2021 Spring The Honorable Mention

Connie Etter (She/Her), assistant professor in the Honors college and Justice Studies program Photo courtesy of Brent Olson Outdoor environment as a source of mental support and motivation B Y VA N E S S A E V E L E T H Daily time spent outdoors was disrupted by the arrival of COVID-19 for Connie Etter, an assistant professor in the Honors college and Justice Studies program. “It’s actually more effort making time to be outdoors in a pandemic,” said Etter. Yet time in an outdoor space is necessary for Etter’s mental health. Crabbiness, a lack of motivation, and a “gross sensation” are what Etter experiences when she has not connected to the natural world in a while. “I am not the same person if I’m not active, like in my body, and active outside,” Etter said, who will cycle up to 200 miles a day as an ultra-endurance sport. As a professor, Etter said that students and educators are expected to be highly attentive, but that constant state of concentration is difficult to maintain. A bike ride, a walk around the block, or a stroll through campus are small pauses from being attentive. “Yeah, they’re breaks,” Etter said, “but I’m still thinking kind of in a meditative way. I can go back to the classwork and dive into [work] with more energy and more focus because I’ve had some time [to recharge].” First-year communication major Mikey O’Hearn has spent more time outside since the pandemic began. But he said that his first year at Westminster may be a contributing factor. “I came from New Jersey, which, obviously we hung out outdoors,” O’Hearn said. “But Utah’s much more of an outdoor state with so much more to do outdoors.” For O’Hearn, the outdoors is “something magical,” and part of the magic is that it increases a person’s motivation. “Whatever you’re doing [outdoors], you’re very focused on Continued on page 8 PAGE FIVE a community PAGE Finding to improve mental health during the FOUR pandemic · · Spring 2021 Volume 19 Issue 2 Staff Profile: Steph Santarosa International students find support by reaching out BY ZIDIA GIBSON Honors students at Westminster College are likely familiar “My mom used to check on me all the time and I lost that with the duck metaphor - “Don’t be a duck.” Coined by when I came here because she doesn’t have access to my life Richard Badenhausen, dean of the Honors college, the phrase anymore,” Timseena said. “But I joke around with [Santarosa] encourages students to ask for help when needed instead of and say, ‘you know, I just needed someone to check on me and trying to seem calm and collected on the surface. The saying then I found you.’” rings true for international students, says international Honors For a school of Westminster’s size, there are few international student Sanskriti Timseena (‘21). students, but that didn’t stop Timseena from seeking out the “I feel like a lot of international students, when they come small community “all the time for support.” here, they feel like they have Timeseena is the president to go through everything of the International Student on their own,” Timseena Association (ISA) club, which said. “And I experience aims to bring international and that a lot with myself and local students together to share with younger international and talk about their cultures, students. If you’re struggling, thoughts, and ways of being ask for help.” in an open space, according Timseena hails from to Associated Students of Kathmandu, Nepal. An Westminster older friend already enrolled One of the most significant at Westminster convinced contrasts between Nepal and the them to apply to Honors. United States, Timseena said, is Fast forward four years and that life back home is much more Timseena balances their relaxed. time double majoring in “Americans are constantly computer science and math, on the go because of capitalism, and working as a resident and if you’re not on the go, you advisor on campus. feel guilty,” Timseena said. “I “When I first came here, started experiencing that after it was very hard because I I came here. It costs less to live didn’t know when I would [in Nepal] and everything is not call family or when they money-driven.” would be online,” they said. Timseena remembered when “But now I know. It’s been they would go out to restaurants four years, so I do have a in Utah with friends and everyone good support system even would pay for their own meals. though I don’t have family “That was a culture shock for or relatives here.” me,” they said. “It’s like, ‘why?’ Honors faculty prove My money is my friend’s money. to be powerful allies in We always order family style [in Left: Sanskriti Timseena (They/Them); Right: Prashanti Limbu (She/Her) acclimating to a new Nepal] and we all share the food Photo courtesy of Bibek Neupane environment, according to because the community is a lot Timseena. tighter and less individualistic than it is here.” “The people who run the program, Richard and Steph, Prashanti Limbu, a junior environmental studies major, also have always been very supportive of me, and I can feel it, you belongs to ISA and finds solace talking to the international know?” Timseena said. “I feel like they’re both really on the community on campus. students’ side and want us to succeed.” “It’s really comforting knowing people can participate and Timseena and Steph Santarosa used to meet every week talk about how things are going, and learn about any events since their sophomore year to discuss time management and that can get international students involved, because we are all enhance prioritization skills. Their relationship, Timseena said, dispersed and not one,” Limbu said. is that of two friends rather than a student and an advisor. Limbu is also from Nepal and began her Honors journey as a 2 lateral entry student. After hearing about Westminster through roommate and I had a potluck, though, which was really a friend in high school, she began researching the college and comforting.” eventually got in communication with the Office for Global Li rooms with a student who currently holds an immigrant Engagement. status, and while they may not technically be an international “I asked them, ‘hey, can you help me get in touch with student, he said the two of them still share a lot of the same other folks?’ and that was the first time I talked with Sanskriti,” sentiments since neither are going back home during the Limbu said. pandemic. Limbu recalled there being set rules people could choose But as years go on, Li finds himself getting more used to from when it came to majors and minors in Nepali education, living in the United States than he was during his first year which made it “really hectic” and hard to fit in. at Westminster. His favorite Honors course is Welcome to “That was the main reason I wanted to study abroad because Thinking III because it helped cultivate how he views the world. I did not fall into any category,” she said. “I wanted to be in a On-campus activities held prior to the pandemic, like the liberal arts college where barbeque events hosted there was lots of freedom by the Honors college to be able to decide what his junior year, allowed to study.” Li to understand “When it snows, it reminds me of the Himalayas and I feel Since coming to American culture in an the United States, easier, more efficient like that’s the spiritual connection that I have with Salt Limbu found the way. Lake.” communication gap the For many students, most daunting to try transitioning to college and grapple with as an is like navigating murky, Prashanti Limbu (’22) international student. uncharted waters. “You don’t know if Feeling overwhelmed you’re doing the right and uncertain can thing, or if you’re going threaten to drown to say the right word or not, and that’s something I would say students before a solid community and routine act as a life that messes up with my confidence,” Limbu said. “Getting back vest. International students who arrive in the United States and screaming in your pillow and saying, ‘oh, my god, I should experience a new degree of unfamiliarity that requires a have done that [instead], but I hope they will understand.’” different type of courage, curiosity, and commitment. Yet despite the hardships, Limbu welcomed a challenge. It’s “There are some people who look down on those who don’t why she applied to the Honors college in the first place, and it’s speak English as their first language,” Li said. “I would say in what kept her going throughout her time here. those cases you can go to the Dean of Students Office or the “I wanted to get out of my bubble and expose myself to Bias Office.” an environment where I could talk and actually voice out my Timseena shared another perspective from being an opinion in a community that would respect it, help me get international student. better, and help me learn and grow,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like I want to go back [home] and never For senior physics major and math minor Yongtai Li, come here again, because for a lot of international students, it studying in the United States holds cultural value as well as is their first time being a minority in the US,” they said. “Back personal significance. home, they are not. They don’t have to deal with that.” “English was one of the subjects I had to learn to take my While there are new, sometimes difficult experiences university entrance exam,” Li said. “At that time, I was very international students face, Limbu has found common ground frustrated by learning English and I felt like it was just a subject between Utah and Nepal. instead of a language-bearing culture.” “Salt Lake itself reminds me of home because of the hills and Now, however, Li said he felt fortunate to have met a lot of the mountains that surround us,” she said. “When it snows, it friends who are from the United States. reminds me of the Himalayas and I feel like that’s the spiritual “By constantly communicating with them I learn a lot connection that I have with Salt Lake.” about the American culture and I improve my English skills, Like Timseena, Limbu encourages international students to especially my written and spoken skills,” Li said. not be afraid to reach out. Campus resources like the Office for Li was born and raised in Qingdao, China in the Shandong Global Engagement are designed to offer academic support and Province. The last time he visited home was a year ago before help students adjust to life in the United States. the pandemic hit. “I was so overwhelmed but happy when I was getting all “Usually when I get homesick, it’s mainly because there kinds of support from everyone,” Limbu said. “[Faculty, are cultural or national holidays that I miss, for example like professors, and staff] try their best to understand and that’s the the Chinese New Year about two weeks ago,” Li said. “My beauty of Westminster College.” 3 Finding a community to improve mental health during the pandemic BY SHELBY VOLOSIN For college students and faculty of bed and excited for the days ahead, around the world, the 2020-21 although it seems counterintuitive academic year is like no other. to develop a routine when days seem Adjusting to the uniqueness of online to blend together. Scheduling a daily learning is difficult for most people. time for one’s hobbies and self-care is The Center for Disease Control increasingly important. and Prevention encourages “We sometimes fall out of routine individuals to restrict public for a few days, and that is okay,” Cairo interaction and only socialize with said. “It is definitely helpful to be kind people in their own households. to ourselves and rest when our body When going outside, most people needs it.” wear face masks and keep their Unplugging from the world is a distance from others. self-care tactic Cairo uses to lift his Doing these things creates a major mood when feeling down. feeling of social isolation, which can “I think that in order for us to have negative impacts on mental continue to be socially engaged and health. to be advocates of justice, or to really Honors student Yovie Saiz just be people who care about other Yovie Saiz-Rodriguez (She/Her) Rodriguez (‘23) opened up about her people, we have to unplug from how Photo courtesy of Abbey Raynor mental health during the pandemic. bad things get sometimes,” Cairo “I kind of feel like said. “We must take it’s never going to end breaks and experience “We must take breaks and experience life in a different way and I kind of feel stuck,” life in a different way Rodriguez said. “Like it’s so that we continue to so that we continue to find joy, laughter, and community.” just a cycle we are living find joy, laughter, and in and just gets worse community.” and better and then When Rodriguez Dan Cairo worse, so it makes me feels down, she calls her less optimistic [about family. everything].” “When you think It seems as though the general that everything else is falling apart, it consensus regarding adhering to is good to think ‘okay, my loved ones COVID-19 procedures is the feeling are healthy and happy, and I am still in of being stuck. It is almost as if people contact with them,’” Rodriguez said. are living the same day over and over “When your loved ones are fine, then again. everything seems more bearable.” Dan Cairo, an Honors college Making a point of contacting professor, emphasized the importance loved ones and staying in touch with of developing a routine to stick to community is crucial during this time. during this time, until it becomes Although everything happening in normal. the world right now is overwhelming, “My routine is pretty consistent we can find solace in turning to each because I am a person of habit,” Cairo other. said. Communicating with others and Having a routine promotes stability remembering there is a world outside in life and can improve mental health, of the mind and the home grounds us. according to Cairo. Self-care is essential during this time, Establishing a routine full of so everyone has the energy to also care Dan Cairo (He/Him) activities one loves can get a person out for others. Photo courtesy of Ceci Rigby 4 Staff Profile: Steph Santarosa How an Honors staff member supports students throughout the year BY ZIDIA GIBSON If there’s one thing Steph Santarosa emphasizes through her role as assistant director of the Honors college, it’s that college is a learning lab for students. “It’s a place that hopefully will be the safest place you will have to make mistakes and take risks,” Santarosa said. “Because once you’re out in your job, there might be higher stakes.” Santarosa serves students in the Honors college by overseeing programming, orientation events, peer mentoring, and advising. “I try to be of support and encouragement and advocate for [students’] success throughout their entire time at Westminster College,” Santarosa said. Her role starts with Griffin GearUp, a summer program for admitted first-year students held prior to New Student Orientation. Santarosa meets individually with Honors students to help plan schedules and answer questions. In the spring semester, Santarosa conducts interviews looking for prospective peer mentors—the “secret sauce of community in Honors”—and hosts check-in meetings with mentors once a team is formed and the next semester rolls around. “What makes work exciting for me is variety,” Santarosa said. “Even though I’m advising over and over again, because there’s a different student I’m advising, there may be a different academic interest, different types of needs and concerns, different types of talents and skills [students] want to develop and opportunities they’re looking for.” Her assistance functions in tandem with the Honors Peer Mentoring Program to create a network between Honors students. A staple of the Honors college, student mentors are assigned mentees and tasked with being a source of support for incoming first-year and lateral entry students. “I’ll tell peer mentors, ‘sometimes, you’re just a safety net for a tightrope walker; they may never need you, but just you being there can hopefully give them more confidence’,” Santarosa said. In the 2020 fall semester, Santarosa was instrumental in helping the Honors college incorporate wellness and wellbeing programming into the first-year experience. During the first forty-five minutes of Tuesday and Wednesday Conversations, students attended mindfulness group sessions in yoga, meditation, or journaling. The second half of class, hosted by Steph Santarosa (She/Her), assistant director of the Honors college Photo courtesy Mike Santarosa “I try to be of support and encouragement and advocate for [students’] success throughout their entire time at Westminster College.” Steph Santarosa 5 peer mentors, included conversations about specialized topics. Honors plans to continue the wellness emphasis into the next academic year, buttressed by financial support from a successful Giving Day. “The idea there is to help students realize that they’re not a brain on a stick when you come to college,” Santarosa said. “Success is not going to be hunkering down in your residence hall room studying and writing papers all the time. You’re a whole individual and [we want to know] how we can support you in caring for all parts of who you are.” Santarosa has worked with Westminster Honors students for four years but has always been passionate about building a community on campus. Before moving to Utah, she was part of student affairs at numerous colleges and universities across the country. Most notable was her role as a student success advocate at the University of Utah. “I would say that position [at the University of Utah] really shaped a lot of how I approach my work with students because my entire job was advocating for student success,” Santarosa said. In the Honors college, Santarosa values the interactions she has with students. “One of the things that I really love about Westminster is the smaller community. It makes my day whenever student contact is part of it,” she said. “Here, it’s all about learning, and how can you learn if you don’t take risks and try something?” How the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center is cultivating spring BY SOPHIE CALIGIURI AND CECI RIGBY It is a human thing to love spring; we like to see things bloom. At the onset of 2020, March’s welcomed arrival carried many of us in different directions during a well-deserved and much needed spring break. But as we returned, unloading suitcases onto our driveways and carrying duffle bags up stairwells—we all ended up at the same place: stuck. However you started your quarantine (with sourdough starters and backyard picnics?), many have entered a point of reckoning: the monotony has caught up. Isolation takes its toll. As COVID-19 spread, so too did targeted attacks against Asian individuals, the violence continually heightened by the rhetoric and misinformation perpetuated by institutions of power. Rendering Asian communities at risk two-fold: faced both with the threat of a viral disease and a 150% increase in hate crimes in sixteen major cities across the United States, according to NPR. We see a shift: summertime, a season so hot the pavement melts underneath your feet, but still thousands took to the streets to protest the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Bernardo Palacias-Carbajal, and others who have lost their lives at the hands of the police. Black activists, in a time of incredible injustice and an unprecedented global pandemic, led (and continue to lead) a movement in Victoire Soumano (She/Her) spite of weather, time, place, or Photo courtesy of Bridget Dopp circumstance. As shutters are cracked and coats are swapped for windbreakers, we all prepare to enter spring again. Seasons begin to change, but it is time for more than the climate to shift. As the pandemic persists and institutional racism continues, it is important to recognize the crucial work that the Student Diversity and Inclusion Center (SDIC) is—and has been—doing on the Westminster campus to foster hope and solidarity in a time of loneliness and injustice. This year, the intersection of a global pandemic, heightened socio-political unrest, and the navigation of online schooling has left SDIC in a particularly complicated position as they work to provide community care and outreach. The student coordinators (Erika Minoshima, Dylan Richmond, Yovie Saiz Rodriguez, Victoire Soumano, and Faith Staley) have the difficult challenge of building and maintaining community in a time where being in physical contact with one another is dangerous. “[Gathering in person] has always been just such a huge part of community building,” said Raíces Unidas Coordinator Yovie 6 Rodriguez (‘23). Engaging Whiteness coordinator Dylan Richmond (‘23) noted that “all of my difficulties [in conducting programming] have pretty much been pandemic related.” We’ve been through a lot this last year, and trying to forge connections anywhere is a lucky feat. Fortunately, the coordinators still host engaging, informative, and safe events such as monthly Zoom discussions, virtual workshops, and sociallyFaith Staley (They/Them) Photo courtesy of Faith Staley distanced and remote cultural and community celebrations. These events “[aim] to provide some joy in these dark and terrible covid-y winter months” said Queer Compass coordinator Faith Staley (‘22). Even with the continuation of these engaging and educational events, attracting student attendees has proven to be a difficult task. “It’s been a bit hard to reach out to students and have them participate in some of our events,” said Black Excellence coordinator Victoire Soumano (‘23). “I don’t blame them because we all spend our days on our computers for online class and sometimes we just don’t want to attend another virtual event.” Even so, all of the coordinators echoed the same sentiment: while a Zoom session may not be the most attractive way to host an event, safety is of utmost importance. “Keeping my community healthy is my priority,” Rodriguez said. The pandemic presented very specific challenges for the SDIC coordinators and the students they work with. Staley emphasized the importance of fostering a safe community on Erika Minoshima (She/Her) campus for students. Photo courtesy of Satoshi Minoshima “I think Queer students face specific challenges with the pandemic, because many people had to go home to their families of origin, which may not be accepting or understanding of their identities,” Staley said. “Further, the past few weeks have seen some pretty intensely queer, transphobic debates in local and national political arenas…[and] one of the biggest challenges that trans students panel on alternatives to policing, and a Martin Luther King Jr. face is getting their names changed across all the school’s Day event. platforms.” Soumano noted that Black Excellence is “necessary and Just the existence of Queer Compass at Westminster, Staley needed at Westminster right now” to raise awareness on the said, serves as a reminder of the community that exists, that topic of race in various aspects. there are resources if people need them, and that they are not “With everything that is happening, the Black student alone. community Racist rhetoric can use a space and violence where they feel against Asians rose understood and at “We need more diversity and inclusion. I do not want it to be to a frightening home,” she said. performative anymore; I want realistic flexibility and value degree. Erika Soumano has Minoshima (‘22), led conversations, towards our People of Color.” the Asian American p r o v i d e d and Pacific Islander resources, and Yovie Saiz Rodriguez (’23) Life (AAPI) raised awareness C o o rd i n a t o r, on campus noted that with the consistently and rise of Covid-19, thoughtfully since several students the beginning of in the program have experienced incidents of racism and the year. According to all the SDIC coordinators, the time to discrimination. act is now. “AAPI students who are victims of anti-Asian hate crimes “Non-Black individuals on campus must step up as or abuse make it even more productive and vocal accomplices to the Black Lives Matter important to have our program movement,” Rodriguez said. “Confronting our privilege and on campus spread awareness participation in white supremacist structures is work that white about these incidents and help people need to commit to in our own communities.” support AAPI students’ mental Although we have seen decreasing coverage of the Black Lives and physical well-being,” Matter movement in mainstream media outlets, institutional Minoshima said. racism—including racism perpetuated on college campuses—is The promotion of anti-racist still very much ingrained within the fabric of American society. work this past summer in Salt “It’s up to us to hold ourselves and each other accountable,” Lake City brought a wave of Richmond said. hope within the community. Westminster, being a predominantly white academic “It’s true that the widespread institution, must take active and substantial steps towards visibility of protests this summer ensuring anti-racism on campus, has changed the conversation according to Rodriguez. around police brutality and “We need more diversity and racism in the US,” Staley said, inclusion. I do not want it to be Dylan Richmond (They/Them) Photo courtesy of Dylan Richmond “but I think a lot of organizing performative anymore; I want is being done outside of public realistic flexibility and value view, and many of those groups and bonds were kicked off or towards our People of Color,” she re-energized by this summer.” said. It is important to note that the SDIC student coordinators There is never much to be sure have engaged with this work long before—and consistently of. This last year, even less so. It is after—the Salt Lake City protests began. an understatement to say that the “The coordinators of groups centered around racial and Student Diversity and Inclusion ethnic identity have done an incredible job of rising to the Center and its coordinators current moment,” Staley said. give us hope. Despite a world Minoshima noted that Soumano’s ideas for educating seemingly full of winter, with students in her program have been “very inspirational.” grace and resolve, they have Yovie Saiz-Rodriguez (She/Her) Soumano has done extensive and noteworthy work as the been absolutely foundational in Photo courtesy of Abby Raynor Black Excellence coordinator. Hosting events such as a BIPOC- fostering community in the time specific virtual art reflection workshop titled “Blackness of quarantine, safety in the time of white supremacist inflicted Is…”and a panel discussion reflecting on clips from the show strife, and love in a time of uncalcuable collective loss. grown·ish through the lens of Black love, to name a few. We see another shift: spring is here again. On some days, the The SDIC also hosted many center-wide collaborative sun begins to shine. events, including a conversation on cultural appropriation, a After all, it is a human thing to love spring. 7 Honors college writing award named in honor of former Westminster faculty member BY RICHARD BADENHAUSEN The annual Honors college writing awards – now two catalogs for exhibitions. decades old – have been renamed in honor of Katherine The writing awards are now endowed by a $200,000 gift “Katie” Metcalf Nelson, in recognition of her dozen years from Nelson’s family. Mary Kay Lazarus, a friend and one of spent teaching at Westminster Nelson’s former teaching partners College and in celebration of her at Westminster, spoke of her love of long career as an educator, art team-teaching, interdisciplinarity, historian, painter, and writer. and critical thinking, all hallmarks On February 15, 2021, of the Honors college experience. the Honors Council voted Lazarus described her colleague unanimously to institute the in the following way: “An eternal “Katherine Metcalf Nelson student and an eternal teacher, Writing Awards” starting with Katie was always exploring a new the spring 2021 contest. Each of insight through her writing and the four awards tied to different evoking a new understanding of Honors core seminar categories art and literature in her students. will now be $1,000, with an The blank page was an unlimited additional $1,000 check for the canvas for her vision of the world best essay award and its translation into exquisite Born and raised in San expressions of poetic imagery.” Francisco, Katie Nelson earned a The Nelson Writing Awards are B.A. in History from Stanford and selected each year by the 15-person Katie Nelson an M.A. in Art History from U.C. Honors Council and presented at Photo courtesy of Katie’s husband Berkeley. After teaching at the the annual Honors college spring California College of Arts and Crafts, Nelson moved with her banquet. The first Honors writing award was presented in husband Jim to Salt Lake City, where she began teaching Art 2001 for a paper on the feminist threads in Plato’s philosophy, History at Westminster. Over the years, she showed her work written by current Honors College Advisory Board member at various Utah museums and art galleries while also writing Pepper Hayes (‘05). Continued from page 1 it and that’s what you are doing,” O’Hearn said. “It allows you to be more present then, and you strive to be more present in the future as well.” Etter said that being outdoors helps one to slow down and be more present. “[I]n academic studies, there’s a certain way of thinking that often gets privileged,” Etter said. “It’s about being a fast thinker, being a loud thinker, that’s contributing all the time.” Fast-paced thinking, according to Etter, misconstrues what critical and analytical thinking looks like. “It’s about wandering. It’s about observing and discovering. It’s about feeling things,” Etter said. Etter’s walk to and from campus (and time outdoors) allows her to refocus her thoughts about the world. “I appreciate [being outside] as a way of reminding myself that thinking and being an engaged person in the world can be slower,” Etter said. “It can be more exploratory than what I spend a lot of my time doing inside of the classroom.” The outdoor nature of Utah has given O’Hearn more 8 opportunities to explore, create happy moments, and hang out with friends. “My best memories, moments, laughs, and jokes took place [during] very specific outdoor things,” O’Hearn said. The Outdoor Experience, a program for incoming first-year students, is a favorite memory of O’Hearn’s. Participants spend four days before orientation exploring the Unita Mountains by hiking, rock climbing, and paddling. “There was so much happiness in that trip,” O’Hearn said. “A big part of that was because we were outside just adventuring life. We just were camping the Uinta Mountains and we were all together. There were no distractions. And the person you were with was who you were with.” O’Hearn advised peers to support themselves with happiness. “Fill your life with whatever makes you happy,” O’Hearn said. “Give yourself some experience. Test the limits. If you haven’t gone climbing before, try climbing because you just never know—Maybe you’ll fall in love with it.” Let’s Get Your Perspective What or who has given you the most support in your life during a pandemic? What does that support look like? Alicia Cunningham-Bryant Remi Lindberg Student perspective Professor perspective As far as support goes during a global pandemic, I have been more than grateful for what the Honors college has done for me. Thanks to the Honors college I have been able to find my place at Westminster College. The majority of the people I hang out with are from Honors and I would not have it any other Honors student Remi Lindberg (She/ way. Her) Photo courtesy of Milli Lindberg One thing I often tell people about my friends is that they help me in two ways: the first is academic because they are super-geniuses, and the second is social because my friends have allowed me to build connections even in a global pandemic. The small community of the Honors college seemed a bit intimidating at first, but in all actuality, it helped me find my own community among people with whom I got along and shared interests with. I will say, however, being an extrovert definitely helped me in this transitional process, but so did the fact that the Honors college is a gateway to friends! Making friends in a pandemic was hard. Moving to college was hard, let alone during a pandemic. However, being able to play card games outside (with masks on), go on hikes, meet up for food after class, and having group chats all helped with making friends and building those crucial connections. This is despite the fact that it is a time when you are discouraged from really being around others. I am grateful for Welcome to Thinking during my first semester with professors Richard Badenhausen and Jeff Nichols. I would not have met some of my most supportive and greatest friends without Welcome to Thinking. The class was also an introduction to some very supportive and incredible professors. I would not have wanted to go through a pandemic at college with any other group of people. So let me finish with a big thank you to the Honors college for accepting me and introducing me to an amazing community. This year has been crazy, and I have never been more grateful to have such an incredible web of support to get me through. My web, or net, or interconnecting Venn diagram of super support (whatever you want to call it) is drawn from all corners of my life and has enabled Honors professor Alicia Cunninghamme to strengthen friendships, Bryant (She/Her) expand my experiences, and Photo courtesy of Ceci Rigby care for others, too. My three core groups of support are my phenomenal Westminster friends (spending the evenings socially distanced in backyards by firepits, laughing and watching bad movies from the projector), my far-away family and friends (we sure have become good at Zoom hangouts/trivia nights/cook-offs), and my exercise buddies (human/dog/equine). For a time when it can be so easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted, my community of support has allowed me to rest, recharge, laugh, cry, and learn to bake sourdough. Badly. When one of my Salt Lake friends would get sick or sad, others in our group would leave little homemade treats or “get well soon” kits on that person’s porch. When I would be going nuts and be too tense to think, running away to ride/race horses or trail run with my dog Joey would help me burn out my frustration, giving me room to breathe. Building in preplanned weekly Zoom chats about RuPaul’s Drag Race with my oldest friends, who these days are all over the world, has given me not just something to look forward to but also the opportunity to carve out silly friend time in my schedule. For all of these reasons, I am profoundly grateful for my support system and its glorious variety. “I w ill s ay, h oweve r, b e i n g a n ex t rove r t d ef initel y “Fo r a tim e when it can be so easy to feel he lp e d m e in th i s t ra n s i t i on a l pro ce s s , b ut so did over whel m ed and exhausted, my co m munity of th e f ac t th at the Hon or s co l l e ge i s a g ateway to suppo r t has al l owed m e to rest, rechar ge, laugh, fr i e n d s .” cr y, and l ear n to bake so urdo ugh. Ba dly.” 9 NEWS & NOTES Teresa Elias (’04) was honored on this year’s “40 Under 40” list in Utah Business for her work with USANA Health Sciences as the ED of brand strategy and digital marketing. Hayden Kjelleren (’20) is now an Underwriting Analyst at CBRE Group, an American commercial real estate services and investment firm. Mary McBride (’05) started a new position as VP of Digital Experience and Sales Manager at Bank of Utah. Kate Blair (’21) presented “Sustaining Belonging in the In Between through Physical Storytelling” at the Utah Conference for Undergraduate Research and in the 2021 Dance Senior Capstone Concert at Westminster College with an Honors Independent Research Grant. The final manuscript is out for publication. Andy Larsen (’12) was featured in a December story in The Washington Post for having raised almost $55,000 “by accident” due to a stray tweet. Andy allocated that money to help more than 1,000 Utahans in need during the holidays. Two of the three presenters at this year’s “Westminster Thinks Big” were Honors alums: Accounting/Finance grad Mai Ho (’12), who shared her story of overcoming gender bias in the tech and investment industries, and Econ grad Max White (’20), who discussed the power of satire. Mackenzie Crow (’16) began a new position as Graduate Consultant at the United States Department of Defense. Hannah Williams (’16) started a new position as Assistant Vice President of Community Affairs at Zions Bank after completing the nonprofit management MA program at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies. Catherine Blakemore (’17) co-edited a book with Prof. Cliff Hurst collecting writings by Robert S. Hartman. It is entitled Wit and Wisdom: Inspiration for Living Fully. Blakemore is also the chair of the new Honors College Advisory Board. Kiera Bolinder (’19) started a new position as an exploration geologist at Golden Vertex Corp. Jonny Shapiro (’19) will begin his studies at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law next fall. Eliza Van Dyk (’20), Steph Anglin (’21), Ceci Rigby (’22), Zoey Kourianos (’22) and Greta Walser (’23) released a zine on Environmental Justice, which can be accessed through the Westminster website under the Environmental Center’s webpage. Megan Fairchild (’21) will soon start the PhD program in Geological Sciences (School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) at Cornell University as a Cornell Sloan/Colman fellow, which will allow her to work on experimental geochemistry/ planetary geology, as well as geoscience education and DEI outreach. Nia Morton (’21) presented her essay “Laboring in and Between Discursive Spheres: Deconstructing Domestic and Reproductive Constituting Acts of ‘Woman’” at the 2021 meeting of the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Eliza Van Dyk (’21) received the 2021 MLK Unsung Hero Award (student category) for creating an environmental justice program within the Environmental Center, among other justice-centered work on campus. Samantha Paredes (’22) played the role of the Seamstress in the recent Hale Theatre production of A Tale of Two Cities. Dylan Richmond (’22) was awarded first place in Westminster’s annual student writing contest for their poem “Bisexuality,” which will be published in ellipsis...literature and art. Holli Wigginton (’24) became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) as a first-year student while managing coursework and a part-time job on campus. Did you do something notable? We want to know! Email your news and notes to Richard Badenhausen at [e-mail]. The new twenty-person Honors college Advisory Board is made up of Honors alums, friends of the Honors college, and Westminster staff. Its mission is to provide support to Westminster’s Honors college, furnish advice to Honors leadership, and serve as representatives and advocates of the HonRichard Badenhausen, ex officio Catherine Blakemore (’17), Board Chair Ray Bradford (’07) Kate Bradshaw (’03) Heather Brown (’06), Chair of Advancement Committee Chris Cunningham (’15) ors college, its mission, and its initiatives. Its members have already gotten off to a great start providing great energy (and generosity) during last month’s Giving Day and initiating conversations around creative ways to support current students and engage Honors alums. Thank you for your service! Alicia Cunningham-Bryant, ex officio Nancy DeFord Judy Fang Pepper Hayes (’05) Mai Ho (’12) Brody Leven (’10) Daniel Lewis, ex officio 10 Marie Martin (’08) Allie Roach (’12) Stephanie Santarosa, ex officio Elaine Sheehan (’18), Chair of Advocacy Committee Taylor Stevens (’18) Tofi Ta’afua (’01) Successful Giving Day brings together members of the Honors community A LETTER FROM THE HONORS COLLEGE On March 3, members of the Westminster College community joined together during the college’s annual Giving Day to raise over $225,000 in support of a wide range of student-centered programs. Honors students, faculty, staff, alums, and even parents stepped up in a big way, donating $43,512 for ongoing and new student wellness initiatives in Honors, a total that represents almost 20% of the funds raised by Westminster that day. Many individuals affiliated with the Honors college played instrumental roles in helping generate enthusiasm for the philanthropic event, including key members of the new Honors College Advisory Board: Board Chair Catherine Blakemore (’17), as well as committee chairs Heather Brown (’06) and Elaine Sheehan (’18). Many board members stepped forward with very generous contributions, too. An anonymous parent of a current Honors student donated $5,000 and challenged fellow Honors parents to match the amount. This resulted in that initial donation followed by an additional $5,000 donation, gathered directly by Honors parents. Faculty liaison Han Kim (Public Health) led the Honors faculty giving effort, while Katie Valdez (’22) worked with current students. As President of the Student Honors Council, Valdez also coordinated with Honors students to design the annual giving level challenges for Honors Dean Richard Badenhausen, which included activities like dressing up the dean in a thrift store outfit, a TikTok by Badenhausen and Asst. Dir. of Honors Steph Santarosa, and a “Get Ready with Me” video, all of which can be viewed on the Honors college Facebook page. The Honors community came tantalizingly close to reaching the final challenge of 200 donors, which would have resulted in the dean shaving his head—that effort fell three donations short. However, an original sea shanty composition by English professor Dr. Chris LeCluyse also appears on the Honors Facebook page as a thank-you to all our donors. The day-long event was filled with fun moments, including the noon livestream conversation with Kim, Badenhausen, and Honors students Lia Baez (’21) and Rebekah Ford (’21), who both talked about the importance of student wellness programming. The Honors college has already established extensive mindfulness and wellness programming in its first-year experience through Tuesday Conversation and Welcome to Thinking and is now poised to expand that programming across the other seminars and co-curriculum, an expansion that would not be possible without the generosity of the Honors community. Thank you! Honors alum Maggie Regier (’20) chimes in during the Giving Day livestream while Prof. Han Kim discusses the importance of wellness support for students. 11 HO N O RABLE MENTION E D IT O R S 2020-2021 Vanessa Eveleth (she/her) (‘23), Managing Editor, is a communication major with a love for writing. She has a deep appreciation for the power of words. Writing has been part of her life since she was seven years old, and she intends to continue writing in various ways across Westminster’s campus. If not writing, Vanessa is likely to be tucked away in a cozy corner on-campus with a book in one hand and a hot drink in the other. Zidia Gibson (she/her) (’24), Layout Editor, is a communication major and plans to minor in film studies. She loves producing new content and challenging herself to find unique ways to tell stories. She is super grateful to have landed a spot on the Honorable Mention editorial team her first year at Westminster College. In her free time, you can find her admiring the color yellow, petting any cat she sees, and obsessing over the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sophie Caligiuri (she/they) (’22), Copy Editor, is pursuing a Honors degree, majoring in philosophy, and minoring in English. Sophie is part of Legacy Scholars, works at the Writing Center, and serves as an Honors peer mentor. She also dedicates time to the Dumke Center for Civic Engagement and Student Honors Council. Sophie likes spontaneous dance parties with friends and family, reading anything and everything, watching really good and really bad movies, being the godmother to Ceci’s lizard, and making extensive Spotify playlists. Ceci Rigby (she/they) (’22), Photo Editor, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies. Ceci co-coordinates the Environmental Justice team, works as a research asssistant for the Great Salt Lake Institute, and serves as an Honors peer mentor. Several of Ceci’s greatest accomplishments include collecting embarrassing amounts of physical media, being the sole guardian of her pet lizard, Jeff, (Sophie, pictured left, is the godmother), and getting into Mitski’s top 0.05% listeners on Spotify. Letter from the Editors The stories in this issue reflect how the pandemic impacts students and faculty in a variety of ways. Keeping our social-distance from one another has caused different versions of loneliness and isolation to crop up. This is the new normal. Yet, these stories also reflect that at its core, the Honors college is a web of support and community bringing faculty, students, and professors together. That is why we chose the theme “Power of Support.” We hope this issue reminds you of your own support systems, and how powerful you are when you express compassion and empathy for others. Makes us wonder: What does your support system look like? How has it helped you this past year? Hang in there, we’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We’re almost there—and we can’t wait to see what this upcoming year brings. Honors College Westminster College 1840 South 1300 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 westminstercollege.edu/honors · · Spring 2021 Volume 19 Issue 2