Honoring the Best

Honoring the Best

Dr. Alan Hix, Associate Professor of Christian Studies, celebrates Ivey Horton’s academic achievement. Dr. Mark Hamilton, Assistant Professor of English, congratulates Jacee Guinn on her honor society induction. Jonah Garris thanks Dr. Phil Larsen, Professor of Education, for his award.

Story: Gabriela Mendez Photos: Dr. Dawn Tolbert

Honor societies from all academic disciplines gathered this year to induct students into their respective organizations. In the past, each department held its own induction ceremony for honors students. This year, however, all departments pooled their resources to host a combined ceremony in January.

Dr. Angela O’Neal, Director of the Honors Program, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English, Modern Languages, and Liberal Arts, was excited about having a combined honors society induction. “We have many talented people here, and I love having programs that showcase and celebrate the many discipline-specific honor societies we have on campus.”

Honor society faculty representatives from various departments participated in the event. It was special for those students being inducted. “It was very humbling to be recognized. ...The Lord has blessed me in so many ways,” said senior psychology major Kendall Knowles. The induction ceremony was not only special for new honor society members but also for veteran members. Rachael Minard, a senior communication studies major and president of the Lambda Pi Eta (LPE) communications honor society, participated by giving new members their pins. Minard fondly remembered her own induction. “The most memorable part of my induction was having the chord placed around my neck. It was at that moment that I realized how far I had come in my college career.”

Dr. Kathi Vosevich, Associate Provost, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of English gave the keynote address and challenged students to continue to pursue academic excellence. A longtime proponent of honor societies, Vosevich spoke about how achieving academic excellence and being an honor society member helped her career in both the professional and academic arenas.

According to O’Neal, being a member of an honor society is a mark of distinction and not just a résumé builder. “Being in an academic honor society gives students opportunities to connect and network with people in their discipline, both locally and nationally. These societies also help to build an academic community to support and encourage students. Students can also find opportunities to attend conferences and even publish their work. Last but not least, they can be fun! Our English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta, goes on regular outings together to places like the Shakespeare Tavern,” said O’Neal.

This new way of honoring students was a success. Faculty and students hope to keep this tradition alive for many years to come.

Side Stitches Makes Campus Debut

Story: Rachael Minard Photos: Hannah DuVall

The Shorter Comedy Society was created in August 2018. Within the organization, Side Stitches: An Improv Comedy Troupe, was founded by Assistant Professor of Theatre, Drew Davidson. Davidson said he wanted to create the improv troupe because people “need laughter as an antidote to the chaos around us more than ever.” According to Davidson, the long-term vision for the group is to perform monthly and after every stage production. Eventually, Davidson hopes the group will become involved in shows in and around Rome, as well as compete at college improv tournaments. Comprised of a diverse group of students, the team of ten has performed three shows since August. The comedy troupe allows students to connect and interact in ways they might not have had the opportunity to do otherwise. According to junior member Noah Hunt, “Comedy is a fundamental step in the road to human fellowship and communication. We bridge islands with laughter!”

Davidson established the group because “Life is rough. Improv frees performers from fear of judgment. It allows audiences to escape from life’s burdens and laugh for a moment or two.” He went on to explain that improv has the ability to reveal invaluable life lessons. “Improv teaches you how to listen, how to find agreement with others, and then build off of their ideas; appreciate that something is there and then it’s gone, the ephemerality of life; how to be present in the moment; frees people from judgment; how to support one another, reclaim power over fear, be comfortable in your own skin, and how to find the Truth.” Sophomore member Christianne Grist agrees wholeheartedly. “Improv has given me a unique opportunity and a creative outlet, not to mention my Shorter Side Stitches family! The team is such an unlikely group of people, and improv, laughter, and comedy bring us together. Being on stage and thinking of things to say and do on the spot has helped my communication skills and has made me quicker on my feet. Involvement in the troupe has pushed me out of my comfort zone within the comforts of a family, and because of this, I am much more spontaneous and outgoing.”