Dean's Message

Even the most enthusiastic and well-prepared students can find the transition from high school to college challenging. It may be stressful for students to manage academic work, related deadlines and study time; to have to determine or consider changes to a course of study; to deal with the multitude of opportunities newly available; and to struggle to find the proper balance between academics and social life. The student in such a situation may yearn for a simpler and better understood pattern of life, resulting in homesickness. Indeed, the student may find that the first six weeks of the semester are crucial to making a successful transition, as much of the research on this topic indicates. Dean Rizvi's Message

Top News

Undergraduate Research Unveils Public Research Grants

The Office of Undergraduate Research is on a mission to get more students involved in applied research projects which have a significant, positive benefit on the community. This mission inspired the Public Research & Civic Endeavors Scholarship, a new research award competition created by the Office and announced to UVM students in March. Read more: Public Research Grant

Honors College Announces Inaugural Professional Development Forum

Think of it as academic advising meets extracurricular advising, meets career advising meets life advising. In an era when job competition is high, job security is low, and the jobs of tomorrow haven't been invented yet, You Can Go Your Own Way: The Honors College Professional Development Forum, a new program in the Honors College, will enable students to explore how their academic, intellectual and personal interests connect them to various professional opportunities. It's about keeping an open mind for what's out there, but also connecting to fulfilling and intellectually engaging opportunities during and after college. Read more: Professional Development Forum

First Year Students Debate Purpose of Higher Education

The spring semester of the Honors College First-Year Course has always included a group oral presentation assignment. In the past, in both the Ethics course and in the more recent Pursuit of Knowledge course, groups of students have been given a topic related to issues being discussed in the class, and they have prepared a group presentation (usually involving Powerpoint, and often involving things like films and skits) on that topic. The groups have presented their work in front of other students in class at the Thursday evening plenary sessions. First Year HC Students Debate Purpose

Clay Jenkinson Shares his Rhodes Scholarship Experience at UHN

"Nobody deserves to have three free years at Oxford; it's a gift," Professor Clay Jenkinson told students when he met with them on January 31 to discuss his experience as a Rhodes Scholar. Jenkinson, an author, social commentator, and the UVM Marsh Professor-at-large was invited by the Honors College and the Office of Fellowships Advising to share the story of how he, as a senior at the University of Minnesota in 1977, decided to take a chance and apply for the most prestigious fellowship opportunity in the world. In addition to sharing his experience, Jenkinson took questions from students about the Rhodes Scholarship and how they could pursue the scholarship and other opportunities to study in the United Kingdom.

Read the writeup in The Vermont Cynicof Jenkinson's visit here: Clay Jenkinson

Spotlight on

Spring 2011 Admitted Student Visit Days

Choosing where to go to college is a big decision. But this spring, Honors College students have been reaching out to accepted students to help them learn more about the University of Vermont, the Honors College, and everything the community and the campus has to offer. Read more: Honors College Welcomes Accepted Students

Kudos to Kayo Nagai

Kayo Nagai, a First-Year HCOL student, has won the student concerto competition in the Department of Music this spring. Kayo, a Biological Science and Music major from Urayasu, Japan, will play the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor with the UVM Orchestra on April 17 at 4:00 in the UVM Recital Hall. The concerto competition is only very rarely won by first-year students, and is a huge honor for any student musician. Congratulations, Kayo!

Preview:Student Research Conference: April 26

As part of the University of Vermont's weeklong celebration of student achievement, the Student Research Conference (SRC) showcases the research and scholarly activity of undergraduate, graduate and medical students across campus. Held each year in the Davis Center, the SRC is an opportunity for undergraduates to share their recent work and garner the recognition they so well deserve.

All students working on a research or creative project with a UVM faculty member are eligible to present some aspect of their research at this forum. Research and creative projects at any stage of completion are welcome. The event also serves as a resource for students who are not yet involved with research but wish to learn about how to engage in research pursuits.

This year more than 200 students will give posters and oral presentation relating to the research and creative endeavors. Representing all colleges on campus, this will be the largest SRC ever!

For more information, visit the SRC website.

Commencement: UVM and Honors College Events

On Sunday, May 22, The University of Vermont will hold its 207th Commencement Ceremony honoring the UVM Class of 2011. President Dan Fogel will honor all graduates and award all diplomas at this ceremony. Former tennis pro and women's rights activist Billie Jean King will also be on hand to address the graduates. The procession will start promptly at 8:20, and the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. on the University Green.

Be sure to also join us on Saturday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m. in the Ira Allen Chapel as we celebrate the achievements of the 2011 Honors College Scholars. Following the ceremony there will be a reception for all graduates held in the Grand Maple Ballroom on the fourth floor of The UVM's Davis Center.

Honors College Scholars will be expected to arrive at the lineup in full regalia for both ceremonies. Caps and gowns will be available after April 20. Cap and gown information

For more information on the commencement schedule, lodging recommendations and parking information visit the UVM Commencement website UVM Commencement Website or Honors College Recognition Ceremony and Reception