2022 Fall The Honorable Mention

THE HO NOR ABLE MENTION MENTIONING WESTMINSTER HONORS COLLEGE STUDENTS SINCE 2002 Students attend Science, Power, and Diversity, taught by Kara Barnette and Han Kim. on the inaugural day of the seminar room opening in fall 2022. Photo courtesy of Richard Badenhausen A step in the right direction: Honors college’s first classroom dedicated to interdisciplinary learning BY KARLIE ALLEN (’25) AND MORGAN MADSEN (’25) Members of the Westminster Honors college gathered in the Gore School of Business to celebrate the dedication of the Simonds Seminar room on September 17, 2022. The construction marks a significant milestone for the Honors community — its first dedicated classroom setting designed for interdisciplinary, seminar-style learning. “The goal of the new seminar room is to foster conversation in an environment that is conducive to learning,” said Richard Badenhausen, dean of the Honors college. The room went under renovation in fall 2021 supported by advising PAGE Fellowship and pursuit in Honors opens doors THREE for success · the generosity of many donors, including the lead gift provided by Honors alum Seth Simonds (’08), after whom the room is named. After a year of renovation, the Simonds Seminar room is now complete and fully equipped for classroom use. The freshly unveiled classroom allows students to have a learning space that is dedicated to seminar-style learning for the first time since the founding of the Honors program in 1986, according to Badenhausen. “We have a space that is ours and we don’t have to worry about other classes coming in and moving things,” said public Continued on page 4 PAGE EIGHT · Fall 2022 Volume 21 Issue 1 Student and Staff Profiles: Dan Fenn and Yvonne Francis Honors college peers support and mentor incoming students for social success B Y S H R E E YA M A S K E Y ( ’ 2 6 ) Westminster’s Honors college offers many different “It felt comforting, especially since I got handwritten letters opportunities. One such opportunity for first-year students from my peer mentors on a card,” Howells said. Although is the Honors Peer Mentoring Program. First-year students when she got Walker’s card, Howells said it exploded with get grouped with peer mentors, upper-class Honors college glitter, “which really describes her personality and I think it’s students with considerable experience in the program who hilarious.” guide new students through the transition to Westminster. Howells said she took these introductions as a reminder that Lila Howells, an undeclared first-year student, said she it was going to be okay in college. was looking forward After fall classes to being a part of the began, especially after program and even Welcome to Thinking “Peer mentors kind of give you…how it is; they will tell you this mentioned that the started to take shape mentoring was part of for first-years, peer is going to be hard and difficult, but you will learn from it.” what drew her to the mentors’ support did Honors college. not waiver. “I have had a couple Izzi Hill, a firstLila Howells (’26) older friends in high year literature, media, school who guided me and writing major, through and gave me said she felt supported different perspectives which was always really helpful,” Howells throughout the process of writing her Short-Form Prompt said. “Peer mentors kind of give you…how it is; they will tell (SFP) after a talk with her peer mentors. you this is going to be hard and difficult, but you will learn “The [SFP] was a really weird assignment to me because I from it.” have never been given a writing project like this before,” Hill The peer mentors started reaching out to their mentees said. around two weeks before classes began and introduced Hill said she remembers the main advice her mentors gave themselves. Cleo Walker, a junior interdisciplinary utopian her about SFP’s: it is alright to get it wrong because there will studies custom major, and Nicole Kavalauskas, a senior always be subsequent prompts where you can improve. psychology major, contacted Howells through mailed letters. “If a teacher had told me that, it would be assuring as well in the sense that it is not going to impact my grade very much; but hearing that from a student, it was something I could put into a larger context,” Hill said. “Not just my grades but getting through college.” Lila Howells said she shared the same sentiment in that regard with Hill. Howells said she went up to Walker with the question, “Is it okay not to do everything?” Hearing Walker’s answer of “Yeah, that’s totally fine, you know you don’t need to do all” of the opportunities really reassured her, according to Howells. “Listening to that firsthand experience is different from listening to advice coming from Lila Howells (right) has a conversation with their peer mentor Cleo Walker on a sunny morning on the other places,” Howells said. Nunemaker Patio. Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico 2 Fellowship advising and pursuit in Honors opens doors for success BY ZIDIA GIBSON (’24) There’s nothing quite like the feeling of accomplishment in Valencia, Spain, so the funds from the scholarship would after spending long nights and early mornings writing a paper, go towards Sauro’s continuing studies in public health and submitting an assignment, or finalizing a job application. medicine. In the case of Alhondra Garcia, a senior environmental “It’s a goal of mine to study abroad, but it can be very studies and fine arts major with expensive, so I applied to an emphasis in ceramics, this elevate the financial load so I feeling of success came from can pursue my goals,” Sauro applying for the Benjamin said. “Honors has led me to achieve new goals, A. Gilman Scholarship with Cunningham-Bryant said the support of Westminster’s she encourages any student learn in different ways, and keep pursuing my Office of Fellowship Advising. interested in applying for a dreams, which is amazing.” “I decided to apply because fellowship to stop by the Office I want to participate this year for Fellowship Advising in Alhondra Garcia (’23) in one of the [May Term Gore 115. Study Experiences] from “We take a deeply [the] college,” Garcia said. “I personalized approach to want to get the experience of supporting you,” Cunninghamstudying outside to learn about Bryant said. “So, unlike other new cultures and also because experiential learning is deeply schools with large cohort models and group feedback, you important to me.” meet one-on-one every time. I would also say, like so much Garcia said Alicia Cunningham-Bryant, an Honors college else at Westminster, we really care about you.” professor and the director of fellowship advising, assisted her Honors college students, in particular, make up a “sizable in developing the three essays she wrote for the Benjamin A. portion of fellowship applicants,” according to CunninghamGilman Scholarship application. Bryant, due to their experience writing Short-Form Prompts. “Even when the process of writing the essays took a little Honors students also tend to be involved in the issues they bit of time, it was [worth it] because I had learned a lot from are passionate about, making it “a whole lot easier” to convince Alicia,” Garcia said. a review committee that the fellowship is well-aligned with the Cunningham-Bryant works with students throughout the student’s interests, Cunningham-Bryant said. entire fellowship application process to craft their message and Garcia said being in the Honors college has opened a lot materials. The Office for Fellowship Advising also provides of doors and helped her follow through on success-defining funding for travel to fellowship interviews, interview outfits, decisions like applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. and even a well-lit interview space for an online interview, if “Honors has led me to achieve new goals, learn in different need be, according to Cunningham-Bryant. ways, and keep pursuing my dreams, which is amazing,” she “I help students find funding for opportunities beyond the said. “The community is very powerful because everyone is Westminster classroom,” she said. “Whether that’s for study open to help others.” abroad, grad school, or research opportunities, my job is to Sauro said she experiences the same sentiment. help [students] get financial support for [their] big ideas and “Being an Honors student has given me the confidence to plans.” pursue my goals and the Honors program has helped me learn If she is a recipient of the award, Garcia said she will use about scholarship opportunities that I wouldn’t have heard of,” the scholarship to help cover the cost of Residency in Paris: A Sauro said. “The professors and staff within the Honors college Moveable Feast, which is a May Term Study Experience. want to help and see me succeed.” Liliana Sauro, a junior neuroscience major and public “We take a deeply personalized approach to supporting you. So, unlike other schools health minor, also with large cohort models and group feedback, you will meet one-on-one every time. I applied for the Benjamin A. Gilman would also say, like so much else at Westminster, we really care about you.” Scholarship. Sauro said she Alicia Cunningham-Bryant, Honors college professor and director of fellowship advising plans on studying abroad for a semester 3 Continued from page 1 health professor Han Kim. First-year music studies major Chase White said he Kim taught the fall semester version of Science, Power, appreciates that the design of the seminar room places students and Diversity with co-instructor philosophy professor Kara and professors on the same level, making it feel more like a Barnette. discussion and less like a lecture. “Having a space where honors students can feel like it is their “I like the way we’re all in a square and we’re looking at each space and their home — there’s a comfort in it,” Barnette said. other all the time,” White said. “It made it significantly easier “It can help students get into the [critical thinking] mindset.” to learn people’s names and look someone in the eyes when The sentiments expressed by Kim and Barnette are shared you’re talking about a point they’ve brought up.” with other members of the The fostering of Honors college faculty. community is echoed by “I think what that justice studies professor space does is it gives our Connie Etter. She said she “I like the way we’re all in a square and we’re students a chance to have thinks about the room in looking at each other all the time. It made it a spot where habit cooks,” terms of “space and place.” significantly easier to learn people’s names and said environmental studies “On one hand, it’s a professor Brent Olson, who physical classroom. We have look someone in the eyes when you’re talking taught Environments and them all over campus,” Etter about a point they’ve brought up.” the Space of Art in the room said. “But the thing about during fall 2022. “By having a thinking about it through Chase White (’26) spot to go to where you know spaces and places is that that you’re going to engage in because we have that dedicated these kinds of conversations, room that many, if not all of where you’re going to think in us, will be in regularly, we this particular way, where you’re going to work with your peers, have a chance to give that space meaning, and that’s when it then that space becomes a home, ideally. And then, that home becomes a place.” becomes this place of practice.” Etter said everyone in Honors is turning the Simonds The classroom also has all the supplies needed to help Seminar Room— a physical location — into a place of students form the “habits,” Olson mentioned. meaning, memories, and shared experiences within the The Simonds Seminar Room is fully equipped with a 4 Honors community; transforming a space into a place of feet by 14 feet Clarus glass board, two video screens linked “shared memory.”  The timing of the opening is opportune for to an HDMI cable, the Honors college and a portable c o m m u n i t y, OWL that may be according to some checked out of the Honors faculty. Honors college to “It’s a sigh of facilitate virtual relief for me to attendance in the be back together seminar room. in [a face-to-face] Casey Berger, kind of way,” Etter a sophomore said, referring to political science the recent virtual major, is in landscape for Science, Power, education. “There’s and Diversity and more energy and said there was an enthusiasm to interesting feature be together and to the seminar to discuss and to room — the question — it feels drawing paper different.” Richard Badenhausen (left) and Seth Simonds (right) pose for a photo at the dedication lunch celebrating placed on each of Environmental the opening of the Simonds Seminar Room on Sept. 17. the tables. studies professor Photo courtesy of Stacie Whitford “The room is a Brent Olson said great place to learn students seemed and has all of the materials and resources that we need to learn primed for the college experience. in it,” Berger said. “I particularly like the doodle paper on “I don’t know how much of it is the room and how much the tables. It lets me draw when I have no more space in my of it is other things — because it’s the case in most of my notebook, and it’s fun to see the new additions in every class.” classes — but there’s so much more energy this year,” Olson 4 Connie Etter holds a discussion with Honors college students in the new Simonds Seminar Room, located in the basement of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business. “On one hand, it’s a physical classroom. We have them all over campus,” Etter said. “But the thing about thinking about it through spaces and places is that because we have that dedicated room that many, if not all of us, will be in regularly, we have a chance to give that space meaning, and that’s when it becomes a place.” Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico said. “People are ready to engage and [are] willing and excited to be in the classroom and connect with peers.” While the new classroom is a space made to foster community and expand educational opportunities, the Honors college experience is guided by the program’s faculty. Team teaching is a key component of the Honors curriculum, with the interdisciplinary aspects providing students and professors with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding of topics outside their fields. Berger said the professors and the materials they provide is at the core of this quality education. “Ultimately, the quality of a class is dependent on the structures and students,” said public health professor Han Kim. “The instructors are responsible for setting up an environment that encourages dialogue and a deeper level of thinking. A classroom is never going to do that by itself — in essence, the people make the house.” Simonds Seminar Room, located in the basement of Gore, embodies the fundamental values of the Honors college, according to Richard Badenhausen, dean of the Honors college. “The intimacy of the space emphasizes the importance of stepping forward with a question but also the power of listening carefully to other members of the community,” Badenhausen said. “It’s a wonderful space in which to teach and learn, and we’re very grateful to our many donors who supported the initiative.” “By having a spot to go to where you know that you’re going to engage in these kinds of conversations, where you’re going to think in this particular way, where you’re going to work with your peers, then that space becomes a home, ideally. And then, that home becomes this place of learning.” Brent Olson, Honors college and environmental studies professor 5 Honors students successfully lead Westminster as ASW presidents BY ISABEL CROFT (’26) Honors students are no strangers to the Associated Students learned through Honors. “Having this Honors foundation has proven itself worthy of Westminster office as ASW president. In the past 20 years, time and time again, and I am confident and proud of myself half of the ASW presidents have been affiliated with Honors. for making the decision to attend Westminster,” Leven said. The trend appears to be increasing — six of the past seven Cooper Henderson presidents have been Honors (’11) graduated with an students, including Brynlie economics major and served (Binnie) Green-Morris, a as the ASW president from senior justice studies major, 2010–11. who currently holds the Henderson said he ran office. for ASW president because Brody Leven (’10) he wanted to give back to served as ASW president the community which he twice during his time had benefited from, while at Westminster College also ensuring student fees (2008–09, 2009–10). were serving the entirety of Today, he sits on the the student body. Honors College Advisory Henderson said he Board, and is a professional recognized Honors played skier and environmental a significant role with his advocate. success. Leven noted he got Binnie Green-Morris (’23), current ASW president and Honors student, involved in ASW because he “I think that the Honors wears a pink shirt and glasses, with half black and pink hair while didn’t see the out-of-state, college experience enriched standing in front of a green bush. outdoorsy students like my ability to feel confident Photo courtesy of Ashlee Szwedko himself being represented. communicating my ideas “What I saw during my to other students [while] [first] year is that Westminster [consisted of ] about 50% in- exposing me to different types of students in those small, state and 50% out-of-state students. And I wasn’t necessarily seminar-style classes that I wouldn’t have met otherwise,” seeing that represented in the student government,” Leven Henderson said. said. “Now, given the student government was supposed to Henderson said being a part of student government isn’t represent the students, it was for everyone, but he gave important for it to represent advice that can be applied to that group of students who every student’s experience at came from far away, who Westminster. were living far from home, “Get involved in and who were really into all something outside of of what Westminster had to academics, whether it is a offer.” sport or a club, just make Leven said his motivation sure that you’re doing for representation, coupled something that is not with incredible mentors academic,” Henderson said. — from faculty to fellow “And secondly, befriend students — allowed him people who are different [from] you and different to successfully become [from] the people that ASW president and lead you hung out with in high Westminster for two years. school. Surround yourself Leven believed his more with people who have a unorthodox approach and Brody Leven (’10), former ASW president and Honors student, wears a gray blazer and brown shirt while standing inside the Vieve Gore different background and background allowed him Concert Hall. a different way of thinking to connect with students Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico than your own.” alongside the skills he 6 Honors college students find benefits in their internships BY LUCAS ARICO (’24) Over the years, some Honors college students have found success working at internships which complement their major. Honors college student Kelsey Smith, a senior international humanitarian affairs custom major, has an internship with the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy for the fall 2022 semester. Smith said her position consists of coordinating and hosting international exchange programs in Utah. “For instance, we just had a group come last week from Kazakhstan and they came here to Utah to learn about cyber security,” Smith said. “So, we planned and coordinated professional resource meetings with different resources in Utah […] and then they took [what they learned] back to their country and implemented some, hopefully, good and useful ideas.” Internships can be helpful as they give students the ability to take what they have learned in their classes and find ways to put that knowledge to use in their jobs, according to Smith, who has previously taken courses about global politics and democratic theory. “For so long I’ve been learning about how to [make change in the community] and not able to actually practice that, and I’m able to do that now,” Smith said. Smith said her internship has also allowed her to create relationships and networks to help get involved in the field of international humanitarian affairs. “I mean the people from Kazakhstan, they are already inviting us to go visit their country,” Smith said. Emily Hill, a junior political science major, also has an internship this year with the Utah Democratic Party. “My internship directly correlates with my major because I am working with a major local political organization,” Hill said in an email interview. On a typical day of work, Hill said she is sending out texts to voters and editing spreadsheets with election information. Both Hill and Smith said they have found their internships have helped them figure out what direction they want to take their careers after graduation. Working with the Utah Democratic Party “has shown me that campaign work is not the avenue of political science I would like to take,” Hill said. Hill said she would prefer to be a lobbyist for a healthcare organization or non-profit. Smith said she learned that she would like to continue to pursue international humanitarian affairs and help bring change to the community. “I’ve only been in this position for a few weeks, but I have already met so many international visitors [and] leaders in our community […] that are working to make our culture and our society better for people who live in Salt Lake,” Smith said. “Personally, that’s what I want to do in the future and to see that happening in the workplace I’m in and in the people I meet, that’s so inspiring.” Information courtesy of Westminster College’s Interships webpage, accessed at https://westminstercollege.edu/student-life/career-center/internships.html. Graphic courtesy of Vanessa Eveleth 7 Student Profile: Dan Fenn Public health major says Honors is an “eye-opening” experience B Y G R E TA WA L S E R ( ’ 2 5 ) Dan Fenn, a junior public health major, describes his time program for disability advocacy was nonexistent. At the time, as an Honors college student as “life-changing and an eye- Fenn was taking an Honors college course from justice studies opening experience.” professor Connie Etter. While sitting in on a Welcome to Thinking “I really enjoyed the readings [Etter] assigned; seminar before attending Westminster College, they’ve brought me to where I am in my life,” Fenn said xe thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, Fenn said. “I came to college not knowing that and chose the Honors college in hopes of standing I was disabled. I was really struggling to get by out in any competitive career field. academically, and in life. The way that [Etter] Fenn said xe is passionate about “helping taught disability from a justice-oriented view people that are disadvantaged by systems of was instrumental in allowing me to realize that oppression,” which is the reason xe is pursuing a I am disabled, and that accommodations are degree in public health. something that I need and deserve.” Dan Fenn wears a black long As a first-generation college student, Fenn sleeve shirt, a jean vest with Since then, Fenn has helped create the attended a faculty panel where xe asked how embroidered mushrooms, chicken Disability Justice program in the Student to prioritize helping people in xyr career path. earrings, a black collar with Diversity and Inclusion Center. spikes and round glasses while Public health professor Han Kim’s response was standing in front of bushes near The program’s purpose is “to center disabled super appealing, according to Fenn. voices in a way that is empowering and the Nunemaker Patio. Now, Fenn said he’s passionate about harm Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico humanizing,” according to Fenn. reduction approaches to public health and is “Reading ‘Care Work’ in the Honors college considering a career as an infectious disease epidemiologist. was the inspiration for the creation of the program,” Fenn said. As a First Scholar, Fenn was introduced to the Student “I have learned to navigate the college experience while having Diversity and Inclusion Center, where he discovered that a more empathy for myself and others.” Staff Profile: Yvonne Francis Honors welcomes the new administrative coordinator B Y N I C O L E K LO N I ZO S ( ’ 2 3 ) This fall the Honors college welcomed a new staff member and mentorship. In her role now, Francis said, “I love to tell people about my to the community: Yvonne Francis, the new administrative experiences as an undergrad at Westminster and give advice on coordinator. how to navigate what’s going on in your undergrad and after.” She works as a liaison between students, staff, and faculty, Francis said her journey at Westminster has influenced her offering a helping hand to all members of the Honors college perception of the word “success.” community. She said she now feels success is not only about external Francis graduated from Westminster College in 2013 with standards, but also about pursuing one’s passions. a Bachelor of Science in psychology and later “You don’t have to meet a bunch of these earned an MFA in Creative Writing. outside standards,” Francis said. “I feel like that Francis grew up in Utah and graduated from support really encourages people to go after the International Baccalaureate (IB) program what they’re passionate for. You can make those at Hunter High School (‘09) before attending standards for yourself.” Westminster. She applied for the then Honors Furthermore, Francis said it is important not program, even though she had already completed to let others’ standards of success impact personal the liberal arts core requirements through the IB goals. program. “Success to me means more about fulfillment “I wanted to do the seminar style; I wanted Yvonne Francis wears a black quarter zipper jacket with an and being happy with what I’m doing,” Francis the dual professors. [The Honors program] was embroidered copper Westminster said. exactly what I was looking for when it came to Honors College logo, black Francis works at the front desk of Nunemaker trying to find the best education,” Francis said. glasses, and brown hair in a ponytail while standing in front until 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for Francis was also a McNair Scholar at of bushes near the Nunemaker students wishing to stop by, chat, or receive Westminster and said she deeply valued Patio. support. connecting with Honors faculty through research Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico 8 Let’s Get Your Perspective How do you define success? What does success mean to you? Acacia Jackson wears a blue and white striped collared shirt and a yellow sweater while standing in front of bushes near the Nunemaker Patio. Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico Acacia Jackson Christy Seifert Student perspective Professor perspective The image conjured to one’s mind when they hear the word “success” usually brings thoughts of money and productivity. Throughout my life, I’ve heard that success is solely attainable by working hard to get the career you need, to get the promotion you need, and to continue to buy the things you need — in order to remind yourself that you are successful. I also can’t seem to remember the last time I heard someone tell As a first-generation college student, I spent my first year perseverating about picking the “right” major. And so I focused exclusively on majors that would provide the safest, most reliable jobs, assuming that whatever eventual job I had would be the measure of the success of my degree. Without realizing it, I had already bought into the false idea that my future bachelor’s degree was no more than necessary job Christy Seifert wears a white blouse with dark blue flowers, a thin black coat, and black glasses while standing in front of Shaw Student Center. Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico me they felt successful. I think we are all taught that success is a necessity to a purposeful life, but it comes in fleeting moments we are destined to always chase after. That’s not how I see success. When it comes down to it all, in simple terms, I define success as the ability to have gratitude. I find gratitude in the Earth, in the people that surround me, and in myself. When I am able to spend time with the Earth and breathe fresh air, I find myself lucky to live in such beautiful spaces — this is success. When I spend time with the people I love, I feel grateful to know them and support them through their lives; I feel again grateful when they can do the same for me. And lastly, I find immense gratitude in myself for how much I have been able to grow and learn in my young life. I see all these things as a reflection of how successful my life is. So, as much as a career or money or accomplishing goals can make you feel successful, I think such a feeling will be unsatisfactory if we can’t find success in the mundane and simple parts of our own life — the life we are all so continuously lucky to live in. Our lives will feel successful if we can find gratitude in the ones we are already living in. training. Weeks into my sophomore year, I sat with my assigned advisor, a thoughtful economics professor, who patiently listened to me weigh the pros and cons of accounting versus pre-law in terms of salary and job stability. At one point, he broke into my monologue to gently say, “But what about ideas? What do you want to think about?” They were questions that had never occurred to me before. The fact that I could choose what I think about for the rest of my life was a revelation. To be fair, money matters a lot. I certainly wasn’t wrong to be thinking about how my future degree would successfully help me find a job. But what I had failed to do in those first confusing years of college was to consider the development of my interior life. To be able to think deeply about things, mull over ideas that matter, and discuss their merits with other invested humans is a kind of success — one that requires lifelong training, development, focus, and commitment. Without college and without someone explicitly giving me permission to prioritize ideas, I’m not sure I would have found a successful inner life. Success isn’t just about the future job; it’s also about the richness of living an examined life, one filled with ideas. This is what I try to offer back to students. “To be abl e to think deepl y abo ut things, “Wh e n it co m e s d ow n to i t a l l , i n s i m pl e ter m s, m ul l over ideas that m atter, and discuss their I d ef in e s u cce ss a s t h e a b i l i t y to h ave g ratitude m er its with other invested hum ans is a kind of in th e E arth , i n t h e pe opl e t h at s u r ro u nd m e, success — o ne that requires l ifel o ng training, a n d i n mys e l f.” devel o pm ent, fo cus, and co m m itm ent.” 9 NEWS & NOTES Stacie Whitford (’92) was honored at the 2022 Utah Philanthropy Day celebration with the “Hearts and Hands” award for her volunteer service to Westminster College. Eric Glissmeyer (’04) has been promoted to Director of Pediatric Emergency Practice Expansion at University of Utah Health. Dan Perez (’06) was recently named to Business Insider’s 30 Under 40 list of leaders transforming healthcare. Marie Martin (’08) is co-PI on a $4.58 million grant to support the creation of a degree completion/re-entry program for University of California students who stopped-out and California residents with some college and no degree. Assistant Editor at the Journal of Human Rights and the Environment. Jadie Adams (’18) presented two research projects related to her Ph.D. studies at the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah at the 25th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention in Singapore, one of which won best presentation at the STATCOM workshop. Charlie Saad (’18) has started a new position as International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Taylor Stevens (’18) completed her Master’s of Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University this past summer. Brody Leven (’10) has been elected to the board of directors of the American Alpine Club. Rachel Kuhr Iverson (’19) has started a new position as Communicating and Marketing Manager at HOALiving. Yvonne Francis (’13) is the new Honors College Administrative Coordinator at Westminster. Liz Johnson (’19) has started a new position as Membership Marketing Manager for the American Water Works Association in Denver, a non-profit devoted to improving water quality and supply. Pratik Raghu (’15) recently completed his Ph.D. in Global Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara and has started as position as Visiting Assistant Professor in the Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management MS Program at the New School in New York City. Mackenzie Crow (’16) has started a new position as a Policy Analyst at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). James Steur (’16) won the 2022 William T. Bernhard Award for Best Dissertation Prospectus as part of his Ph.D. work in Political Science at University of Illinois for his thesis Political Sadness: Democratic Institutions and Citizens in a Depressing World. Elhom Gosink (’17) started her Ph.D. studies in the Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought (ASPECT) program at Virginia Tech University this fall. Julie Norman (’20) recently started a position as a Research Associate at Secretariat Economists in Washington, D.C. Grace Padilla (’20) won a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant worth over $100,000 over the course of three years to support her PhD studies in Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego. Kyana Hamilton (’21) is attending Arizona State University, where she is studying for her MA in Counseling. Madison Vilhauer (’21) has started law school at Pace University. Chelsea Anowi (’22) is Communication Specialist and Special Events Coordinator in the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office. Obaid Barakzai (’22) received the President’s Leadership Award and Sophie Caligiuri (’22) won the Trustees’ Character Award at Westminster’s spring 2022 commencement, Abbie Hagen (’22) has just started the MFA program in Costume Design and Technology at Kent State University. Prashanti Limbu (’22) just began the master’s program in Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. Faith Staley (’22) was awarded Westminster’s Campus Impact & Legacy award at the Purple & Gold Student Leadership Recognition ceremony in conjunction with 2022 graduation. Brendan Sudberry (’22) recently started a position as a Development Specialist at the University of Utah supporting their College of Humanities and School for Cultural and Social Transformation. Nicole Klonizos (’23) was featured on an episode of the podcast The Juice with Solomon Georgio. Acacia Jackson (’23) started managing the Westminster College’s Outdoor Program — a program for all people to get introduced to the outdoors and have a fun time with people and nature. Kelsey Smith (’23) currently has an internship with the Utah Council on Citizen Diplomacy (UCCD). Sophia DiGeronimo (’24) earned RMAC All-Conference 1st Team honors on this year’s women’s soccer team. Kelsey Ammons (’22) has started graduate school at Trinity College, Dublin, where she is working toward an M.S. in International Relations Did you do something notable? We want to know! Email your news and notes to Richard Badenhausen at [e-mail]. Tim Lindgren (’17) is continuing his Ph.D. studies in International Law at the University of Melbourne and is now 10 A Letter from the Student Honors Council BY MORGAN MADSEN (’25) The ‘22-’23 Student Honors Council stands in front of a glass window in Bassis Student Center. Left to right: Kelln Pratt (treasurer), Morgan Madsen (secretary), Perla Garcia (president), Liliana Sauro (historian), Karlie Allen (vice president). Photo courtesy of Lucas Arico The now fully-staffed Student Honors Council met for major, said the goal of this year’s council is to “create community the first council meeting of 2022 on a sunny afternoon in and just bring everyone together.” September. This goal is fully supported by other members of the SHC Energy and enthusiasm filled the room as members of SHC staff, including Vice President Karlie Allen, a sophomore gathered around a small table to discuss plans for the upcoming political science major; Historian Liliana Sauro, a junior public year. health major; Treasurer Kelln Pratt, a first-year music major; COVID-19 had taken a lot from the Westminster College and myself. community, constantly changing guidelines and restricting “This year is the first year that we’re completely free of any circumstances to the point of rendering school-sponsored COVID restrictions,” Allen said. “So, it’s really important that activities unrecognizable. we build back up the community we lost over the past several Now that students, faculty, and staff are back on campus years.” and relatively free of Following an restrictions, the SHC emergency election is ready to operate at the beginning in-person, fostering of September, the “This year is the first year that we’re completely free of any connections and Student Honors COVID restrictions. So, it’s really important that we build back building meaningful Council welcomed relationships first-year student up the community we lost over the past several years.” within the Honors Kelln Pratt into the community. role of treasurer. Karlie Allen (’25) As the SHC With hopes for the Secretary for the upcoming school year, current academic year, Pratt said, “within a I have had the honor few weeks I already of working closely with each member of this year’s council. felt welcome into the community. I hope that through SHC I have been amazed at the dedication and drive each of we can help others feel that way as well.” these fantastic people display toward making this year “one to The SHC members are excited to welcome everyone back to remember.” campus this year and to get to know the Westminster Honors SHC President, Perla Garcia, a sophomore pre-nursing college community better soon! 11 H O N O RAB LE MENTION E DIT O R S 2022-2023 Vanessa Eveleth (she/her) (‘23), Managing Editor, is a communication major with a love for telling stories. Vanessa has a deep appreciation for the power of words. Writing has been part of her life since she was seven years old. At Westminster, she works as the marketing and communication assistant for the Office of Marketing, Communication, and Events. Vanessa also is the production and managing editor for The Forum. If not writing, Vanessa is likely to be tucked away in a cozy corner 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 unofficially declared film studies minor. On campus, she is the Editor-in-Chief of The Forum and a co-coordinator of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Life Program. Zidia loves playing video games and going on drives with her besties. She also has a special knack for seeking out the cats on Westminster Ave. and petting them profusely (much to both parties’ delight). Shreeya Maskey (she/her) (’26), Copy Editor, is pursuing a computer science major, although she hasn’t formally declared it yet. She likes to learn about websites whenever she can and is working as a website developer for an organization back in Nepal. On campus, she is an office assistant for the Registrar’s Office. Shreeya loves walking through the snow, hanging out with friends and eating rice. She is finally getting over her unhealthy reliance on rice though. Lucas Arico (he/him) (’24), Photo Editor, is a communication major and unofficially declared art minor. On campus, Lucas works in the Office of Admissions preparing for the daily campus visits. He can also be found in the Media and Design Lab creating his own designs as well as helping students with their design projects. When he isn’t doing anything, Lucas is sleeping in on snowy days, decorating his room with even more lights, and exploring the Salt Lake City area with his besties. Letter from the Editors College is about finding all the potential opportunities for success. Students often start their college journey thinking about how they want to succeed in life, find prosperous future careers, and secure a stable livelihood (or at least that’s what society expects of them). But is that all there is to success? As this Honorable Mention issue spotlights, there is more than one path towards success. We are able to find success in supportive peers and faculty, reflective internships, the completion of a rigorous fellowship application, and fostered conversation in a place of shared memory. Individual success lies not in the outputs of our dedication and hard work. Individual success is found within the numerous steps and frustrating challenges we face as we grow into our best selves. Honors College Westminster College 1840 South 1300 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84105 westminstercollege.edu/honors · · Fall 2022 Volume 21 Issue 1