Mahurin Honors College Student Viewbook 2023-2024

MAHURIN

SEE WHA

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to equal opportunity in its educational programs and employment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or marital status. www.wku.edu/eoo WKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) © 2019 Western Kentucky University. Printing paid from state funds, KRS 57.375

AT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DREAM BIG. CONTENTS 3 WELCOME 7 CURRICULUM & COURSES 11 CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE/THESIS 15 OFFICE OF SCHOLAR DEVELOPMENT 23 HONORS HOUSING 25 HONORS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION RETREAT (H4) 27 SUCCESSES 29 ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

CONTACT US ADDRESS

Mahurin Honors College 1906 College Heights Blvd #31082 Bowling Green, KY 42101-1082

PHONE 270-745-2081 FAX 270-745-3568 WEB wku.edu/honors SOCIAL @wkuhonors

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ALL WKU.

ALL YOU.

Welcome to the Mahurin Honors College at WKU, Kentucky’s first dedicated Honors College. The scholar-focused approach of the College fosters a sense of community and a spirit of excellence among our honors scholars, faculty and staff. The academic culture within the Honors College exists for one purpose: to help make your intellectual and career dreams come true.

The Mahurin Honors College is designed to function as a small, highly selective college while providing you with the resources, opportunities, and spirit of a large, robust university like WKU. The success of our scholars speaks for itself and is regularly recognized on a national level.

We invite you to do a VIP visit and see what it means to be a part of the Mahurin Honors College at WKU.

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JOCELYN PORTER

BROADCASTING & POLITCAL SCIENCE LOUISVILLE, KY | CLASS OF 2018 INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, JD, 2021

THINK CRITICALLY. Meet Jocelyn, a recent Mahurin Honors College graduate who double majored in broadcasting and political science. For five months, she studied abroad through an exchange program at the Danish School of Media and Journalism in Denmark. She was in a class learning with 22 other students from 12 different countries around the world. Many of her work related to the refugee crisis, which inspired her decision to go into policy making. Two of Porter’s favorite courses at WKU were Politics in the Presidency and Campaign Management, both classes she took

during the 2016 presidential election. Her professor “challenged her viewpoints,” and these classes gave Porter the chance to see why others think the way they do. Porter finished her college career studying in Washington, D.C., through the Washington Center Internship Program, where she worked four days a week while taking night classes through the program, as well as participating in professional development.

She loved the opportunity and says it wouldn’t have been possible without the help from the Mahurin Honors College and OSD.

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CURRICULUM & COURSES THE MAHURIN HONORS COLLEGE OFFERS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY 28-HOUR PROGRAM TO BE COMPLETED OVER THE COURSE OF YOUR UNDERGRADUATE CAREER.

CREDIT HOUR DISTRIBUTION

NUMBER OF HOURS GRANTED

HONORS 251

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COLONNADE COURSES

9

HONORS COLLOQUIUM, HONORS ELECTIVE, OR HONORS 275

3

HONORS UPPER-DIVISION ELECTIVES

6

CE/T PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT OR HONORS ELECTIVE

1

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE/ THESIS (HON 403/404)

6

DEGREE TOTAL

28

HONORS 251

CITIZEN & SELF INTRODUCTORY HONORS COURSE

HON 251 is the lower-level required honors course for all Mahurin Honors College scholars. Its purpose is to examine how we often associate the term “citizenship” with a series of rights and responsibilities, such as voting and paying taxes or simply as a legal status granted to an individual by a government entity. Conversely, we often understand “self” as our core being, our essence, who and what we imagine our individual selves to be. Honors 251 works through the complexities and complications of these terms—citizen and self—to think through the purposes, goals, and responsibilities of both educational institutions and educated individuals in the social, cultural, and political environments of the United States and the world—past, present, and future.

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MEG DILLINGHAM

BIOCHEMISTRY (PRE-MEDICINE) BOWLING GREEN, KY | CLASS OF 2020

APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE. Meet Meg, a Mahurin Honors College scholar majoring in biochemistry. Meg was selected as a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the premier award for undergraduate students pursuing careers in science, mathematics or engineering. Meg has conducted research alongside two biology faculty members duirng her time at WKU. Through assistance from the Office of Scholar Development, Meg was awarded a Lifetime Experience Grant to complete two summer internships conducting research in the Johnathan R. Whetstine Laboratory

at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School. She has gone on to present her research at numerous student conferences. Meg recently participated in a faculty-led study abroad program designed to provide medical care and health education to the Kasigau region of Kenya. She also serves as the co-president for the WKU Association of Undergraduate Geneticists and is a member of the WKU Women’s Soccer Club.

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CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE & THESIS PURSUE YOUR PASSION

Tiye Gardner (‘19) B.A., Spanish CE/T: Racial Hierarchies in Latin America that Affected my Black Experience

The Capstone Experience/Thesis (CE/T) option is unique to the Mahurin Honors College and is meant to enhance your experience in your discipline, giving you the opportunity to combine your personal passions and career goals into a research project or creative endeavor.

REACH YOUR GOALS Honors Development Grants and FacultyUndergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grants are among the many resources available to support undergraduate research at WKU. Completing a CE/T project has given Mahurin Honors College graduates a competitive edge when applying for graduate schools, professional schools, or employment opportunities.

Kyla Scanlon (‘19) B.A., Economics; B.S., Financial Management, Business Data Analytics CE/T: Effects of Terrorism on the US Stock Market: Evidence from High Frequency Data

Sarah Beach (‘15) B.A., Communication Studies

A NEW KIND OF BODY PROJECT: BLOGGING AND THE AMERICAN TEEN GIRL

BABY NAMES AS A DETERMINANT OF CULTURAL ASSIMILATION IN THE CONTINENTAL AND NONCONTINENTAL UNITED STATES Paige Harrison (‘15) B.S., Business Economics (Entrepreneurship); B.S., Marketing (Strategic Marketing)

Thomas Deaton (‘19) B.A., English (Professional Writing)

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MINORITY PARTY LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES IN CONGRESS

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYWHERE: A COLLECTION OF WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS

Jocelyn Porter (‘18) B.A., Broadcasting (Broadcast News), Political Science

DETECTION OF TETRACYCLINES IN AN ANAEROBIC WASTE DIGESTER USING SOLID PHASE EXTRACTION AND HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROMETRY Courtney Cruse (‘17) B.S., Chemistry; B.A., Criminology

View the full collection of CE/T projects online at digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses.

MATERNAL HEALTH IN EASTERN TANZANIA: ANTENATAL DELIVERY AND POSTNATAL CARE Christa Sego (‘19) B.S., Biology (Pre-Medicine)

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REACH YOUR BIG DREAMS. Meet Andi, a Mahurin Honors College graduate who majored in economics, international affairs, Spanish, and Asian religions and cultures.

Andi was selected as WKU’s first Truman Scholar, awarding her $30,000 for graduate school and opportunities for professional development to prepare her for a career in public service leadership. In 2018, 756 candidates were nominated by 311 colleges and universities nationwide.

From the 194 finalists, 59 scholars were selected. Andi served as WKU Student Body President and Student Regent. Beyond her work for

ANDI DAHMER

ECONOMICS, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, SPANISH, ASIAN RELIGIONS & CULTURES LOUISVILLE, KY | CLASS OF 2019

equity and inclusion through campus leadership, she worked to engage students in the political process through advocacy with the ONE Campaign, membership in the Hilltopper Organization of Latin American Students, and her leadership in the campus Committee for Diversity and Inclusion. Andi studied abroad in seven countries while a student at WKU, and is currently employed by Emerge Kentucky, a candidate training program for women seeking elected office.

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OFFICE OF SCHOLAR DEVELOPMENT OSD is committed to helping students on all WKU campuses and in all majors and degree programs develop the vision, experience, and skills to be independent, engaged scholars. OSD assists students all the way through the application process—finding opportunities, writing and revising essays, and preparing for interviews.

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Since 2008, more than 490 WKU students and alumni have been recognized in national scholarship competitions and earned more than $4.3 million for graduate school, research, language study, public service, and study abroad.

HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

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THOMAS R. PICKERING FOREIGN AFFAIRS FELLOWS

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND RESEARCH FOR TRANSFORMATION (SMART) SCHOLARSHIPS

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OXFORD-CAMBRIDGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM RECIPIENT

MORRIS K. UDALL SCHOLARSHIPS & HONORABLE MENTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF STATE CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIPS

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE NATIONAL SECURITY LANGUAGE INITIATIVE FOR YOUTH (NSLI-Y) AWARDS

RHODES SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

20 34 BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS & HONORABLE MENTIONS

BOREN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDY

10 59 FULBRIGHT U.S. STUDENT AWARDS

3 138 8 FULBRIGHT UK SUMMER INSTITUTE PARTICIPANTS

CHARLES B. RANGEL INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS & FELLOWS

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

HARRY S. TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY? National scholarship competitions are not about having the perfect GPA. Instead, award committees are looking for talent, passion, curiosity, determination, and a record of service and commitment to an ideal or cause.

OSD will work with you to discover resources to support your dreams. To learn more about the application process, visit wku.edu/osd/.

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THOMAS DEATON

ENGLISH (PROFESSIONAL WRITING) ELIZABETHTOWN, KY | CLASS OF 2019 JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, MA, 2021

CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS. Meet Thomas, a 2019 Mahurin Honors College graduate who majored in English with a concentration in professional writing and a minor in environmental studies & sustainability. During the fall of his sophomore year, he studied abroad with Semester at Sea, traveling to a total of 14 countries and sailing through the Panama Canal. As part of his academic studies through the program, he took 12 semester hours with faculty and students from around the world. Throughout his travels, he spent specific days in port related to his coursework, studying

art restoration at the University of Florence (Italy), social identity at the University of Trinidad & Tobago, and indigenous Latin America at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. During the voyage, he was inspired to look internationally when developing both his CE/T and a plan of action for graduate school and an eventual career. He is now pursuing his MA in Public Management at Johns Hopkins University’s Washington, D.C. campus, continuing his work toward a career in public affairs and government relations.

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LEAD WITH SERVICE. Meet Noah, a Mahurin Honors College alumnus who majored in International Affairs, Arabic, and Middle East Studies (Honors selfdesigned). Noah spent two summers with the Foreign Service Internship Program with the Department of State. The first summer, during his posting in the Office of Iraq Affairs in Washington, D.C., he managed and executed high-level international delegation visits focused on counter-ISIL operations and policing of individuals from the foreign-affairs community. His second posting in the Political-Economic Section

NOAH A. STEVENS

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ARABIC, MIDDLE EAST STUDIES (SELF-DESIGNED) ELIZABETHTOWN, KY | CLASS OF 2019 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY, MIA, 2021

of U.S. Embassy Oslo saw him tracking political developments related to NATO defense spending analysis. Using a skillset gained during his tailored and internationally-focused WKU curriculum, Noah was able to apply foreign language skills to facilitate international exchange and see the rewards of a career in public service. Noah is now pursuing his Masters of Interntional Affairs at the George Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University. He is working toward a future career in public service and defense and national security.

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ILLUSTRATION BY

EMMALEE LAWRENCE

STUDIO ART GLASGOW, KY | CLASS OF 2021

CREATE YOUR EXPERIENCE.

“SUNSET ON THE COLONNADE.” WATERCOLOR, EMMALEE LAWRENCE (2017).

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HONORS HOUSING The Mahurin Honors College partners with WKU Housing & Residence Life to provide you residence hall options with an atmosphere in which you can thrive. You will be connected to a community of scholars engaged to campus both socially and academically.

We encourage you to apply for housing by the priority deadline of March 31.

MINTON HALL Minton Hall is a ten-story, co-ed residence hall that was built in 1963 and underwent significant renovations in 2004 and 2019. Minton houses primarily underclassmen in the Mahurin Honors College.

It is located in the middle of campus across from Downing Student Union.

SOUTHWEST HALL Southwest Hall is a three-story, co-ed residence hall that houses Honors upperclassmen in suite-style living arrangements. The building underwent significant renovations in 2017, including a new lobby, community and study rooms, large kitchens, and theater rooms.

It is located in the middle of campus directly across from the Honors College and International Center.

Visit wku.edu/housing for info.

DEVEN RICHARDSON

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & POLITICAL SCIENCE BOWLING GREEN, KY | CLASS OF 2019 FULBRIGHT GRANTEE, JAPAN CHARLES B. RANGEL INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS GRADUATE FELLOW

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY. Meet Deven. Throughout his four years, Deven engaged heavily in the Honors community, serving as an H4 counselor and an HonorsTopper. He regularly consulted the Office of Scholar Development for help with competitive scholarship opportunities, and, in 2019, was selected as a Fulbright Scholar for research in Japan and as WKU’s first Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellow.

As a Rangel fellow, his post-graduate career will include entrance into the US Foreign Service after completion of a graduate degree.

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The Honors Freshman Orientation Retreat (H4) is an exciting experience for Mahurin Honors College scholars held at Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson Station, Tennessee. H4 provides you with the opportunity to move into your residence hall early and connect with over 200 of your fellow incoming Honors freshman before fall classes begin.

You will be placed with a student counselor and a small group where you will receive helpful advice about adjusting to college life on the Hill. Outside of small groups, you can take advantage of all of the activities that the retreat center has to offer, including a low ropes course, rock wall, swimming and waterfront activities, and more. Over the course of the four-day retreat, you will also interact with Mahurin Honors College faculty and advisors who will help begin your Honors academic journey.

Spaces at H4 are limited, and applications will be available online on May 1.

The community experience begins with H4 and continues to our two residence halls, where scholars form lifelong networks and unforgettable bonds. From joining over 300 university clubs and organizations to our own Honors Club-hosted events, our spirit is fostered through engaging social and academic opportunities.

H4

Visit wku.edu/honors/h4 for info.

go

TO PS

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MEGAN SKAGGS

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & ENGLISH WINDYVILLE, KY | CLASS OF 2016 VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, MA, 2021

Meet Megan, a 2016 graduate with a double major in international affairs and English. She was drawn to WKU by the Mahurin Honors College, as well as the Office of Scholar Development, both which she said felt “open and personable.” Following graduation, Megan earned a Fulbright scholarship to go to Esquipulas, Guatemala, the first Fulbright scholar to do so. While there, she worked with students through an English Access Microscholarship program, which is similar to an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Through this program, she taught leadership skills and English to disadvantaged students. While in Guatemala for the second time, Megan also worked with non-governmental organizations in the community for community initiatives such as health, education and literacy. Megan currently studies Latin American Studies and International Education Policy & Management at Vanderbilt University.

RECENT MAHURIN HONORS COLLEGE GRADUATES HAVE PURSUED PATHWAYS WITH THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS American University Austin Peay State University Belmont University Bethlehem College and Seminary Clemson University Duke University Eastern Kentucky University Emory University Florida State University George Washington University Indiana University IUPUI Johns Hopkins University London School of Economics & Political Science Michigan State University Middle Tennessee State University Montclair State University North Carolina State University Northwestern University Ohio State University Ohio University

Purdue University Savannah College of Art and Design Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Spalding University St. Louis University Texas A&M The Scripps Research Institute University of Central Oklahoma University of Cincinnati University of Colorado, Boulder University of Denver University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of North Carolina University of Pikeville University of Tennessee Utah State University Vanderbilt University Walsh University Washington University Western Kentucky University

EMPLOYERS Abbott Northwestern Hospital Appalachian Mountain Shakespeare Theatre Arnold Consulting Engineering Services B.L. Bennett & Associates BG OnStage Bullitt County Public Schools BuzzFeed Campus Crusade for Christ Chick-fil-A Christian Student Fellowship Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Coats Financial Planning Connected Nation Exchange Creative Capital Group Crocker Animal Hospital CrowdSouth Marketing Dr. Frank L Duncan DDS English First Facility Planners First Baptist Church of Bowling Green Gartner Growing Minds Learning Center Hardin County Schools Holy Trinity Lutheran School Hughes & Coleman Law Firm IHeartMedia

Keller Williams - Green Hills Kentucky Center for Education & Workforce Statistics Kentucky Public Schools Lifeguard Press Medical Center at Bowling Green Morning Teleportation LLC NASA Marshall Space Flight Center New Mather Metals Inc. Northwestern Mutual Norton Children’s Hospital Numinous Flux Dance Company Owensboro Health Princeton in Asia Progressive Real Estate Groups at Coldwell Banker Saint Thomas Spalding Stephen Foster Drama Association Target Teach for America The Heritage Foundation The Lost Colony Theatre U.S. Government United States Air Force Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital Walt Disney World Western Kentucky University

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ADMISSIONS APPLICATION The Mahurin Honors College uses a holistic application review process. The following components are considered for admission: • Strength of writing samples • Level of involvement • Academic quality The priority application deadline is December 1 to be considered for competitive admission into the incoming Honors College class. Applications completed after December 1 will be considered on a space-permitting basis. To apply, visit wku.edu/honors/apply.

VISIT To get a feel for the Mahurin Honors College experience, prospective scholars are encouraged to attend an Honors VIP visit. Schedule one online at wku.edu/honors/visit.

HONORS FEE The Honors College membership fee is used to support a range of academic priorities focused upon meeting the needs of our scholars. These include additional Honors course sections, scholarships & grants, and intellectual & social programming. All of the resources are used to assist the Honors College to support scholars pursuing their academic & intellectual dreams.

FIND YOUR

HOME.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US

NOVEMBER 1st WKU Application for Admission Official High School Transcript ACT or SAT Scores Application Fee DECEMBER 1st Honors College Application Priority Deadline Cherry Presidential Scholarship Application FEBRUARY 1st TOPDollar Scholarship Application Deadline

MARCH 31st Register for Topper Orientation Program (TOP) Priority Housing Application MAY 1st Honors College Enrollment Deadline Scholarship Action Deadline JUNE H4 Application

FEBRUARY Honors College Admission Notifications MARCH Scholarship Award Notifications MAY H4 Applications Available

JULY Housing Assignment Notifications H4 Notifications AUGUST H4 Retreat M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan

VISIT & APPLY TODAY The Mahurin Honors College uses a holistic application review process. The following components are considered for admission: • Strength of writing samples • Level of involvement • Academic quality Apply at: wku.edu/honors/apply.

All prospective students are welcome to visit WKU for an official campus tour, VIP Style. Schedule an Honors Visit at: wku.edu/honors/visit.

CONTACT US Mahurin Honors College 1906 College Heights Blvd #31082 Bowling Green, KY 42101-1082

PHONE 270-745-2081 FAX 270-745-3568 WEB wku.edu/honors SOCIAL @wkuhonors