2010 Fall Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention Pursuing Their Passions Honors Students Perform Summer Research Projects Summer is a time for hiking, scuba diving, and extra-curricular research? While most students avoid summer academic activities like the plague, Jake Wayman, Cassidy Jones, Cooper Henderson, Danny Barber, Mai Ho, and Tyler Sutton found the time and desire to design and implement research projects all their own. Jake Wayman and Cassidy Jones, seniors majoring in biology and English, respectively, spent time in south central Utah while they gathered materials for their projects. While Jake collected leaf samples to study oak hybridization, Cassidy compiled sources for an environmental literary history of the Grand StaircaseEscalante region, a project she sees herself pursuing in the future. “It’s truthfully unexpected and downright exciting,” she comments. Cooper, a senior majoring in economics, focused his research on the new Utah Ethics Reform, excited by the opportunity to “learn about a passionate hobby.” Surprised at the discrepancies between the proposed and the actual reform, Cooper decided to perform his own analysis. He reached the startling conclusion that WKH UHIRUP ZDV EDVLFDOO\ LQVLJQLÀFDQW and had ignored key recommendations from the bi-partisan committee. On account of his research, Cooper resolved to remain familiar with the continually evolving legislation of the state and, more importantly, to take his experiences with him when he graduates. Danny, a junior minoring in chemistry, researched the Jordan River oil spill. “When I heard about what happened,” he says, “I knew I had the unique opportunity to try something entirely new.” +H GHYHORSHG D FRVW HIÀFLHQW way to track residual oils in the river through a process called ¶V\QFKURQL]HG ÁXRUHVFHQW VFDQQLQJ · While this method is not as accurate as more expensive versions, Danny points out that “this is where teaching meets application. While Sophomore Mai Ho presents her summer research on it’s not quite accurate enough, it’s information management methods more versatile.” For Danny, real regular basis while working at the world applications hold more interest hospital, he wondered if opt-out than a classroom lecture, and he models played a role in the parental valued the chance to learn about the autonomy vs. child negligence debate. responsibilities of being his own boss. 6WDUWLQJ E\ GHÀQLQJ DQ RSW RXW PRGHO Mai, a sophomore majoring in its effects, and methods, Tyler soon DFFRXQWLQJ DQG ÀQDQFH FRQGXFWHG found that medical practitioners often a meta-analysis literature review that use opt-out models to subtly coerce compared various models of business the general populace by failing to fully in over 200 books. After working in inform patients of what is going on. both the START and Career Centers, This discovery reinforced his passion she wanted to know if existing for bio-ethics. “This is why philosophy business models could be adjusted is so important to medicine in to work on a tertiary educational general,” he says. “It gives you another level. “Information is out there,” she language to speak, and the tools to do VD\V ´EXW LW·V UHDOO\ KDUG WR ÀQG DQG it. This is especially imperative when GLIIHUHQW RIÀFHV DUHQ·W DV FRQQHFWHG DV recommending treatment. It gives us they should be.” Interested in solving an ethical framework to build off of.” this dilemma, Mai hopes to design and Committing yourself to a summer implement a program in one of the research project requires more than RIÀFHV KHUH DW :HVWPLQVWHU 6KH VD\V self-discipline, dedication, and an “If we could break down the pieces acceptance of your inner nerd. As each of a good model, and recombine of these students demonstrated, it them with the strongest parts from takes a strong passion for your subject, other models, we could make the best an interest in your community, and LQIRUPDWLRQ ÁRZ SURJUDP HYHU µ general love of learning, all which Tyler, a junior with a contractual combined to make this summer one of major in bio-ethics, researched the diverse creativity and curiosity for the ethicality of newborn screening for Honors community. genetic defects. Prompted by the -Caitlyn Stringham intriguing situations he saw on a 6HQLRU ELRORJ\ VWXGHQW -DNH :D\PDQ GHVFULEHV WKH YLHZ IURP KLV IRXUWK ÁRRU UHVHDUFK ODE LQ WKH QHZO\ FRPSOHWHG 0HOGUXP 6FLHQFH &HQWHU DV ´QRW EDG µ SHC Events Study Abroad Panel Not Just about Free Pizza How can learning about Darwinism in 19th Century German Art help an Honors student take more from his or her environment at Westminster? When guest lecturer Alexandra .DUO SUHVHQWHG KHU ÀQGLQJV RQ WKH VXEMHFW DW WKH ÀUVW ´3L]]D ZLWK WKH Profs” event of the year, I had the RSSRUWXQLW\ WR ÀQG RXW :DWFKLQJ upper classmen mingle with some of the younger students, as well as hearing the different types of questions &KULVWLQD 'HOOD ,DFRQR DQG &KULV 5RXQG\ DW WKH DQQXDO +RQRUV +DOORZHHQ SDUW\ Adventures, Challenges, and New Perspectives coming from students and professors alike, it became clear that Student Honors Council (SHC) events are not just about academics. “The bonds that all of us in SHC have developed with other Honors students have been huge parts of our experiences at Westminster,” SHC Secretary Marya Smith explains. “Bonds developed between older and younger students create opportunities for mentoring;; relationships between professors and students allow for a lot of academics advice and some really fantastic recommendation letters.” Participation in events where the professors take the lead, such as Pizza with the Profs and Profs Pick the Flick, provide an opportunity for students to investigate topics that do not come up in class. The SHC presidency hopes that these types of experiences will get students interested in unique subjects, possibly opening doors they may never have found. However, not all SHC events are academic. Various “Nerd Hikes” encourage students to get outdoors after spending copious amounts of time inside working on papers. Parties celebrating holidays, such as Halloween, allow for non-academic socializing and foster some friendly competition. SHC sponsors a viewing party on Election Day for students interested in politics, and at the end the semester, Dead Paper Society helps students to brush off bad papers by burning them. “I think they help students with college work by giving them a break from all that homework stuff,” remarks SHC Vice President Camber Stoddard. Being in the Honors program can get you where you want to be;; SHC helps make the process more enjoyable. The events they sponsor allow students to explore new DFDGHPLF ÀHOGV EXW DOVR WR UHPHPEHU to make friends, relax, and have some fun. -Melody Redmond Honors in ASWC Engaging the Westminster Community This year, several Honors students are serving in Westminster student government (ASWC). Among them are: Cooper Henderson, President;; Tyler Sutton, Director of Clubs and Organizations;; Camber Stoddard, Attorney General;; Jacob Kovac, Director of Communications;; and Laura Wolf, Diversity Chair. These students joined ASWC for a variety of reasons, ranging from thinking it would be fun to wanting to make positive changes around campus. Stoddard said she joined because she knew the other Honors students running for ASWC and liked the idea of working with her peers in the broader Westminster community. “It doesn’t surprise me that there are so many Honors students serving on ASWC,” she said. “Honors students are motivated, speak and write well, and have the skill sets to get elected … And it’s nice working with a base of people you know.” To apply for ASWC cabinet SRVLWLRQV VWXGHQWV PXVW ÀOO RXW D candidate form and campaign in the student body to gain votes, a page 2 process requiring these students to but it does take up a lot of time and reach beyond the comfort of the energy. Having a great idea with what Honors community. For diversity chair you would do if elected doesn’t hurt positions, however, the application either.” process is somewhat more relaxed, but While serving on ASWC is a time still requires interviews with the Vice commitment, it certainly has its President and Activities Coordinator. rewards. Students participating in Students serving on ASWC help with Westminster’s student government freshman orientation, but the majority have the opportunity to meet more of their duties center on bringing students, create events that engage together the entire Westminster the campus, and inspire the student community, from freshman to body to truly become part of the faculty. Larger campus events such Westminster community. as the annual block party and Wild -Lexie Banks Wednesdays provide opportunities for campus to mingle and make new connections. Specialty chairs, like the diversity chair, help with other events that expand Westminster’s global perspectives, including the Diversity Lecture Series and the international festival. For other Honors students interested in joining ASWC, the current government has some advice. “I would recommend 7KLUG IURP OHIW &RRSHU +HQGHUVRQ $6:& 3UHVLGHQW FHQWHU considering how much free time 7\OHU 6XWWRQ 'LUHFWRU RI &OXEV DQG 2UJDQL]DWLRQV WKLUG IURP you have to donate,” Laura said. “It ULJKW -DFRE .RYDF 'LUHFWRU RI &RPPXQLFDWLRQV VHFRQG IURP is a lot of fun working with ASWC ULJKW &DPEHU 6WRGGDUG $WWRUQH\ *HQHUDO Last spring, four Westminster Honors students packed their bags and sallied forth into new territory, their destinations traversing the JOREH &DUROLQH +LOO WKH ÀUVW +RQRUV student to participate in the Principia Consortium, immersed herself in the resplendent landscape of Scotland while Kayla Whidden headed south to Argentina for a change of pace. In Israel, Shoshana Zohar returned to her family roots, and Cassidy Jones headed to Africa for an adventure in Madagascar. These students reported on their experiences during an Honors study abroad panel in September. Their report gave the audience—mostly those interested in study abroad—tips and ideas for their own journeys. Although each student traveled for different reasons, they had incredible experiences and discovered new things about themselves. As a member of the Principia Consortium, Caroline participated in an interdisciplinary class similar to Honors seminars at Westminster. Her classmates included honors students from around the world at a university founded in the 15th century. Although Caroline’s program was academically intense, she didn’t spend all her time hitting the books, but found time to travel throughout Scotland and Europe. Shoshana chose Israel primarily because of her personal connection with family members, some of whom still live there. However, she also enjoyed experiencing the complexities of such a historically rich culture. For Kayla, studying abroad provided a chance to get away from the pressures of school, but what she encountered in Argentina changed her perspective on service to others. Describing her experience, Kayla states, “I saw a lot of poverty…At ÀUVW , IHOW KRSHOHVV UHDOL]LQJ WKDW WKHUH is a lot to change in the world and a lot of people and attitudes that stand between me and the utopia I wanted to create.” Yet, retaining her desire to help others, Kayla emerged from this hopeless attitude and found a renewed dedication to the American spirit of service. As a freshman, Cassidy never dreamed she would experience the ZRQGHUV RI 0DGDJDVFDU :KLOH ÀQGLQJ a program in Madagascar presented a greater challenge than most study abroad destinations, she did not let the obstacles of an unusual location deter &DUROLQH +LOO .D\OD :KLGGHQ 6KRVKDQD =RKDU DQG &DVVLG\ -RQHV VKDUH SKRWRV IURP WKHLU WUDYHO H[SHULHQFHV her. Cassidy advises other students to pick something or someplace they love and not feel limited in their options. And while Cassidy experienced the cultural shock of a country still in the midst of development, she learned much from the country and its people. Although all four students participated in different programs and traveled for a variety of reasons, all four have the same advice for those considering study abroad. Whether you crave an academic challenge, want to immerse yourself in a different culture and language, or simply have the travel bug, do the research, explore your options, plan ahead, and head out! -Kellie Carrigan Alumni News Honors Alumni Entering Graduate School this Year: Lahdan Saeed Heidarian (’08), University of Utah’s Medical School Colin Crebs (’09), University of Utah’s Law School McKay Holland (’09), Brandeis University’s MA program in Philosophy Jay Springer (’09), University of Michigan’s Law School Omid Adibnazari (’10), University of Utah’s Medical School Paula Porter (’10), University of Utah’s Medical School Amanda Ruiz (’10), University of Arizona’s Law School Robin Hill (’10), Stanford University’s MA in International Education Administration and Policy Analysis Heather Dalton (’10), Creighton University’s School of Medicine Chelsea DiFrancesco (’10), University of Washington’s Masters in Library and Information Science Heath Pascoe (’10), University of Texas Southwestern’s Ph.D. program in Chemistry Andrew Waterhouse (’10), University of Utah’s MA program in Philosophy page 3 Student News & Notes Mai Ho and Kayla Whidden are participating in the Opportunity Quest Business Plan Competition with the project Micro-Finance Institution in the Dominican Republic. Demetrius Coombs presented UHVHDUFK ÀQGLQJV DW WKH WK $QQXDO Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology and the 24th Annual Symposium of the Protein Society. 7KH 6SLWÀUH *ULOO featured three Honors students in a cast of eleven: Fehmi Yasin, Annie Brings, and Hailey Henderson. Christina Della Iacono was accepted into the McNair Scholars program, and also joined the selection committee for the new neuroscience/honors faculty search. Christina Della Iacono, Fehmi Yasin, Jeff Pedersen, Jackie Wilson, Natalia Noble (’10), and John Cook (’10) toured Ireland with the Westminster Chamber Singers in May. Tracy Hansford walked over 200 miles on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage ending in Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Sam Webster ZDV WKH ÀUVW LQWHUQ for Salt Lake County’s Open Space program over the summer. Cassidy Jones, Jared Christensen, Caroline Hill, Tyler Sutton, Mai Ho, Cooper Henderson, Hailey Henderson, and Christopher Roundy attended the 2010 Conference of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in Kansas City, Missouri. Samuel Wilkinson is currently studying economics and Mandarin Chinese at Nankai University in Tianjin, China. page 4 Fighting Freshmen Fears The Living Arts $W ÀUVW $XJXVW did not feel different than any other day— but then it hit me: I was going to college. But I knew it was too late to turn back, so I packed myself into the car with the rest of my belongings. Arriving on campus after driving from Ogden, I was absolutely +RQRUV IUHVKPHQ FODVV RI WDNH D EUHDN IURP RULHQWDWLRQ WR SRVH IRU WKH SHWULÀHG , ZDV DQQXDO LQFRPLQJ FODVV SKRWR RQ WKH 9LOODJH *UHHQ seriously toying with “these people have had almost four the idea of running years to get okay with being up there back home when I saw my roommate, like that, telling emotionally unsure an Honors student herself. I looked parents why their kids will be okay in again, and there was another Honors the Honors program. That seems like student moving in, and another one! I kind of a big deal to me.” This idea was not alone. Cera Cantu, another entering Honors of communicating to your peers and people you’d never met resonated with freshman, recalls a similar experience. Jessie. “Personally, I think that you can “I remember starting Honors have the best idea in the world, you orientation being completely worried,” could have found the cure for cancer, she said. “I was still surprised that I but if you can’t be on the same page had even made it into the program.” with a group of people, that idea isn’t Watching a group of upper-class going anywhere.” The Honors program Honors peer mentors, she noticed, provides an environment where “They seemed like the best of friends. students can learn to do just that. I couldn’t help but wonder if our class Wyatt Jackson also discovered the was ever going to get to that point.” It wasn’t until the end of orientation that importance of friendship during orientation. For one of the activities, Cera realized “even though everybody the new students split into groups to in our class is different, we have one play a game. Each group had to answer thing connecting us: we love to learn.” an obscure question, then everyone Jessie Aragon shares a story about would vote on which answer was the the question and answer session. best. By the end of the game, Wyatt’s $W ÀUVW VKH IHOW VRUU\ IRU WKH group was in last place and knew upperclassmen because they had to something had to be done. When the sit in front of a big audience and question “How would you describe answer questions. Then she realized, the smell of coffee in the morning to your friend that can’t smell?” Wyatt, hidden upstairs, called out “It’s like the rugged voice of Clint Eastwood.” As he walked into the room, everybody was smiling. His group still lost, but “we ended the game with a bang.” And the best part? “I earned a little respect from the people that I would end up becoming great friends with.” Many other Honors freshmen had experiences just like these. Honors orientation, and the friends we made, helped us deal with all the stress and anxiety of starting college. -Sara McCaskey $XURUD *UHHQ 6WHYHQ 1DJLH DQG $QGUp %LVFD\H JHW WR On August 31, the Honors freshmen class settled into Nunemaker Place for WKH ÀUVW /LYLQJ $UWV VHPLQDU RI WKH year. We sat around the table, on the ÁRRU DQG LQ KDSKD]DUGO\ SODFHG FKDLUV DQG ORYH VDFV H[SHFWLQJ WR EH VKXIÁHG aside as the class started. Much to our delight, we weren’t. A professor none of us recognized from orientation moved to the front of the room, struggled with the projector a little, then taught us how to play Roulette and understand the mathematics behind the game. Since then, Honors freshmen have URFN FOLPEHG ZDWFKHG ÀOP FOLSV learned how to treat a head wound, meditated, explored our ecological footprints, and took a moonlit hike to look at the stars. “It’s a new thing every class,” commented Cera Cantu, one of the students in Living Arts, DW D WDEOH RI RWKHU ÀUVW \HDU +RQRUV students who all nodded along with her statement. Wyatt Jackson added that Living Arts is always entertaining, remembering being turned into a mummy as the model for bandaging methods. “Living Arts lets me learn about all the things I wanted to, but never had the time to,” said freshman Catie Wagner. Honors freshmen also use Living Arts as an extra study tool. After class, circles of students can be seen discussing the prompt due in Humanities the next day or making fun of Socrates. “It provides a break from the monotony of everyday class,” commented Wyatt, who said that the refreshing class helps his academic load seem a little more manageable. First year students unanimously DJUHHG WKDW WKH PRVW EHQHÀFLDO SDUW RI the class is bringing the two sections of Humanities together to get to New Honors Students Find Friendship at Orientation Student News & Notes Where Honors Students Come Alive know each other outside of the typical classroom environment. “It helps the two classes to unify,” said Wyatt, who had just had dinner with a student from the other Humanities class. Samantha Kilpack, a freshman, mentioned the structure of Nunemaker Place itself and the way Living Arts utilizes it, calling it comfortable and “a unique place where Honors kids can connect.” Other students call it “cozy.” Upperclassmen in the Honors program marvel at how the program evolves every year. Victoria Valencia, a junior, said, “When I was in Living Arts it was just starting up;; it was really different than it is now. It improves and gets more eclectic each year.” Living Arts provides Honors freshmen a way to build friendships while learning about the things that D W\SLFDO FROOHJH FODVV FDQQRW ÀW LQWR the curriculum. While the class will look different every year, Tuesday nights in Nunemaker Place will always EH D FRPIRUWDEOH KRPH IRU ÀUVW \HDU students in the Honors program. -Nicole Bedera )LUH /LIH 6DIHW\ (GXFDWLRQ 6SHFLDOLVW 0HJKDQ +HNNHU SUHVHQWV HPHUJHQF\ SUHSDUHGQHVV IRU DQ 2FWREHU /LYLQJ $UWV VHVVLRQ Honorable Mention was recently awarded first place in the “Student Published” category of NCHC’s National Newsletter Contest. Laura Wolf attend the National Association of Campus Activities in California to help look for upcoming acts on campus with ASWC. Meghan Hekker has been accepted to present at Western Michigan University’s International Congress on Medieval Studies this May. Jackie Wilson ran a child care program in Crested Butte, Colorado over the summer. Jacob Wayman LV WKH ÀUVW Westminster student named as a MCLA Scholar Athlete. Marie Robinson (’07) accepted a position at the University of California Riverside working with the Dean of the Graduate School of Education. Yvonne Clark was accepted into the McNair Scholars Program. David Mursener-Gonzales is interning with the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy. Jessica Hawks worked for the National Park Service over the summer in Moab. Lauren Johnson will be traveling to Scotland to participate in the Principia Consortium at the University of Glasgow this spring. Camber Stoddard was awarded a TRIALS fellowship and spent 5 weeks this summer living at NYU in Manhattan. Cooper Henderson visited Russia as one of 15 undergraduates from around the country to meet with young Russian leaders. NQRZ HDFK RWKHU DQG JHW DFFXVWRPHG WR +RQRUV WKLQNLQJ page 5 NCHC in K.C. One Student’s Experience at a Na tional Conference and in a New City Until this October, I had never been focusing on the major blues scene. There Badenhausen asked us to attend other further east than Vernal, Utah, so it was were also several works of street art and sessions. Chris Roundy and I attended one a bit disorienting stepping off the plane many other large paintings on the sides on peer mentoring, where we realized our in Kansas City and seeing the virtually of buildings. We ended up at Jack Stack, a program is very strong. We have a higher ÁDW KRUL]RQ LQ DOO GLUHFWLRQV ,·OO DGPLW , .DQVDV &LW\ RULJLQDO DQG LW GHÀQLWHO\ OLYHG ratio of mentors to freshmen, so we can wasn’t particularly excited about this year’s up to all the hype. work on a more personal level. National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) conference being held in the Midwest, but my mind began to change on the car ride from the airport. The city skyline drew my attention with its mix of old industrial buildings and modern glass structures. We didn’t have DQ\ REOLJDWLRQV RQ RXU ÀUVW GD\ VR ZH spent the evening exploring, and ended up in the Power and Light district. It’s WKH SODFH WR JR WR ÀQG DOO NLQGV RI restaurants, music venues, and theatres. Thursday was free until the opening session, and we decided to get some famous Kansas City barbecue. We 3LFWXUHG IURP OHIW WR ULJKW 7\OHU 6XWWRQ &DUROLQH +LOO +DLOH\ +HQGHUVRQ &RRSHU +HQGHUVRQ &KULV 5RXQG\ 0DL +R -DUHG &KULVWHQVHQ DQG &DVVLG\ -RQHV UHSUHVHQWHG :HVWPLQVWHU DW WKH &RQIHUHQFH RI WKH 1DWLR QDO &ROOHJLDWH +RQRUV &RXQFLO walked through downtown and the Crossroads Art District. This is where I The conference began on Friday, and On Saturday, Tyler Sutton and I gave really started to appreciate the city. What we were excited for the opportunity to our presentation on contractual majors. caught my attention were two large murals come together, share research, and discuss Both of us spent the majority of last year spreading across two buildings. They ideas for improvement. Four groups from building ours, and we talked about how the depicted the history of Kansas City culture, Westminster were presenting, and Dr. +RQRUV SURJUDP SKLORVRSK\ LQÁXHQFHG RXU page 6 processes. Our session was about students taking an active role in their education, and we were paired with students who created their own classes. We got positive feedback and some directors trying to start contract major programs asked us questions. Later, we attended a plenary with speaker Aron Ralston, the man who got pinned by a boulder and had to cut his own arm off. He gave us some interesting things to talk about, since two of our group had relatives directly involved in his situation. 7R ÀQLVK RII WKH FRQIHUHQFH 'U Badenhausen took us all to a great soul food restaurant with live blues music called The Peachtree. We spent dinner talking about our experiences and our impressions of Kansas City. NCHC isn’t just an academic experience;; it’s a chance explore a new environment and meet other students from around the country. It provides an opportunity to learn about yourself and ÀQG LQVSLUDWLRQ E\ GLVFRYHULQJ ZKDW·V underneath the surface of an exciting new city. -Jared Christensen page 7 Jamie Resnick 6WXGHQW 3URÀOH Jamie Resnick is no stranger to Westminster’s Honors program, though she is only a freshman. Jamie plans to major in biology and is also considering minors in physics and chemistry. Even before she came to Westminster, she had seen what it is like to be an Honors student from her brother, Jesse, who recently graduated from the Honors program. Jamie knew that Honors would be a challenge, but her EURWKHU UHDVVXUHG KHU WKDW WKH EHQHÀWV ZRXOG IDU RXWZHLJK WKH GLIÀFXOWLHV %XW -DPLH LV QR VWUDQJHU WR GLIÀFXOW HQYLURQPHQWV 6KH VXUURXQGV KHUVHOI ZLWK environments and situations where there is variety and she knows she will be challenged. She hails from New Mexico and worked with a division of the National Laboratory in Los Alamos analyzing stable isotopes and carbohydrates of tree rings. Outside the classroom, she is also a solo whitewater canoeist, skier, rock climber, scientist, and artist among other things. Jamie works on ski patrol in the winter and bike patrol in the summer, and has found that she loves caring for people in an environment where she never knows what will happen next. New challenges require Jamie to adapt to new environments, and she has been able to use her skills from outside the realm of academics to help her adapt to the Honors atmosphere. When asked about her experience as a new Honors student, she responded, “adapting to new writing skills, writing arguable claims, and defending them has been a challenge.” But even though it’s a challenge, Jamie says, “My honors experience has been great! I enjoy the professors, other students, and the intellectual discussion we have in class. I have enjoyed improving my critical thinking skills.” 7KH WKLQJV -DPLH ZLOO FRQWLQXH WR JDLQ LQ WKH +RQRUV SURJUDP ZLOO EHQHÀW KHU LQ KHU FDUHHU RI FKRLFH 6KH DVSLUHV WR EH a trauma surgeon, and is excited about the opportunity to help people with life-threatening injuries in an unpredictable atmosphere. But Honors skills do not just pay off in the future;; even now, Honors has helped Jamie in other courses. She H[SODLQV ´, ÀQG P\VHOI ORRNLQJ DW RWKHU WH[WV IURP RWKHU FODVVHV FULWLFDOO\ $OVR LQ UHYHUVH , ÀQG P\VHOI XVLQJ NQRZOHGJH from all the facets of my education in discussion in class.” -Nicole Holbrook )DFXOW\ 3URÀOH Sean Desilets When asked what inspires them, most people won’t say that they are “inspired by failure.” But for Film Studies and Honors professor Dr. Sean Desilets, failure is H[DFWO\ ZKDW GULYHV KLV SDVVLRQ IRU ÀOPV $V RWKHU PRYLH JRHUV VLPSO\ ODXJK FU\ RU shriek, Dr. Desilets unearths a movie’s meaning by looking for the “warring things” ZLWKLQ LW WKDW ´QHJDWLYHO\µ FUHDWH PHDQLQJ +H ÀQGV D ÀOP PRVW LQWHUHVWLQJ ZKHQ it “can’t say what it wants to say.” It is this unique approach to cinema that Dr. 'HVLOHWV KDV EURXJKW WR WKH ÀOP VWXGLHV GHSDUWPHQW DW :HVWPLQVWHU Yet failure certainly isn’t on Dr. Desilets’ mind when he is in the classroom. He describes the interaction between himself and his students as a mutual learning H[SHULHQFH 1RW RQO\ GRHV KH VKDUH KLV H[SHUWLVH RQ ÀOPV ZLWK KLV FODVV EXW KH DOVR EHQHÀWV IURP WKH LQVLJKWV RI KLV VWXGHQWV ´:KHQ \RX WHDFK VRPHWKLQJ µ 'U Desilets says, “you pay really close attention to it.” So, when students pointed out surprising similarities between the Hollywood blockbuster Jaws and the 1948 Italian classic 7KH %LF\FOH 7KLHI, he had an “opportunity to notice something really interesting that [was] going on.” This interaction between students and professor helps Dr. Desilets balance his dedication to teaching with his other academic pursuits. Films have fascinated Dr. Desilets since he was young. His parents brought him to the theatre frequently, and Dr. Desilets UHPHPEHUV RQH SDUWLFXODU SRVW PRYLH GLVFXVVLRQ WKDW DZDNHQHG KLP WR WKH SRVVLELOLWLHV RI DQDO\]LQJ ÀOPV $IWHU KLV SDUHQWV ZDWFKHG WKH 6WHYHQ 6SLHOEHUJ ÀOP DGDSWDWLRQ RI 7KH &RORU 3XUSOH, his father remarked to a group of friends that the movie LQFOXGHG WRR PDQ\ ´6SLHOEHUJLVPVµ ² WKDW LV LW ZDV WRR JLPPLFN\ 7KLV ZDV WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKDW 'U 'HVLOHWV EHKHOG WKH PDJLF RI FULWLFDO DQDO\VLV RI PDNLQJ WKH KLGGHQ HOHPHQWV RI PRYLHV DQG WH[WV YLVLEOH +H KDVQ·W KHVLWDWHG LQ KLV GHYRWLRQ WR ÀOP studies and the broader art of interpretation since then, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1992 and his doctorate from Tufts University in 2007. 7KLV LV 'U 'HVLOHWV· WKLUG \HDU DW :HVWPLQVWHU GXULQJ ZKLFK WLPH KH KDV WDXJKW (QJOLVK ÀOP VWXGLHV DQG JHQGHU VWXGLHV courses, as well as the Honors seminar “The Arts in Performance.” Dr. Desilets calls Honors students “interesting people” and says he enjoys observing the unique way that they “think about themselves” and make themselves an active part of the Westminster community. -Melanie Long page 8 Describe an instance when an on-campus opportunity inspired you to create a new path for yourself. How do college experiences shape students’ personal pursuits? 6WXGHQW 5HVSRQVH )DFXOW\ 5HVSRQVH Lesa Ellis, PhD 3URIHVVRU RI 3V\FKRORJ\ Stacy Blaylock &ODVV RI The course of my life changed right here at Westminster, but not in the classroom. Instead, it occurred in the restroom . . . the VHFRQG ÁRRU UHVWURRP in Converse, no less. Here’s how : I started Westminster a nontraditional, part-time student with a vague idea to change my life and no idea how to do it. I decided to major in English since I quite liked to read. It seemed reason enough at the time. 0\ ÀUVW VHPHVWHU , WRRN (QJOLVK IRU REYLRXV UHDVRQV and Psych 105 (to learn about Freud and dreams and such). By midterm, two issues came to light. First - I liked English and did it quite well. Second – some people in psych study BRAINS!!! My professor was one of those people. She was what one would think a brain scientist should be –absent minded, disorganized, and her lecture style was tangential at best. And I loved, loved, loved every minute of her class. My second semester, I took English 220 and an upper division course on BRAINS!!! By midterm, two issues came to light. First – I still liked English and did it quite well. And, second, I loved brains but brain class was hard! My psych midterm was a bear, and I was nervous about my performance. Once graded, the professor didn’t turn them back until the end of class and I desperately needed to pee. By the time she handed me my exam I shoved it in my backpack and sprinted for the door. I barely made it WR WKH ZRPHQ·V URRP LQ WLPH $IWHU ,·G ÀQLVKHG , VWRRG LQ front of the child-sized sink and pulled my exam from my EDJ ÁLSSLQJ WKURXJK SDJHV LQ VHDUFK RI P\ VFRUH 7KHUH LW was and I had done very well, but the professor had added a note below. I can see it today – the red ink, her surprisingly tidy script, in the weak winter light as it came through the window. “Great job,” it said. “You have an excellent mind for this kind of work. You should consider it as a career.” And everything changed. No longer was I a nontraditional, part time student with a vague notion of why I was there. I was a woman with an excellent mind who could learn about BRAINS!!! And here I am, twelve years later, learning and thinking and teaching about brains. I’m a bit absent-minded, disheveled, tangential, and utterly content with what I do. Sometimes life-changing moments occur at strange times in very strange places. Even the women’s URRP *R ÀJXUH The Honors program encourages students to take advantage of the multiple opportunities available to them on the Westminster campus. Our fellow Honorables have KHOG RIÀFH LQ ASWC, edited the Ellipsis journal as staff members, and coordinated awareness and fundraising events for multiple causes. Honors students KDYH VKDSHG DQG GHÀQHG WKH HQYLURQPHQW RI :HVWPLQVWHU outside of the classroom. 0\ ÀUVW \HDU DW :HVWPLQVWHU 9 'D\ VZHSW PH LQWR LWV arms. V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls, centering on Eve Ensler’s controversial play, The Vagina Monologues. Over the past eight years, V-Day at Westminster has raised more than $60,000 to support VXUYLYRUV RI VH[XDO YLROHQFH GLUHFWO\ EHQHÀWLQJ WKH 5DSH Recovery Center in Sugarhouse. V-Day hosts a variety of events outside The Vagina Monologues: bake sales, workshops, auctions, and trainings. Needless to say, V-Day volunteers show passion and dedication to the cause. In 2009, the previous organizer asked me to take on V-Day and coordinate the ever-growing campaign. Frankly, , ZDV WHUULÀHG :KDW IROORZHG ZDV D \HDU RI VWUXJJOH DQG IXOÀOOPHQW ZKHUH LQVSLUDWLRQDO PHQ DQG ZRPHQ ZRUNHG together to reveal the stories behind the statistics of abuse. I developed as a leader and tested the skills I had learned through Honors. I began to understand the effort that goes into breaking the silence surrounding sexual assault. Most important of all, I learned about the cruelty we use against one another and the compassion we use to heal. I grew as a human. I came to Westminster as an unsure English student DQG , ZLOO JUDGXDWH DV D FRQÀGHQW ZRPDQ ,·P SURXG WR ZHDU the red and black of a Vagina Warrior. I believe Honors students, with our creativity and desire to excel, can discover ways to enrich our college experience. 3HUKDSV ZH ZLOO ÀQG DQ H[SHULHQFH WKDW VKDSHV XV RQH ZKLFK we can embrace wholeheartedly. I understand now that, beyond my major and my grades, I belong to a community RI ZLOG ÀHUFH DQG XQVWRSSDEOH DFWLYLVWV 7KH QHHG WR contribute meaningfully to the lives around me will always direct me. The Honors program has prepared me with the FRQÀGHQFH DQG UHVRXUFHV WR FUHDWH P\ RZQ SDWK 1R PDWWHU what future I create, I will create it with the dignity and passion that V-Day has given me. page 9 Honors Independent Summer Research Grants 7KH +RQRUV 3URJUDP PDNHV WKUHH ,QGHSHQGHQW 6XPPHU 5HVHDUFK $ZDUGV DQQXDOO\ 7KHVH DZDUGV DUH GHVLJQHG WR VXSSRUW +RQRUV VWXGHQWV ZKR DUH FRQGXFWLQJ KLJK OHYHO UHVHDUFK GXULQJ WKH VXPPHU LQ OLHX RI D IXOO WLPH VXPPHU MRE 7KHVH SURMHFWV VKRXOG OHDG WR FRQIHUHQFH SDSHUV RU SXEOLVKDEOH ZRUN 7KH DSSOLFDWLRQ SURFHVV WDNHV SODFH GXULQJ WKH VSULQJ RI HDFK \HDU DQG LV DGPLQLVWHUHG E\ WKH +RQRUV &RXQFLO $EVWUDFWV IURP WKH DZDUGV IROORZ “The Institutional Incentive for Corruption within Utah State Government” &RRSHU +HQGHUVRQ Senior Economics In January 2009 corruption within Utah’s state government became a huge focus for policy makers, WKH ORFDO PHGLD DQG FLWL]HQV DOLNH 7KH VWDWH RI 8WDK VXGGHQO\ UHÁHFWHG DERXW FRUUXSWLRQ ZLWKLQ VWDWH government. Whether this corruption was real or perceived sparked OHJLWLPDWH WHQVLRQ ZLWKLQ WKH VWDWH DQG DPSOLÀHG SXEOLF LQWHUHVW LQ WKLV VWRU\ People across Utah debated about the condition of their government and engaged in a thought experiment to identify the characteristics of an ideal state government. This research interprets the end results of this sudden focus on corruption in Utah, particularly the ethics reform passed in 2010 by the Utah State Legislature. To offer perspective for the ethics bills signed into law during 2010 this research explores the events and actions from the ÀIWHHQ PRQWKV LPPHGLDWHO\ SULRU WR WKH HWKLFV UHIRUP LQ TXHVWLRQ )LUVW WKLV research explains the abrupt focus on corruption by recounting the buildup to the 2009 General Legislative Session and cataloguing the ethics bills signed into law in 2009. This research then analyzes key events after the close of the 2009 General Legislative Session, especially the formation of WKH *RYHUQRU·V &RPPLVVLRQ RQ 6WUHQJWKHQLQJ 'HPRFUDF\ 7KH ÀQDO UHSRUW from this Commission presents a thorough and bipartisan analysis of state government in Utah, which this research utilizes to provide a reference SRLQW IRU WKH HWKLFV UHIRUP SDVVHG LQ $IWHU GLVVHFWLQJ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ·V ÀQDO UHSRUW WKLV UHVHDUFK recounts the buildup to the 2010 General Legislative Session and then catalogues the ethics bills signed into law in 2010. This enables a comparative analysis between the bipartisan recommendations offered by the Commission and the partisan legislation passed by the Utah State Legislature. The inconsistencies revealed through this analysis yield insight into the condition of state government in Utah. Finally, this research then uses John Rawls’ Theory of Justice to interpret the contradictions between the Commission’s bipartisan recommendation and partisan legislation passed by elected representatives. “Art and Activism in Escalante Country: An Environmental Literary History” &DVVLG\ -RQHV Senior English The Grand Staircase-Escalante region of south central Utah is an area at once rich and burdened by QDWXUDO PDJQLÀFHQFH FXOWXUDO KHULWDJH DQG QDWLRQDO DSSUREDWLRQ ,Q DFWLQJ XQGHU WKH MXULVGLFWLRQ of the Antiquities Act of 1906, President Bill Clinton established 1.7 million acres of desert, rivers, and rocks as Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a federally protected parcel of wilderness study DUHD DQG RSHQ VSDFH DQG WKH ÀUVW QDWLRQDO PRQXPHQW WR EH PDQDJHG E\ WKH %XUHDX RI /DQG 0DQDJHPHQW This historical development and the events that followed in its wake—abrupt designations of nationally protected resources, forced limitation of animal husbandry, and mounting popularity with backcountry recreation enthusiasts—make Escalante country an interesting and timely setting for environmental thought. page 10 In an age of overdevelopment, urban sprawl, and environmental exploitation, understandably romantic notions surround open space initiatives. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is no exception;; the Bureau of Land Management presents the monument as a national public asset for recreation, research, education, and preservation. However, Escalante is remarkable in the sense that the other side of the story seems unwritten. Environmental literature concerning other gems of Utah landscape abound as intriguing records of changing cultural perceptions about environment and wilderness. As of yet, Grand Staircase-Escalante seems devoid of similar creative examination. Whether skipped, skirted, or omitted, Escalante is simply missing from much literature and history about the state of Utah. Awareness of and accessibility to texts about Escalante are distinctly lacking;; thus, this study was principally designed to uncover and compile literary works of a place that seems both an ideological and a geographical frontier. Though scarcely referenced as of yet, works of Escalante environmental literary history offer ideas that resonate with Utahns as people living in enigmatic and endemic terrain. This project intends to present material and conceptual evidence that Grand StaircaseEscalante has a place in Utah’s state history and its current identity. “The Ethical Evaluation of New Born Screening as an Opt-out Program” Tyler Sutton Junior %LRHWKLFV In the early 1960’s newborn screening (NBS) was handed off by the federal government to the states for the purpose of testing infants for treatable disorders. Although this initiative was mandated by the federal government, the manner in which the program was implemented was left up to the individual states. Some states declared newborn screening a vital public good and exercised the program with force, mandating that all babies must be screened, while other states chose to use an opt-in model requiring clinicians to get permission from parents to perform the test. Complicating this variability was the introduction of massbio-sample research. Newborn screening is an ideal program for the gathering of a mass amount of genetic information within a given population. The problem is the permission to do this research (and the retention of samples) has been combined with the consent process in newborn screening. The permission for using someone’s genetic information for study and research is essentially leeching off the permission granted from newborn screening. Research should be separated from the clinical application of newborn screening, and different consent models should be used. However, for the purpose of my research I worked RQO\ LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI WKH FOLQLFDO EHQHÀW RI QHZERUQ VFUHHQLQJ DQG WKH consent processes that govern it from state to state, ignoring the varying DWWDFKPHQW RI UHVHDUFK SHUPLVVLRQV DQG VSHFLPHQ UHWHQWLRQ , VSHFLÀFDOO\ analyzed and evaluated the opt-out approach to newborn screening and illustrated that the model does QRW IXOÀOO WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI DQ RSW RXW FRQVHQW SURJUDP DQG KRZ WKH IXQFWLRQ RI WKLV PRGHO QHJOHFWV parental autonomy and ultimately coerces parents into consenting. In concluding my research I compared the problems the public vaccine initiative is experiencing to what could become the problems of newborn screening and advised that, in creating a national consistency for newborn screening, education and effective communication between clinician and parent is necessary for the success of the program. page 11 'HDU +RQRUDEOHV :H FRXOG QRW EH PRUH H[FLWHG WR ZHOFRPH \RX WR DQRWKHU DPD]LQJ DQG IXQ À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ear Colleagues, As each year brings a wave of new faces to the Honors program, we are reminded of the diversity within our group. Some of us snowboard and some ski, some analyze proteins and some dissect literature, some are quiet and pensive and some outgoingly boisterous, but we are all bound together by our shared passion for learning. Each semester as we set about editing Honorable Mention ZH ÀQG RXUVHOYHV once again amazed at the variety of accomplishments made by our fellow students. From completing summer research projects to participating in student government to presenting at conferences, your list is impressive and inspiring. /HIW WR ULJKW (OL]DEHWK 1HOVRQ OD\RXW -DFNLH :LOVRQ FRS\ But the best part of learning about your accomplishments is noticing how inspired each of you has been by your fellow students, your experiences here at 0HJKDQ +HNNHU FRS\ DQG &DVVLG\ -RQHV OD\RXW :HVWPLQVWHU DQG \RXU OLYHV RXWVLGH WKH FODVVURRP <RX ÀQG D SDVVLRQ DQG SXUVXH LW DQG ZH FRPPHQG \RX As this semester draws to a close, we must bid farewell to one of our editors, Meghan Hekker. We wish her luck in her future HQGHDYRUV DQG KRSH VKH ÀQGV DV PXFK LQVSLUDWLRQ LQ KHU SXUVXLW RI JUDGXDWH VFKRRO DV VKH KDV LQ KHU WLPH KHUH DW :HVWPLQVWHU :H KRSH \RX DOO KDYH D JRRG EUHDN DQG FRQWLQXH WR ÀQG \RXU RZQ LQVSLUDWLRQV DQG LQ WXUQ LQVSLUH RWKHUV Honorably Yours, 0HJKDQ +HNNHU &DVVLG\ -RQHV -DFNLH :LOVRQ (OL]DEHWK 1HOVRQ Co-editors of Honorable Mention Honors Program Westminster College 1840 S. 1300 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84105 www.westminstercollege.edu/honors We will be nationally recognized as an exemplary community of learners, distinguished by our distinctive educational programs, our record of preparing graduates for success in a rapidly changing world, and our commitment to continuous improvement, effectiveness, and value. POK #ZHVWPLQVWHUFROOHJH HGX FOM #ZHVWPLQVWHUFROOHJH HGX MQZ #ZHVWPLQVWHUFROOHJH HGX HDQ #ZHVWPLQVWHUFROOHJH HGX