Easter weekend

Since we have a four-day weekend for Easter break, I went down to the Texas Gulf coast to spend it with my family.  The weather was beautiful for cruising the beach in our golf carts, building sand castles with my adorable nieces and roasting marshmallows for them in the evening; but the water was a little chilly for my taste (though not for my brother and his border collie). We had an amazing and relaxing time and I already can't wait to do it again next year!

Honors Induction

On March 31st, we formally inducted the freshmen honors class into the program.  Our student speaker at the ceremony, Ms. Sarah Czirr, was outstanding, as was our faculty speaker, Dr. William Sturgill.  We had a great turnout, including first year students and their families, a few faculty members, and two of our Honors Student Association Executive Board members.  It was a successful morning celebrating the accomplishments of our freshmen honors students.

Americorps

Four members of the Americorps FEMA Corps group (mentioned in the KCWL post below) came to speak to our honors students last Monday evening.  They were really informative and some of our students are genuinely interested in pursuing this service option after graduation.

Spring Break

Our spring break was this week, and it was really busy and exciting!  I went to Belize to work on some logistical aspects of my fall sabbatical (I'll be teaching at St. John's College, pictured below).  It was amazing and I met so many wonderful and kind people!  I also had an overnight layover in Houston on the way home, so I got to see my parents!  Yesterday, I helped the Psych Department as they hosted the Great Plains Student Psychology Convention on the Rockhurst campus (also pictured).  Today, I'm catching up on work and resting!

Honors Jazz Event

Last night we had the pleasure of welcoming Jazz pianist, Roger Wilder to campus.

He delighted us with everything from his own pieces and music by Jazz greats like Charlie Parker and Chic Corea, to the Beatles and Coldplay.  He closed with the Charlie Brown theme (a request from the audience), and then was gracious enough to accompany me and three honors students to dinner.  These students especially appreciated what a rare and wonderful treat this was!

KC Wildlands

Last Saturday, when the weather was uncharacteristically mild, Dr. Scholes and I led a KC Wildlands workday out at Swope Park.  I was was fortuitously paired with the gung-ho Americorps group, members of which were more than willing to scramble up limestone formations to kill invasive honeysuckle trees.  They were hard workers, and I think they enjoyed every minute of it. They even offered to come talk to RU Honors students about Americorps, since our students are so predisposed to doing (and loving!) service.

AJCU Honors Conference

This weekend, three honors students and I were slated to attend the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Honors Conference at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.  We were supposed to leave yesterday, have a short layover in D.C., and then head to NY.  Unfortunately, the weather on the east coast did not cooperate and Dulles Airport shut down yesterday morning. The airline rescheduled our flight for an arrival in Buffalo tomorrow evening, after the conference!  So, needless to say, we are unfortunately unable to make it.  It's really disappointing because this is such an amazing experience for our honors students.  Next year, at least it'll be held in New Orleans, which should be much easier to successfully get to (I hope!).