Honors Students Recognized for Work in the Major

Last year, the Honors Program welcomed its largest cohort of incoming students in the program’s history. Students completing their work in the major were recognized the Honors Pinning Ceremony in May.

The Honors Program serves as a platform for academically talented students and centers on leadership both on and off campus. The program requires four courses and a seminar of the student’s choosing. Students also complete two credits of shared research with a professor within their major.

“My sense is that the Honors Program, although it adds something to your curricular load, is more of an intensification of your overall Trinity experience than a huge alteration,” said Dr. Craig Mattson, Honors Program director and professor of communication arts. “It puts your Trinity education into high definition.”

Alumna Kristen Blok said her project both challenged and enabled her to engage in conversation that furthered her understanding of her own discipline. “This culminating project embodies what the Honors Program is all about: finding joy in learning and spurring one another on to ask good questions and study valuable topics,” said Blok.

Honors Work in the Major

Kristen Blok with Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo (Psychology)
“Mindfulness & Food: A Calling to Intentional Living” 

Taylor Boice with Dr. Rick Hamilton (Business)
“Organizational Consulting: Learning & Leading” 

Kaitlyn Claerbaut with Adjunct Professor MaryAnn Colletti (Nursing)
“Depression in Cardiopulmonary Illness”

Kerry Garrison with Dr. John Sebestyen (Communication Arts)
“Participating in Chicago Theatre through Directing” 

Molly Gobeli and Rebecca Vannette with Professor Tina Decker (Nursing)
“Effects of Perceived Stress & Coping Methods”

Jessica Jacobi with Dr. Clay Carlson (Biology)
“DNA: The Code of Life”

Michael Kunnen with Dr. Clay Carlson (Biology)
“Christian Ethics on the Field of Metagenomics” 

Simona Sidaugaite with Adjunct Professor Samantha Schultz (Political Science/History)
“Race Issues” 

Adam Suwyn with Dr. Rick Hamilton (Business)
“The Dilemma of Non-Profit Strategy” 

Logan Vos with Dr. Rick Hamilton (Business)
“Organizational Consulting” 

Hannah Wasco with Dr. John Fry (History)
“1800 U.S. Presidential Election” 

Kathryn Woodside with Dr. Bill Boerman-Cornell (Education)
“Gender Dominance in Student Choice Book Awards” 

Matthew Wydra with Dr. Rick Hamilton (Business)
“Organizational Consulting Team Leadership”