3 minute read
From the Dean's Desk
Lofty pursuits
Liberty Mutual Insurance has an ad in which an emu leaves the ranch to pursue his passion. One of his ranchers, who viewed him simply as a “flightless bird,” is later startled to learn of his success. We know that our own students have wings and can fly high, and we take pride in another year of student success, faculty achievement, Board of Visitors engagement, and continued alumni accomplishments and support.
Nationally, the educational landscape remains uncertain, with greater governmental oversight and intrusion into educational policies, and federal cutbacks. Such cuts continue to leave students and faculty members uncertain as to whether grants they have received, or anticipate seeking, for study abroad, foreign language training, and research will be funded. This year our students have won Fulbright, Gilman, Goldwater, Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET), and other prestigious awards, and our Undergraduate Fellowships Office continues to seek nongovernmental funding opportunities.
The Honors College has successfully recruited new classes of Buchanan freshmen and Buchanan transfer students. Honors students won all four of the University’s top awards—President’s, Provost’s, Community Service, and Robert LaLance recognitions— as well as several others, and our graduates are off to a number of prestigious graduate and professional schools and exciting jobs.
Our graduates are off to a number of prestigious graduate and professional schools and exciting jobs.
As we begin a new year, Amy Sayward of the History Department has begun leading the American Democracy Project, which is housed within the Honors College, following the retirement of Mary Evins, another MTSU historian who brought this project into national prominence. Nancy Prescott, who recently earned her master’s in Public History and received one of the statewide Harold Love Awards for community service (along with Honors resident faculty member Dianna Rust), is the new Honors student engagement coordinator.
With support from the Honors College and our board member Jeff Whorley, students were able to hear former Vice President Mike Pence speak at the 2024 Constitution Day celebration, and New York Times columnist David Brooks served as our guest this year. As a political scientist, I am particularly looking forward to engaging students in the celebration of the nation’s semiquincentennial in 2026.
Associate Dean Philip E. Phillips and I, as well as our resident faculty members, continue our scholarly research, publications, and presentations, and we were pleased to host the Tennessee Collegiate Honors Council 2025 meeting. The Honors College continues to support the Phi Kappa Phi (Dr. Phillips is the national president-elect) and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies. We also support MTSU’s Institute of Leadership Excellence each summer.
Although Areté magazine is now only printed once a year, we regularly post articles on social media and began a podcast this fall. We encourage you to follow our students’ progress. You may also enjoy checking out our Collage literary magazine online. Watch us, and support our campaign for an Honors Excellence Endowment, as we fly to new heights
John R. Vile
Dean, Honors College
