March 2012 - Ferris State University

Ferris State University Honors Program
The Endeavor
Volume XV Issue I1 ~ March 2012
The purpose of the Honors Program at Ferris State University is to provide
intellectual challenges, resources and support to highly able and motivated students,
while encouraging service and leadership for the public good.

Endeavor Staff
Executive Editor: Erika Derylo
deryloe@ferris.edu
Staff Writer:
Katie Milbourne
Photography:
Brock Copus
Advisor: John Cullen
Honors Staff
Program Coordinator: Maude Bigford
bigfordm@ferris.edu
Assistant Coordinator: Jana Pisani
pisanij@ferris.edu
Assistant Coordinator: Kent Sun
sunk@ferris.edu
Program Support Staff: Tammy Babcock
babcockt@ferris.edu
Program Support Staff: Lauri Dassance
dassanl@ferris.edu
Honors Awards Banquet
By: Erika Derylo
On Friday, January 27, 2012, Honors students, Ferris State
faculty, friends, and family all met for the Honors Awards
Ceremony and Banquet to celebrate the 79 Honors students
who received 4.00 GPAs for the fall 2011 semester.
Each of the 79 students received an award for this achievement.
Seven other students and two support staff received
Above and Beyond Awards for their distinguished involvement
in the Honors community. Dierdre Kolle, 2009 Honors
Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy alumna and Central
Michigan University graduate student, addressed the students
as a key note speaker.
Leah Kelly, Outstanding
Scholar
Finalists for Outstanding Scholar (left to right): Lynn Overmyer, Rebecca Posegay, Jenna Schleben

Honors Awards Banquet
By: Erika Derylo
Parker Liu & Luke Stephens
Outstanding Peer Mentors
Melissa Kocefas
Emerging Leader
Annette Keyt & Diane Maquire
Outstanding Support Staff, PGM Office
Students Receiving a 4.00 for Fall 2011 Semester (*indicates cumulative): Gabriel Aikins*, Kaitlin Allinger*, Nathan
Allison, Aubree Berg*, Paige Bukowski*, Tori Carrick*, Jacob Chaffee*, Brooke Crandall*, Rachel Crane*, Amber
Cumings*, Molly Czarnecki*, Jenna Daniels*, Michael Debano, Carli Denholm, Michelle Dunn*, Jamie Dupuie*,
Abigail Dutkiewicz*, Andrew Elenbaas*, Valerie Ferrera*, Robert Fox*, Sarah Gakstatter*, Rachel Garrity*, Collette
Gravelyn*, Paige Heaton, Christopher Hedger*, Shelbye Herbin, Megan Hollerback*, Aaron Jackowski, Ana Jan*,
Jonathan Kelly, Leah Kelly, Zane Kern*, Kelly Kieffer*, Arielle Kohler, Shauna Kovach*, Benjamin Kulwicki, Shaughna
Langerak*, Danielle Lefevre, Brandi Lodge, Brooke Malone, Erin Martin*, Nolan McBride, Kelly McCarthy, Amy
Meddaugh, Kaitlyn Milbourne, Mason Moody*, Kathryn Moulton, Amy Musial, Audrey Nichoson, Mackenzie Pahl*,
Korynne Perry*, Rachel Peterson, Emily Pietrowicz*, Shannon Ramso, Danielle Reid*, Bailey Ross, Gregory Schilz*,
Jenna Schleben, Kelsey Schmuckal, Jacob Schuitema*, Samantha Shifman, Allison Simsa*, Matthew Sinnaeve*,
Connor Smith, Falina Stearley, Michelle Sullivan*, Rachel Szucs*, Preston Taylor, Courtney Terryn*, Larissa Travis,
Lauryne Vanderhoof, Molly Vanderwest*, Ashley Wachowicz*, Timothy Wasielewski, Allie Wasik, Emily Wittman,
Samuel Wohlfeil*, Kelly Wyckoff*, Kacie Zuck*

Honors Art Show
By: Katie Milbourne
Photography: Brock Copus
On January 25, 2012, twenty-five Honors students participated in the
fifth annual Honors Art Show held in the Rankin Art Gallery. William
Culpepper, graphic designer, educator, and artist who is currently an assistant
professor of graphic design at Ferris State University, was the juror
for the evening. Additionally, attendees were allowed to vote for
Crowd Favorite.
Crowd Favorite
“What Makes You Smile?”
Matthew Agnone
Judge’s Choice
“365 - A Year in Pictures”
Lauren Pinner

Honors Art Show
By; Katie Milbourne
The following pictures are only a sampling of the art work entered that evening. A complete gallery is located on the Honors web site
under Current Students.
“Beautiful Delusion” - Candita Cox
“Colorado Reflection” Brock Copus
“Gemini” - Amy Meddaugh “Sofa Kitty” - Aubrey Roskoskey
“Fort Dwain” - Karan Dixon
“Things to Live by—Love, Peace and Diversity” - Kirsten Thorhauer

Fall 2012 Honors Class Preview
By: Erika Derylo
Part of the unique Honors “experience” is taking Honors classes that not only help
fulfill general education requirements, but also give students the opportunity to
learn about subjects that are culturally enriching. Here is a snapshot of what Honors
classes are offered in the Fall of 2012.
Medical anthropology deals with illness and healing in crosscultural
perspective, and raises questions about the nature and
cause of illness, the effectiveness of various forms of therapy,
and the roles and attributes of different types of healers. Attention
will also be directed to the relationship between classical
medicine and the religious traditions of Hinduism Islam, Buddhism
and Taoism and to the modern revival of traditional
medicine and its role in the health-care delivery.
Honors exploration of Francophone literature in English translation
focuses primarily on the colonial era in the African
countries colonized by the French, French Acadian literature,
and the plantation society of the French Antilles, from 1690 to
1848.
Eastern Religions involves an introduction to the religions of
Eastern Culture with an emphasis on Hinduism, Buddhism and
Shinto.
Social Psychology is the study of influences of social situations
upon the individual's behaviors, feelings, and thoughts; it involves
a psychological investigation of the processes of causal
attribution, attitude formation and change, interpersonal attraction,
conformity and obedience, helping and hurting behaviors,
leadership and social facilitation, and environmental effects on
social behavior.
Intro to African Literature explores the most important voices
and talents in post-colonial Africa, both novelists and poets. It
includes the works of Armah, Ngugi, Soyinka, Achebe, Bessie
Head, Diop, Coetzee, Brutus, Bernard, and Lessing.
Into to World Short Fiction explores genre structure, narrative
techniques, and thematic traditions. It includes extensive reading
and discussion of works by European, British, American,
and Third World authors.
Psychology of Personality deals with Individual differences
and reviews basic theoretical orientations to the understanding
of personality and complex human behavior. There is an overview
of related techniques, procedures, and findings of personality
assessment and research and discussion of critical issues
in evaluation of personality theories.
Cultural Comp: Litr and Film
The purpose of this interdisciplinary course is to introduce
students to the concept of cultural competence within the
framework of an increasingly interconnected and interdependent
global society. This course fosters the notion of intercultural
tolerance towards people from dissimilar backgrounds,
whether those differences pertain to nationality, race, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age,
physical abilities, mental abilities identity by subsequently
juxtaposing it with other cultures, identities, and perspectives
through an analysis of aforementioned differences.

Ahhh. It has been a thrilling ride directing Honors since 1997. The students have inspired
me due to idealism, open-heartedness, dedication to academic excellence and adventuresome
quests. The Big Rapids community has been transformed by their leadership.
The number of RSOs has increased due to their commitment to various projects and
visionary spirits.
Paradoxically, I have been led by so many students in my capacity as “leader” and what I will remember fondly
are the sincere smiles, the great laughter, the honest tears and the questing hearts. Honors has made a profound
difference in my life. I shall treasure the memories.
EDITOR NEEDED
The Honors Program is looking
for a new Editor for the
Endeavor. If you are
interested, send your resume’
listing any relevant experience
to Dr. John Cullen at
cullenj@ferris.edu.
There is a stipend with this position.
Resume’ deadline to Dr.
Cullen is April 13 at 4:00.
Honors Reminders
Spring Semester 2012
Maude Bigford’s Farewell for Students:
Thursday, April 12, 11:00 - 11:50 am
Centennial Dining Room - Rankin 252
Honors Formal:
Saturday, April 21, 8:00 pm - Midnight
Dome Room
Honors Senior Symposium:
Thursday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dome Room
Honors Reports and Service Hours Due:
Friday, April 27
Commencement:
Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5th
Final Grades Due:
Monday, May 7