Message From The Dean
Dear Honors College students, alumni, friends and supporters,
Thank you for your interest in and commitment to the Honors College at Michigan State University. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to keep you abreast of the exciting accomplishments and activities of the Honors College.
In addition to the core Honors program for high-achieving undergraduates, the Honors College at Michigan State University (MSU) also includes the Academic Scholars Program; the National and International Scholarships and Fellowships office, serving undergraduate and graduate students university-wide; the nationally competitive MSU Debate Team—2004 and 2006 National Debate Tournament Champions; and the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) division, which provides enrichment opportunities for high achieving pre-college students.
The College’s exceptional people are still its strength; the Honors College currently includes approximately 3,000 talented MSU students, representing approximately eight percent of all MSU undergraduates. This past academic year, departments and colleges offered approximately 190 Honors classes, more than 250 faculty members from across the university were Honors Advisers, and at least 500 Honors College members worked directly with faculty on research projects. The numbers tell only part of the story of our vibrant academic community. Even with such strength, we continue to look for new and different ways to engage students, faculty, alumni, friends and other supporters with the Honors College, and welcome your suggestions.
In the past academic year, we have continued to sharpen the focus of honors education at Michigan State University. We are proud of our more than 50 years as a leader in honors education and believe that the next 50 years will be just as innovative. Building on this rich tradition and history of the Honors College, I have charged the staff to deepen collaborative relationships across the university and to begin new partnerships to help the College continue to flourish. To complement our sustained commitment to flexibility and freedom in individual academic program planning, we continue to reinforce the message to our students that leadership, research and service in, for and with the community are critical components of honors education.
Having a strong set of university and community partners is vital to the work that we do in the Honors College. Whether preparing candidates for the Rhodes Scholarship competition and others, or encouraging students to be involved in community service, we rely heavily on the strong and consistent support from our many constituents at MSU and beyond. The strength of our scholarship and fellowship candidates, for example, depends on the investment and time of faculty, as well as current and past scholars. We are grateful for the work that passionate professors and devoted mentors put in alongside talented students.
We have several new staff members to assist in moving the college forward and build on the collaborative relationships across the university and within the community. Over the past year, the Honors College welcomed to the staff associate dean, Dr. Melissa Baumann; coordinator of the MSU National and International Scholarships and Fellowships office, Dr. Laura Symonds; two advisors, Dr. Katy Luchini Colbry (Honors College alumna) and Dr. Jennifer Auchtung (Honors College alumna); and director of development for university scholarships and fellowships, Jennifer Bertram. Along with the dedicated and committed staff that was already in the college, they are all looking forward to enhancing honors education at Michigan State University. The college also said farewell to the previous director of development, Barbara Ball-McClure who departed MSU for a wonderful opportunity at another institution; former coordinator of national and international fellowships Jennifer Marsh who returned to high school teaching; and two advisors: Dr. Mary Zaleta, who retired after many years with the college and Andrew McLemore, who is pursuing a medical degree here at Michigan State University. We continue to wish them well in their new endeavors.
There have been many accomplishments in the past year. While I couldn’t possibly list them all here, I did want to take a moment to highlight the MSU Debate Team. In 2009, MSU’s world class debate team had the privilege of participating in the first ever inaugural debate series. They have as participated in several other public debates that serve to enhance the visibility of the team and Michigan State University while providing the community an opportunity to enjoy the excellence and talent within the debate community. This is just one example of the many exciting things happening in and around the Honors College.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of the Honors College, and that for which we are most proud, is the accomplishments of our students, during their time at Michigan State University and subsequently in their lives and careers. Whether you are considering the Honors College for the next step in your educational journey, currently a member of the Honors College, a graduate of the Honors College, serving our students, or a friend of honors education, please take a few minutes to peruse our website and let us know your thoughts. We look forward to hearing your ideas for the future of YOUR Honors College. Here’s to the next 50 years, one year at a time!
Sincerely,
Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore
Dean and Professor
