Dean Rizvi's Message

It is gratifying to write to you following a most successful year. Last month we commemorated the accomplishments of the first full class of Honors College Scholars, as is related in the Newsletter. For the University, this milestone represents the culmination of a decade-long march towards making honors education available for students from all seven undergraduate colleges and schools. Indeed, as President Fogel stated in his remarks at our ceremony, the achievements of our pioneering students fit well within an even longer trajectory of intellectual advance at the University. For the College itself, it means that we are now entering a period of early maturity, having seen students progress through all four years of our program. So it is an exciting time.

Word about the Honors College has evidently gotten out. Although we expected about 120 students to accept our invitations to join this coming year’s first-year class, we have easily fifty more students than that. This response has been gratifying, even as we have worked to make sure that we have enough courses and beds for these students. (We do.) The incoming class is outstanding academically, and promises with its superb mix of students to have a wide-ranging impact on the life of the University. It has been a pleasure to welcome groups of these students to Orientation during June as they pick out their classes for the coming semester.

They will be taking a new first-year course. Following a successful four-year run with the ethics seminar, we are beginning with a course focusing on knowledge. It is titled, "The Pursuit of Knowledge: Disciplines, Universities, and Engagement." As Professor of Romance Languages, Joseph Acquisto, relates in the accompanying interview, the course is an exciting way for students in the Honors College to begin their careers. We will update you on the course later in the upcoming academic year.

The summer also marks some transitions in our office. Professor Kelvin Chu, who has served admirably as Interim Associate Dean, is returning to the Physics Department full time. On July 1, he will be replaced in our office by Professor Lisa Schnell of the English Department. She has been Director of Undergraduate Advising in the English Department, which she joined in 1992. As Acting Director of the John Dewey Honors Program, a 2008 winner of the Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award and an active scholar, she brings much to our team. She will be working for us full time. We will be sure to interview her for an upcoming edition of the Newsletter. Beginning on July 1, my title will also change, from Interim Dean to Dean. It has been a highlight of my career to lead the Honors College this past year, and I am pleased to continue in this role.

Enjoy the summer issue of the Honors College Newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Last modified June 17 2008 09:47 AM