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Honors Student Organization

Wood Honors College students are members of the Honors Student Organization (HSO). The HSO includes fourteen standing committees, ranging from Activities to Honors Read to Wellness. HSO committees organize numerous events each year to support and build community among Honors students, including the annual Honors Pumpkin Carving Contest and Honors Spring Celebration. Students can get involved in many ways, either by participating in HSO meetings and events or serving in a leadership position as a committee chair.

 

HSO Standing Committees:

The Activities Committee seeks to provide a wide variety of events to get students involved in the Honors College community beyond academics. With seasonal events such as the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Holiday Cookie Decorating Party, Honors students can enjoy some fun experiences with fellow Honors students outside of the classroom.
With over 800 Honors alumni in nearly every field, the Alumni Relations Committee seeks to utilize their experiences regarding life after a Ship Honors education to provide current students with the resources they need to find their own success. The committee plans multiple events to connect current students and alumni, such as Apple Pie with Alumni, in which an alum shares their experience in their field and how Honors helped them get there.

 

The Commuter Committee seeks to bridge the gap between on- and off-campus Honors students in order to build a stronger community. Utilizing commuters’ knowledge of the area surrounding Ship and resident students’ knowledge of campus resources, the committee has planned events such as walking tours of nearby cities and on-campus game nights. To keep up with the latest Commuter Committee ponderings and plannings, visit their blog, The Dorm-less Diary.
The Environmental Committee plans events and efforts geared towards protecting and appreciating the natural environment, including clean-up events, bicycle rides, and stargazing.
The Fundraising Committee coordinates at least one major and one minor fundraising project per year. The committee works with other HSO committees to distribute funds to committees as needed.
honors ambassadors.jpg The Honors Ambassadors are enthusiastic students who serve as resources and representatives of the Honors College to students considering membership in the Honors College. Formerly known as the Recruitment Committee, the Ambassadors represent the Honors College at the university’s Open Houses and Admitted Students Days, participate in the Honors high school visit program during the semester break, make phone calls to prospective students to answer any questions they might have, and meet with prospective students when they visit campus.
Honors Read is the official book club of the Wood Honors College. This committee distributes free books and short stories to students who are interested in participating and host monthly book discussions and other literary events.
The Media Committee coordinates the publication of .hnrs, the newsletter of the Wood Honors College. The committee also manages the Honors photo archive and creates visual arts and graphic design projects needed by the Honors College.
The Mentor-Mentee Committee pairs up students who are admitted to the Honors College with an upper-class Honors student in the same major. These mentors provide valuable academic assistance and social support. They contact their mentees during the summer and meet with them after they arrive on campus to help orient new Honors students to the university and the Honors College. Mentors also host a welcome picnic and other events for incoming Honors students throughout the academic year.
To ease new students’ transition to the university and the Honors College, the Orientation Committee hosts a summer orientation program for all first-year students entering the Honors College.
Reach Out is the Honors College's service-learning project in the Dominican Republic. Reach Out began in 2009 when we partnered with a school in Santo Domingo that serves very low-income children. Each year, Honors students develop curricular materials that will enhance teaching and learning at our partner school. Honors students have also raised funds for a new school building and to provide needed school supplies for the students and teachers. Click here to learn more.
The Service Committee coordinates a variety of service projects in the local and regional communities. The committee also collaborates with other organizations and recruits Honors students to participate in at least one joint service project per year. Recent service projects have included a "Rails to Trails" Clean Up in cooperation with the campus Volunteers Club.
The Honors Spring Celebration is held during the last week of the spring
semester to recognize graduating seniors and those who have contributed to the Honors College throughout the year. The Spring Celebration Committee assists in planning all aspects of the banquet including selecting the menu, speakers, and gifts for graduating seniors.
The Wellness Committee is responsible for providing resources and opportunities for Honors students to thrive in college both mentally and physically. The committee acknowledges the importance of ensuring that Honors students feel supported in their health and wellness goals.