first choice, but 7:45am for the walk down to the it doesn't always happen that way! State Department building.

The deadline for applications is pretty early, so somewhere around This might make me sound old, but the end of November or December since I like getting up early and going for a run before I start my day, I you will hear from bureaus interwent to bed at 9:30pm and woke ested in interviewing you. I hapup at 5:30am pretty much every pened to be living abroad at the time so my interview was a phone day during the week. We would occasionally go for walks around call that took place at my host mother's kitchen table in the mid- the monument or go out for happy dle of Lima, Peru while heavy con- hour after work, but mostly my roommates and I went grocery struction was taking place in the room from next door. Needless to shopping, made dinner, hit up local say, the Department was quite ac- farmers markets, and hung out commodating so don't worry about ranting about our days in our common room. The weekends were all being out of the country for the application process! Once an office about seeing has decided to extend an offer, you Continued on p3 are still not done with the applicaHonors Newsletter 2

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Nikke Deyear, cont D.C.! I love the city and was grateful for the opportunities I had to do things like go kayaking on the Potomac, riding my bike down the George Washington trail, and watching Fourth of July fireworks from the Jefferson Monument. At work, my job mostly consisted of preparing high level meeting paperwork for the Deputy and the Ambassador when they came down from New York. I also spent time running the

Room and was able to tell us more about the people who worked there than most people would have known.

ternational traveling. However, in all my travels, I've never felt so much like a southerner than when I was in D.C. My parents are from Q: What did you learn about your- the north: my mom is from Iowa and my dad was born in the Bronx, self during this internship?

NY. Subsequently, my brothers and There is a lot about D.C. culture I have never considered ourselves that fits my personality and work truly "southern" because our roots ethic. I loved the history and culare from Texas. But after one ture of the area, and the common memorable afternoon spent with my hard-talking Connecticut-born roommate, who exclaimed with awe at the end of the day that I schedule for the Deputy, which alwas the friendliest person she had ever met, I realized there are some lowed me to meet some really neat innately "southern" parts about people in other bureaus around me. the Department.

Yes, I compulsively use "thank The other intern and I would also you", "ma'am", "sir", "you're weldo projects for some of the policy come", and the occasional "after advisers in the office. Some of it you." Yes, I talk to strangers on the meant going to meetings for them metro and in the grocery store line. and taking notes, or researching Yes, I also talk to strangers on the past US policy in other countries. street who are trying to sell things, We also did a lot of work for the sign things, protest things, etc. No, Congressional Correspondent, I don't actually think it's abnormal. which meant following press reYes, it might have been a little exleases from various Senators and cessive on occasion. People where I Representatives. It was all very ingrew up don't ignore each other in consensus for an early bedtime teresting and gave me a good inpublic; we hold doors for each othwas definitely a perk. However, I sight into how the White House, did get in trouble quite a few times er, go out of our way to tell someState Department, and Congress one they dropped their kid's pacififor saying "ma'am" and "sir!" work together on foreign policy er, and make it a point to say hello.

My parents valued travel and exissues. ploration and did their best while That's just not the culture in the My boss was great and I loved my brothers and I were growing up Northeast, and D.C. falls into that working for him. One of the highculture more than southern culto expose us to different areas of lights was the day he took the oththe country. I have been to almost ture. I knew this before living er intern and I on a tour of the there; my dad, after all, is from the all fifty states and spent a fair West Wing. He was possibly the amount of time in several of them. Northeast best tour guide ever; he spends Continued on p4 I've also done some of my own inhours every day in the Situation Honors Newsletter 3

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Nikke Deyear, cont and I love the area. So it wasn't a shock to me at all. It doesn't mean that people aren't as nice outside of the South, it just means it's expressed differently. The new part for me was realizing that, opposite of what I thought about myself, I truly do identify with Southern culture, at least to an extent. Perhaps my open friendliness has more to do with my mother's personality than my hometown. Either way, it was a bit of a surprise for me to realize I missed other people who also know their local bankers by name!

Honors Student Association News

As far as a D.C. centered career goes, I plan to leave that door open. I still have contact with the people I worked with this summer and I would recommend that for anyone who has a summer internship in Washington D.C. I loved my experience and am glad that I had the opportunity to see what it would be like to work in Washington. I still love the city and don't plan to ever stop traveling or exploring.

Right now, my focus has been on my local community, which at the moment happens to be Norman, OK. Being involved with local nonprofits here through my work with The Oklahoma Group and my own volunteering is rewarding, and allows me to invest in a community whose people I adore. My goal is to translate that kind of personal, community growth into work that focuses on a global mindset with a local impact.

October 24: H.S.A. Trip to Chickasha’s Corn Maize Recent H.S.A. events have also included an Honors Trivia Night, a lecture by Dr. Brian Johnson entitled “Banned Books: The Censorship of Literature in the US and the UK,” and a Movie Night featuring “Mean Girls.”

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Faculty Profile: Dr. Andreana Prichard I spoke recently with Dr. Andreana Prichard to learn more about her background, teaching, and research.

travelled a lot internationally, work- and I think I’m much more of a ing with historically underreprebeach girl. sented students and doing precollege camps for Hispanic and na- Q: So, straight out of Northwesttive students. Once I decided to ern, you came to Oklahoma. What Q: Where are from what do you pursue history as a career, I left was that like for you? consider home?

New York to attend Northwestern University in Chicago. I was there I think one thing that surprised me AP: I grew up in Ventura, California, for seven years and about for about about Oklahoma is that I’ve made a a beach town. In High School I two of those years I was living in or group of friends that is so diverse, knew that I wanted to study history, travelling to Tanzania to do reculturally, religiously, and socioecoand I was also a competitive swim- search and language study. I gradu- nomically. More diverse than anymer. I went to Kenyon College in ated in 2011 and moved to OU. where else I’ve lived. That has been Ohio, where I continued such a pleasant surprise to swim and studied hisand there is also a hip tory and that’s where I aspect to Oklahoma got interested in African that I hadn’t expected. I History. We had two mean the number of really good African Hishipsters in Oklahoma torian professors who City! There are so many were both very involved restaurants to go to, in the anti-apartheid there are these food struggle. Hearing those truck districts, there’s stories and learning art events in Norman about how you can tell and Okc, and there’s African history through stuff to do all the time these really interesting and I had not expected creative nontraditional Dr. Prichard talks to a secondary school student about that. In Chicago everysources got me interestthing was so far away HIV/AIDS in rural Kisumu Region, Kenya. ed in Africa. and you had to take the ”L” and I didn’t have any money Q: So African history was not origi- Q:So are you a west coaster or an since I was in graduate school and nally what you were shooting for? east coaster? How do you perceive now I’m making a little bit more yourself? money and it’s easier to go places AP: No, I just thought that I would and stuff is cheap so I end up doing major in history and then go on to AP: I think that, temperamentally, I really fun stuff! medical school. After college am very west coast. I like warm though I wasn’t so sure if that was weather, I like wearing flip flops, Q: I’m glad to hear that! Now tell still going to be my plan so I worked and I am laid back in my personal us what you enjoy about the Honfor three years at St. Lawrence Col- life. I don’t like big cities, I don’t ors College. How do you perceive lege in northern New York. I did a move very quickly. The hustle and your role here? lot of international recruiting and bustle is really exhausting to me Continued on p6 Honors Newsletter 5

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Andreana Prichard, cont AP: I think the Honors College is more diverse than we give it credit for. There are so many first generation students here, there are a lot of native students, we have a lot of Pell grant recipients, and we have single parents. We have military students and they are all very high performers but what it meant to be a high performer as a first gen student or a working student is entirely different. What I’ve really enjoyed is seeing that diversity among our students. They are all brilliant and smart and interesting and what I love is that I can show up in class and now that they have all done the reading I can give a quiz and the lowest score is a 95%.

In what other context does that happen?

Q: Yeah, I agree! It’s the first time in my career where I’ve been able to walk and ask “what do you think about X?” And that jump starts a truly great conversation.

AP: It’s so lucky. When I talk to my colleagues in other places they tell me they have to give reading quizzes every day because they want the students to do the reading and even then they don’t always get it.

We are so lucky to have this. And you ask about how I conceive of my role. I have a very romantic vision of what I do, which is introduce students to Africa in such a way that that they will be able to then look at popular perceptions of Africa, policies towards the continent, they can look at conversa-

tions that we have amongst ourselves and their families about Africa and about race and can be very critical of them. You know, it’s kind of an activist stance in some ways.

I want them to be armed to take things on, head on. So for instance, we talk about the history of slavery in my classes, which inevitably leads to conversations about race in the States. For example we had a conversation about Ferguson the other day and that’s what I want students to be able to do is to see these historical legacies between these two events and to trace them.

AP: I do, and I spend the other half telling people that I’m an African historian and they wonder how that could possibly be true since, in their minds, Africa doesn’t have history. The book I open all of my classes with is called African History: a Very Short introduction. It says “there is no such thing as Africa. It’s an idea that we have manufactured.” Pre-colonial Africans did not think of themselves as Africans.

We shouldn’t either, but somehow we’ve come to do that. It’s a history of how and why we’ve come to think about Africa as a homogenous idea.

Q: And that’s not just slippage?

Q: Wow!

AP: Right, that’s where I want them to go. To be able to criticize these things and to be able to engage them and to really question things like Tom’s shoes and to question our response to Ebola and to question all of these things. Perpetuating the inequalities that have been set up over centuries between us and Africa.

AP: There are some commonalities that Africanists use though. Generally speaking, there aren’t very many written sources that have survived from before colonial contact. We have to figure out how to talk about history through oral traditions. And there are some general themes that we draw- the legacy of colonialism for instance, the spread of Christianity. So in that Q: Let me switch gears a bit now sense it’s fair to say that I am a to something I find perplexing. scholar of Africa, but If I tell people Every time we talk, I get the disI’m a scholar of Tanzania or East tinct impression that one of the Africa, which is how I think of mybest things you have to offer is to self, most people don’t know help students not think of Africa where that is, so it stops the conas an undifferentiated mass, but versation. If I talk about Africa as a rather as a lot of discrete societies, whole, that opens the conversation and yet, you are known as an Afri- and allows people to ask more canist. Do you spend half of your questions.. We use really interworking life working against this esting homogenizing notion?

Continued on p7 Honors Newsletter 6

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Andreana Prichard, cont sources to talk about African history. For example, I’ve spent a lot of time reading through church archives. One of the things I found was a set of 100 love letters that were written between an AfricanAnglican priest and a woman who was his lover/cousin/wife. So I have written a chapter of my book based around these fascinating

en whose voices would never have search, and that’s the magic formubeen recorded otherwise, through la- or so people say. Another is much wider themes that I try to get students to develop a sense of historical empathy. So Q: So where are you on this profor example in my sex and love ject? class we talk about bride-wealth, and I spend a lot time laying out AP: I’m on the last chapter, and it’s the demographic realities that progoing out for review in October. duced a system of bride-wealth exchange. In that, students come to see bride-wealth exchange not as buying women but as compensation for the lost labor, for the lost contributions, for the lost benefits that a woman makes to her community-a woman is so valuable to a community that her loss has to be compensated, so it’s not about buying a woman, it’s about something totally different.

Q: Do some students push back on that?

AP: Not once they understand that a low land to labor ratio in precolonial Africa gave rise to a system Dr. Andreana Prichard with a Sister in the Chama cha Mariamu Mta- where people are the basis of wealth, rather than land. And so it katifu (Order of the Blessed Mary), in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. becomes evident why people letters. We can actually talk about Q: Okay. Now I want to talk would invest so heavily in individupolitical and social history through about your teaching. I don’t know als because of their unique capacithese kinds of sources which were if you know this, but you seem to ties and knowledge not intended to be use like that, or have a good reputation around to be read at all! I use these letters here with students.

Q: And does this also give stuto tell interesting historical stories dents insights into where they are but I can also use them to tell sto- AP: Good! from? ries of people who wouldn’t have their stories told otherwise. No Q: So, what is the secret sauce?

AP: Absolutely. And we do the one would ever care about Rose What do you put into your classes same thing when we talk about feand Gideon, except that I have re- to make them work? male circumcision. Students come lated their stories to a much larger into my class thinking about it as history. I can tell the story of wom- AP: I teach about things that I reContinued on p8 Honors Newsletter 7

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Andreana Prichard, cont “female genital mutilation” (FGM) and I refuse that term not because of my own personal views on it, but because it comes from a particular way of understanding the contributions of women to society. To think about it as mutilation is to not understand history. It may be mutilative to some women but that’s not where the practice comes from. I really want students to understand the historical roots of these things that happen in Africa. I want them to see that they have a totally different way of viewing the world that has shaped these institutions. So I hope that students develop a sense of historical empathy and to be able to put themselves into another person’s shoes.

Q: Is it working?

AP: I hope so!

Q: Tell us about your travels. Is it a tough transition, going from here to there and back?

AP: I don’t know but maybe the older I get, the harder some of the realities of life are. Being faced with the inequalities is increasingly difficult. You know, when I was travelling in East Africa one year, I was preparing to go to Zanzibar from the Mainland for a quick research trip. The day before I left there was a terrible, tragic ferry accident in which 250 people died.

The ferry had, apparently, been purchased on E-bay and was not

intended to be used on the open seas, on one of the roughest straits in the world. It was a lake ferry.

After the boat capsized, there were no petrol in the rescue boats, so people—many of whom could not swim—were left to die. Its things like this, that are easily preventable, that really start to wear on you after a while. And the rates of maternal mortality, deaths from malaria, and mortality from diseases and issues that are easily preventable that are so hard to see. But that’s what makes the work that I do so important because I hope to get people think about these things as realities then maybe someday we’ll be able to change that vast inequality.

with you to Africa?

AP: Yes and, for me, it’s really incredible. I developed the Tanzania program at OU, which is now is its third year and I’m really thrilled about that. For students I think it’s a totally transformative experience that has fundamentally changed who they are as people.

We spent time preparing them for what they would experience — both in terms of culture and in terms of day-to-day realities (such as the lack of Western toilets). I think that the students were really well prepared and that they were able to soak up so much.

We’re lucky in the US, and I address this in my classes. We don’t Q: Are you naïve to think that you see that level of poverty here, we could play some role in this, or are don’t see people with end-stage you just optimistic?

AIDS. There, you do, and you see active TB. Things are very different AP: I think I’m optimistic in that I but this is good for students to think I can help change the way a learn. new generation thinks. Making people more aware is the only Q: that must be an eye opener for thing that is going to cause change. them. Okay, we’d better wrap it I’m very cynical about the effect of up now so let me ask- do you have development and humanitarian any final pearls of wisdom for our aid. readers?

Q: Lots of our students are focused on just such efforts.

AP: Ummm… I don’t know if I do! I think one of the things that gets lost sometimes is that there are so AP: I know they are and they abso- many different definitions of suclutely mean well but I think it’s go- cess in life. I worry that people get ing to make much broader scale too caught up in specific definitions policy changes. of success, but there are lots of different ways to be successful and Q: I see. So, do you take students to be happy.

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New Honors College Chess And Croquet Clubs Launched Honors College Chess Club Michael Lutter started the chess club this semester with the help of friends (and fellow “Honors at Oxford” participants) Jared Bond and Jack Thomas, as well as Dean David Ray and Associate Dean Hamerla. The club, which currently has approximately 40-45 members, meets on Thursdays from 6:00pm-7:30pm in Cate 1, room 201.

Michael insists that he is “not one of the better players in the club,” but doesn’t seem to mind since, as he puts it, “the great part about chess is that it is fun and valuable for beginners, experts, and everyone in between. It is a game of strategy, concentration, and decisiveness, and every game is unique.”

Please contact Michael if you would like to find out more or would like to join (regardless of whether you play frequently or don't even know how to play!) at mlutter@ou.edu or 614361-0786.

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Honors College Croquet Club During this year’s “Honors at Oxford” program, students unwound by playing Croquet on the lawn at Brasenose College. Inspired by this fun and challenging game, the students, along with the help of Dr. Melanie Wright, purchased two croquet sets and launched the club earlier this semester. For more information, please find the club on Facebook (“Croquet Club”) or contact Dr. Wright , faculty sponsor, at mwright@ou.edu or 325-0711.

Fall 2014

First Year Research Experience In partnership with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Honors College offers an opportunity for first-year Honors students to participate in laboratory research each Spring. This course, the Honors First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) is open to Honors College students from all majors. If you’re chosen from a competitive application process, you will participate in active laboratory research in Spring 2015.

What’s more, you’ll receive three hours of credit in both Chemistry and Honors for successfully completing the course. Applications are due September 29th, 2014 and can be submitted electronically or to the Honors College main office. Please email electronic applications and send questions to Dr. Rich Hamerla at rhamerla@ou.edu.

Honors College Honors Research Assistant Program The Honors College is pleased to announce the Honors Research Assistant Program (HRAP), providing opportunities for students to work with professors as research assistants on specific projects. The purpose of the program is to involve students in a faculty research project, and teach them how to develop research into a completed project. The focus is on the research process in action, and the connection between research and teaching.

Faculty descriptions of projects are available at http://www.ou.edu/honors/hrap/hrap-listings.htm. The link to the application is at the bottom of that page and available here: http://www.ou.edu/honors/hrap/hrapapp.pdf. Be sure to read “Project details” first. The professor for the project will choose whom to hire and then Dr. Wright will contact new hires with payroll information.

Student assistants are expected to work 10 hours a week for ten weeks beginning Feb. 3 and ending April 18, excluding Spring Break. Assistants will be paid through OU Payroll at the end of February, March, and April.

The total stipend for the ten weeks is $900 (subject to payroll taxes).

Honors College students with at least 15 hours of college credit and at least a 3.40 GPA are eligible to apply.

Contact the Honors College if you have questions (405) 325-5291.

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Fall 2014

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program With the generous support of the Office of the Vice President of Research, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers financial assistance for scholarly and creative projects under the mentorship of a faculty member. Dozens of research projects are funded each year so that undergraduates may undertake ambitious and exciting research endeavors. This competitive program is open to all University of Oklahoma main campus and Health Science Center students who compete for research grants of up to $1,000 each semester. Students and faculty from across the University discover the benefits of these handson research opportunities in laboratories, studios, libraries, and field sites. At the conclusion of their work, UROP recipients present the results of their research or accounts of their work in progress at the Honors College’s Undergraduate Research Day, a professional-like conference held in April of each year.

Research Opportunities Honors Undergraduate Research Journal The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal (THURJ) is a forum in which undergraduate Honors students of all majors have the opportunity to have their work published. THURJ is advised by Dr. Daniel Mains and Dr. Brian Johnson who annually appoint an Editorial Board of about eight Honors students. Announcements about the Editorial Board and submissions are made via the Honors College listserv and Newsletter. Applications for the Editorial Board are usually due in late September or early October; submissions to THURJ are usually due in February with the winners published in the Spring. THURJ welcomes papers from all areas of study.

To submit a paper to THURJ: 

You must be an undergraduate.



You must be an Honors student and/or have written the paper you are submitting in an Honors class.

The paper must be: 

A paper of a length that sufficiently covers the subject addressed.



The paper must be typed.

The paper must be submitted to thurj.ou@gmail.com as a Word attachment by the publicized deadline.

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Fall 2014

Alumni Profiles: Trisha Lepa and Trevor Ramsey Trisha Lepa and Trevor Ramsey are two of my favorite former students. They both hail from the same small town, they both took the same class I taught, and they both ended up working for me, serving as Writing Assistants in the Honors College Writing Center. I recently caught up with Trisha and Trevor to find out what they have been up to since leaving their undergraduate days behind.

Q: What did you major in while at OU and when did you graduate?

Trisha: I graduated with a Psychology degree and minors in Chemistry and Spanish in 2011.

Trevor: I graduated from OU in 2011 with a bachelors in German and a second bachelors in Linguistics.

Q: What do you miss most about OU, Norman, and Honors?

Trisha: I miss the people. I love Norman because it’s filled with tons of people, but still has a comforting, small-town feel to it.

Trevor: While at OU, I loved the homey feeling I felt in both the Honors College and in Kaufman Hall. It was great being able to walk through the halls, seeing familiar people and knowing the professors whose offices I walked past on the way to classes.

Q: What have you been doing since you graduated?

Trisha: I just started my second year of pharmacy school at OU’s Health Science Center in Oklahoma City.

Trevor: Since graduating, I’ve moved to Athens, GA and begun my graduate studies in Linguistics. I’m currently working toward my Ph.D., focusing on the phonetic qualities

of vowels in LGBT speakers.

College. By taking a year off from school, it allowed me to determine Q: How did you decide on your curhow important continuing my edurent path? cation would be. I realized that I Trisha: That’s a great question! My needed more than simply working, I final year of undergrad was difficult because I knew I loved the study of psychology, but I just didn’t feel it was my calling as far as a career. I applied to a handful of graduate programs and I didn’t get in. The rejection was tough and something that I was not used to hearing, but I felt a sense of relief. It was nervewracking graduating from undergrad without a specific plan, but it led me to my current career. I applied to work as a technician in a pharmacy for minimal wage, but this experience quickly led me to wanted to research and be active in realize that I wanted to be a pharthe field I cared about. macist.

Q: What do you like about what Trevor: During my senior year at you are doing now?

OU, I was unsure on what I wanted Trisha: Before stepping foot into a to do after graduation. I was torn pharmacy, I had this pre-conceived between continuing my studies in notion that pharmacists counted graduate school or simply entering pills all day, but the profession is so the workforce. After I graduated, I much more. I really enjoy how took a year off and worked full much interaction that I get to have time. This is something I highly sugwith patients whether it is in a retail gest, especially for students who or hospital setting. People visit took AP/honors classes in high school and were part of the Honors Continued on p13 Honors Newsletter 12

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Trisha and Trevor, cont pharmacies often more frequently Q: Have you changed since your than the doctor’s office and the undergraduate years? If so, in pharmacist is their direct link to ad- what ways? vice regarding their health.

Trisha: Oh goodness, yes! I know Trevor: With a solidified drive to that graduation is daunting, but I continue my studies, I began my felt that I grew the most during the doctoral studies at the University of 1-2 years following undergrad. I left Georgia in the fall of 2012 and I am undergrad with no plans and that extremely happy I chose this path. was terrifying, but it was also a very In addition to taking classes, I also freeing experience. I spent a lot of began teaching, which I enjoy more time working full-time, but also than I expected. I’m generally a in- hanging out with some of my closest friends. I really felt that I began to understand myself better because I was making decisions on my own. When I decided to apply to pharmacy school, I felt a major sense of accomplishment because I had decided it for myself and not because someone else told me to.

Trevor: Since my time as an undergrad I’ve changed in a couple ways. Firstly, I’ve opened up in social situations. I was unbearably shy when I was a freshman. If I could give one piece of advice to my freshman self, it would troverted person, but when teachbe to get out and meet people. OU ing students about linguistics, I has so many different groups and completely change and I’m organizations. I wish I would have excited to share this knowledge stepped out of my comfort zone with others. Starting this semester, more than I did. Since moving to I’ve completed all my coursework, Georgia and being forced into a so I’m only teaching and research- completely new group of people, ing for my dissertation. I’m current- I’ve learned how to meet people ly setting up the methods and back- and build friendships much easier. ground for my data collection, and Q: What do you hope to be doing can’t wait to begin actually interwithin the next year? The next 5 viewing speakers. years?

Honors Newsletter 13

Trisha: I hope to still be in pharmacy school! In the next 5 years?

Hopefully, I’ll be working as a pharmacist! And I hope that I’m still living with my wonderful boyfriend and two adorable kitties.

Trevor: When imagining myself 5 years in the future, there are things I plan on and things I wish to happen. I plan on completing my doctoral studies in the next 2 years. My main hope is that I can find a position open after I complete my studies. I would love to move back closer to home, just so visiting family would be easier, but after moving across the country, I know I’ll be fine wherever I end up. I’d also like to be on the path to having a family in the next 5-10 years.

Q: If you could go back in time, what advice would you have for your freshman self?

Trisha: I would tell myself to branch out and not be afraid of trying new things. Take time to shadow more job opportunities so that you can decide if that’s really the right career for you. Take time for yourself.

Hang out with friends and family.

Make good grades, but a B won’t be the end of the world. I promise.

Don’t stress out so much. I’m serious about that. Just relax!

Enjoy undergrad while you can!

Those four years were filled with a lot of laughter and tears and I wouldn’t trade them, but remember when you graduate undergrad, it’s not the end of the world. The best is yet to come!

Fall 2014

Upcoming New Honors Courses HON 3993.001: “America in the 1970s, ” taught

by Drs. Ben Alpers and Robert Lifset

HON 2970.002: “Academic Habit,” taught by Provost Emeritus Nancy Mergler This course seeks to engage students in the intellectual “Life of the Mind” here at the University of Oklahoma. Students will select from among the many campus events (plays, concerts, recitals, art openings, museum exhibits, scholarly talks, films), attend the 8 events in person, and write 7 short descriptive journal essays and 1 longer interpretative essay about experiences and thoughts regarding the event topic.

In recent years, scholars have begun to argue that the 1970s are a great watershed in American and world history. Crises in energy and politics made the nation question the viability of basic aspects of American life. And enormous changes took place in American economics, diplomacy, and culture. This course will consider both the crises and the changes and will attempt to draw connections between the economic and political history of the period and its cultural history.

Among the topics on which we will focus will be: the legacies of the Sixties, Watergate, the energy crises, the rise of modern conservatism, the rise and fall of New Hollywood cinema, and the urban crisis.

We will meet once each week to have group discussions of these cultural events, and how connecting to this broader intellectual community can inform your more structured educational experiences and your personal development.

HON 3970.002: “American Political Economy: Renaissance or Decline?”

HON 3970.001: “Writing Workshop,” taught by Dr. Brian Johnson

This Presidential Dream Course will be co-taught

by Interim Provost Kyle Harper, Honors Dean David Ray, and Dr. David Chappell, Rothbaum Professor of Modern American History.

This newly revamped course is for students who wish to develop their own writing skill and/or want to receive training which qualifies them for employment in the Honors College Writing Center.

HON 3993.003:”The Mind of Tocqueville,”

What is good writing? How can we develop our writing skills? What struggles do intelligent students have to contend with when they are required to write academic essays? How can we be of service to others as they seek to express themselves through the written word? Writing Workshop addresses these questions and more!

Taught by Dr. Wilfred McClay, G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty.

HON 3993.001: “Architecture of Democracy,” Taught by Dr. Ronald Gaddie, Chair of the Political Science Department.

Honors Newsletter 14

Fall 2014

Course details: Honors Colloquium AND Non-Western GenEd Course meets 14 days between December 15 and January 9 Class meets 9:30am-12:55pm Prerequisites are Honors Perspectives OR permission of instructor Course description: as the countless humanitarian, development, and DIY aid programs aimed at Africa suggest, the historical relationship between the international community and Africa is characterized by a sense of wanting to “help” or to “save” Africans. Economists, scholars, policy makers, and global health workers, however, debate, the efficacy of the myriad aid efforts directed towards Africa: while some argue that aid and intervention are essential to solving the “emergency” that characterizes contemporary Africa, others declare that aid and intervention does far more harm than good on the continent. Both critics and supporters will concede, however, that so-called “humanitarian” interventions into Africa haven’t always had the most humane results. This class will take up the complex and often paradoxical history of “humanitarianism” in sub=Saharan Africa, beginning with Portugal’s involvement in the TransAtlantic Slave Trade and continuing through to contemporary “DIY” (Do It Yourself) aid schemes. We will explore topics such as slavery and abolition, King Leopold’s Congo, HIV/AIDS, modern-day Evangelical NGO’s. We will also explore the historical development of the discourse of “humanitarianism” and “helping” as directed toward Africa, and attempt to examine our own relationship with the continent and its past.

Honors Newsletter 15

March January /April 2014 2014

Honors-Specific Advising

Honors Engineering Advising

All Honors students should meet with Jeff Copper or Dr. Carolyn Morgan in order to ensure they are on track to earn the cum laude designation upon graduation. Jeff and Dr. Morgan can explain all Honors requirements and help you find courses which will fit your schedule.

The Honors Engineering Liaison, Javen Weston, is available to give you advice on various topics:  Fitting Honors Electives into an Engineering curriculum.  Completing the Honors Research (3980) requirement  Contracting for Honors Credit

Students should use iAdvise to set up an appointment or should contact Jeff or Dr. Morgan directly.

Mondays and Wednesdays Fridays 930am-1200pm 930-1200 Carson 411 DLB 125

Jeff Cooper: 325-8692/dcooper@ou.edu

Alternatively, e-mail Javen to set up an appointment: javen@ou.edu

Dr. Carolyn Morgan: 325-5280/morgan@ou.edu

Advising and Mentoring Programs Honors Alumni e-mentoring Are you looking for advice about professional, educational, or personal opportunities? Successful Honors College graduates are offering their time and advice through the new e-mentoring correspondence program! Our e-mentors are experienced with:        

Medical Schools and Careers in Medicine Working and Living Abroad Government Affairs, Politics, and Public Policy Graduate Schools Law Schools and Law Careers Energy: Oil and Gas Business Schools and Professional Development Computer Science and Engineering Programs Just go to www.ou.edu/honors/mentor and log on to the program. Browse through the list of e-mentors and select the mentor(s) you would like to contact. Then, write to honorsEmentoring@ou.edu and the Honors College will put you in communication with the e-mentor(s) of your choice.

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Fall 2014

Events Calendar 

Oct 3: Honors Student Association presents Movie Night with “Mean Girls.” 8pm at the Honors College Student Lounge.

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Oct 3: Deadline for students to apply to serve as members of “The Honors Undergraduate Research Journal” Editorial Board. Info: bjohn@ou.edu

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Oct 5: Honors College showing of “Wise Blood” (John Huston - 1979). 6pm in DLB room 180/181. info: daniel.meschter@ou.edu

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Oct 12: Honors College showing of “Repo Man” (Alex Cox - 1984). 6pm in DLB room 180/181. info: daniel.meschter@ou.edu

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Oct 17-26: School of Drama presents “Our Town” at the Sooner Theatre. 8pm (3pm on Oct 19 and 26). Box office: 325-4101.

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Oct 19: Honors College showing of “War and Peace” (Sergei Bondarchuk - 1967). 6pm in DLB room 180/181. info: daniel.meschter@ou.edu

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Oct 21: OU Jazz Bands performance at Sharp Concert Hall. 8pm. Box office: 325-4101.

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Oct 24-26, 31-Nov 2: Contemporary Dance Oklahoma at the Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

8pm (3pm on Oct 26). Box office: 325-4101.

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Oct 26: Honors College showing of “The Four Feathers” (Zoltan Korda - 1939). 6pm in DLB room 180/181. info: daniel.meschter@ou.edu

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Nov 10: School of Music presents Hornsemble. 8pm at Sharp Concert Hall. Box office: 3254101.

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Nov 14-16, 20-23: “Little Women” at the Weitzenhoffer Theatre. 8pm (3pm on Nov 16 and 23). Box office: 325-4101.

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Dec 3-6: Speech and Debate. 8pm at the Gilson Studio Theatre (inside the Old Science Hall).

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Dec 7: Sutton Concert Series presents “Christmas at OU.” 3pm at the Sharp Concert Hall. Box office: 325-4101.

For a complete listing of OU events, visit http://www.ou.edu/calendar.html Honors Newsletter 17

5

Fall 2014

Ways…

To give back,

To change a life, To make a difference,

TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE FUTURE.

1

Presidential Teaching Fellows Join us in establishing an endowment to attract, honor, and retain teachers of academic excellence well-matched to OU’s highest achieving students.

2

Honors Study Abroad Scholarships

3

High Honors Support the development and implementation of a more intensive curriculum for high achieving Honors students at OU.

4

President’s Associates Join the President’s Associates today and designate a portion of your gift to the Honors College.

5

Alumni Mentoring Association 100 members strong, Honors College alumni provide advice and mentoring on fields in which they have experience and expertise.

Students become global-minded citizens through Honors at Oxford, Ireland, Journey to Africa, and other OU approved study abroad programs.

Honors Newsletter 18

We invite you to give back and go forward with us as we foster academic excellence by providing the best education possible for high achieving students at OU. To GIVE ONLINE click on any one of the 5 WAYS to give back to OU HONORS COLLEGE students.

THANK YOU! To learn more about these programs and other giving opportunities in the Honors College, contact the office of Alumni and Development.

LISA TUCKER Director of External Relations ljtucker@ou.edu www.ou.edu/honors (405) 325-9088

January Fall 2014 2014

Honors College Notes Aug: Dr. Bob Lifset’s new book, Power on the Hudson: Storm King Mountain and the Emergence of Modern American Environmentalism, was published by the University of Pittsburgh Press.

Aug 27: The Honors College hosted Mubeen Shakir and Jerod Coker, who gave a presentation entitled “What OU Means to Me.”

site was launched earlier this month. Take a look at http:// www.ou.edu/honors/ Oct 15: The Honors College will cosponsor a showing of “Pink Ribbons Inc” (dir by Lea Pool). 7-9pm at Dale Hall, room 128.

Oct 21: Honors Research/Thesis Workshop with Jeff Cooper and Dr. Carolyn Morgan.

October 24: Conversations with the Dean: Perspectives of Native American Students at OU

The Honors Film Club meets on Sunday nights at 6pm.

Remaining showings include: Oct 5: Wise Blood (1979), dir by John Huston.

Oct 12: Repo Man (1984), dir by Alex Cox.

Oct 19: War and Peace (1967), dir by Sergei Bondarchuk.

Oct 26: The Four Feathers (1939), dir Zoltan Korda.

Fall 14: Dean David Ray and the Honors College are proud to participate in the campus-wide “One Campus One Book” program.

Below, students practice “power poses,” based on Amy Cuddy’s social psychology research, in the Honors Presentation and Interview Skills Workshop led by Amanda Minks and Kyra Wharton. Note: the idea is not to do these poses during an interview or presentation! The idea is to do them in private in order to cultivate feelings of confidence and control. Watch for an announcement at the beginning of next semester to sign up for a similar workshop series.

Sept: The new Honors College Student Lounge is opened in DLB hall.

Sept 18: Dr. Amanda Minks gave an invited lecture at Columbia University entitled “Constructing Culture and Development on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.”

Sept 23: The Honors Student Association hosted Dr. Brian Johnson, who gave a presentation entitled “Banned Books: the Censorship of Literature in the US and UK.”

left to right: Andrew Calder, Alex Nongard, Jocelyn Adkins, and Daniel Pae.

Oct: The new Honors College Web-

Honors Newsletter 19

March January /April 2014 2014

The University of Oklahoma Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College 1300 Asp Avenue Norman, Oklahoma 73019-6061

ASSOCIATE DEAN Rich Hamerla

PHONE (405) 325-5292

EDITOR Brian Johnson

WEBPAGE http://www.ou.edu/honors/

150 copies have been prepared and distributed at no cost to Oklahoma taxpayers.

DEAN David Ray

The University of Oklahoma Honors College 1300 Asp Avenue Norman, OK 73019-6061

To:

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

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