September 2015 Issue

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA

Honors Student AssociationMadison Larimore, Co-editor

Harim Won, PR Officer

HONORS PROGRAM FALLNEWSLETTER

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Message from the President: Emily Pachunka

Well, it is finally here! Fall semester always seems to be a time filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a readiness to dive right in. As you all hopefully remember, last spring we worked hard as an Honors student body to initiate changes within our student organization. Finally, we are ready to see this new group in action: the Honors Student Association (HSA). As all University Honors Program students are automatically members of the HSA, you are invited to attend meetings, plan events, and partake in all of the “honor-ific” events we have going on.

One goal of the HSA this year is to create more opportunity for the Honors community to gather together and engage in thought-provoking conversation. We are planning to host debates for the Honors students to discuss current issues, take sides, and defend their perspectives. We want to organize movie nights in the Pep Bowl to watch films that not only entertain, but also ignite dialogue regarding the controversial or societal concerns of that time. The HSA is hoping to challenge ourselves to participate in more community outreach and service over the next year as well. But to achieve all of these goals, we need your help! We ask you to be an active member of the HSA and keep your excitement and enthusiasm through the next two semesters. If you have questions or new ideas for the HSA, feel free to contact me at epachunka@unomaha.edu! Have a great year and go Mavericks!

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Summer Vacation Updates

Where in the World was Justin Korth?Justin Korth, HSA Treasurer jjkorth@unomaha.edu

As well as the treasurer of the Honors Student Association, I am a junior accounting, finance, investment science, and banking major. My summer was filled with traveling and attending career-oriented conferences. It kicked off with a 5-week trip to Europe, where I visited Greece, Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Spain, with my favorite place being the Austrian Alps and my favorite city being Prague in the Czech Republic. Upon returning to the United States in July, I started two internships: one as an audit intern at Seim Johnson, a regional CPA firm; and another one as an investment analyst intern for Nebraska Angels, a venture capital group. I also attended three accounting and finance conferences in Omaha; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Houston, Texas. Finally, for work, I traveled to western Nebraska and rural Iowa.

After visiting many places and learning many new things, I am excited to bring my experiences back to UNO and help other students succeed. As some advice to younger students, truly cherish your time while in college. Being enrolled in senior-level classes, interning, and attending numerous conferences, I don’t find much time to enjoy the normal college experiences. Spend your freshman and sophomore years getting to know as many people as possible and having fun, because your life will soon become very busy. Cultivating and keeping personal and professional relationships will pay dividends down the road as you approach your professional career post-college.

Summer Medical & Dental Education Program 2015Harim Won, HSA Public Relations Officer hwon@unomaha.edu

This summer, I had the privilege of spending six weeks attending classes at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and living in Scott Hall for the Summer Medical and Dental Program (SMDEP). Established by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the program was started to give aspiring premedical and predental students exposure to the challenges and lifestyle of medical and dental students. UNMC is honored to be one of twelve other program sites of SMDEP, including such institutions as Duke, Yale, and UCLA.

As a little bit of background, I came to UNO as a freshman student knowing that I wanted to become a med-ical doctor. However, the more I became involved in undergraduate research, the more I thought that a career in research might better suit me. I decided that I would attend the program and gain a better understanding of what medicine is truly like. In February, I was ecstatic to find out that I had been accepted at UNMC and looked forward to spending my summer there.

During the program, we attended classes that supplemented courses we take as undergraduates while also pre-senting them from a medical/dental perspective. In addition to classes, the premedical students spent Fridays in the gross anatomy lab at UNMC, and the predental students drove down to the College of Dentistry in Lincoln. Perhaps one of the best things about SMDEP was being surrounded by students who have demonstrated dedi-cation to their life goals in the same way that I have. Even though the group was the most diverse I have ever experienced (students from all different states, races, ethnicities, religions, family and social backgrounds), it was easy to build camaraderie with my fellow scholars because of the common goals for success that we shared.

If you are a freshman or sophomore premedical or predental student interested in learning more about the program, please feel free to contact me!

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UNMC Munroe Meyer Institute Internship ReflectionClaire Cunningham

As my sophomore year came to a close, I realized that I had to begin thinking about which area of psychology I might be interested in as a future career. I was interested in finding an internship that would combine my two interests—language and psychology—in this one potential career. I spent the final months of my sophomore year going to psychology conferences and research talks, researching majors and graduate programs, all while trying to successfully balance my current coursework.

One conference in particular, the University of Nebraska at Omaha hosted Early Childhood Psychology confer-ence, piqued my interested. At the conference I was connected with an internship opportunity through UNMC at the Munroe Meyer Institute’s Autism Care for Toddlers (ACT) Clinic. This summer I was a therapist for two different children with autism.

The two children I worked with made remarkable strides this summer. The therapists, supervisors, parents, and other helpers made all their progress possible. I cannot disclose specific information regarding their programs and specific ages because of confidentiality protection, but they both did improve quite a bit. They are at very different places developmentally, with one able to speak many more words than the other. This is mostly because of the age difference. I will continue working with one of the children for the next year, and I am very

Summer Vacation Updates (cont.)

Shane’s Travels through Europe and IsraelShane Cavlovic, Honors Program Student Worker

To further my studies in Medieval history and archaeology, I ob-tained a FUSE Grant and spent the beginning part of the summer conducting archaeological surveys in County Roscommon, Ireland, in what is known as a medieval “high-status Gaelic lordly site.” Since so many of these types of sites in this area are severely under researched, they have been lost to the landscape – making

Summer Vacation Updates (cont.)

excited to see the progress that she will continue to make during the transition to preschool! The other child that I worked with this summer has a different therapist for the next year, but will continue to be in the ACT clinic. This internship has opened my eyes not only to a completely different world of psychology, but also to a deeper and more accurate understanding of autism. I had absolutely no idea what autism entailed, or how amazingly strong those diagnosed with it are. The children that I worked with at the clinic are all extremely hard working. At just a few years old they are working more than twice as hard as other children their age to bridge the gap. They are not any less intelligent, they just learn in a different way. Working with children with autism is a very rewarding field. Working with a child for weeks and months on a skill, such as saying their name, and then to have them say it is such an inexplicably great feeling. There are lots of hours of work, tears of frustration, and giggles that go into each moment of triumph. The progress that one child can have in a matter of months is truly amazing.

The parents and guardians of the children are equally great. Most of the parents and guardians of the children we work with in clinic are very devoted to their child’s wellbeing and therapy, and their love for their child is shown through this commitment. The parents don’t simply drop their children off, and the hard work doesn’t only occurs in the clinic. These parents and guardians continue the hard work at home, guided by the clinic’s parent training. Also, when a development happens outside of clinic, the parents come in the next day with videos and notes, excitedly chronicling the triumph. It is very encouraging to see children with this type of committed guardian, knowing that they are in the best possible atmosphere to help them succeed in life. I will continue to work at the clinic for the next year, and plan to learn much more! I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to explore this wonderful new area of psychology. The ACT clinic is doing great things, and it has been a privilege to work and learn there.

worthwhile excavations nearly impossible. However, in conjunction with NUI Galway and Western Aerial Sur-vey, we were able to carry out aerial drone surveys, gradiometry scans, and resistivity measurements to deter-mine accurately where excavations should take place.

After that was finished, I had a little over a week until my next job started in Israel (I was luckily able to visit Croatia, Italy, and Greece!). With support from the Martin Fund, my work in Israel started in Arsuf (also known as Apollonia) where I aided Tubingen University in their excavation of the fortified Crusader city. From there I was able to return to Montfort Castle in Western Galilee to resume excavations of a structure within the castle’s outer fortifications. Evidence uncovered from the current and previous season has led Dr. Adrian Boas to con-clude that this structure served as the knights’ stable.

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Summer Internship in Dublin, IrelandAnthony Hughes

During the summer I had a political science based internship with Councillor David O’Connor, Chairman of Dublin County Council, in which I shadowed him at a number of public events, chairing meetings of the county council, working with his staff and council colleagues both in the office and out, as well as researching planning proposals and constituents’ concerns throughout Dublin.

The process by which I received the internship was a good deal more informal than a number of internships for which I’ve applied in the past. I would argue that if you demonstrate a clear commitment to public service, and simply wish to shadow or follow politicians or civil servants at any level, it can be as simple as writing to a public figure you know of or getting involved in party or community work, where interaction and networking with public officials is quite common. Although David O’Connor has been a family friend for many years, the culture in Irish politics is far more locally oriented and therefore more accessible for people to take part in the process. More often than not, the fact that you offer your voluntary services to politicians can be just as good as an accomplished resume, in that you can cultivate your own professional experience while the politicians can rely on bright, young, capable, and eager people to help with their work for free: a win for both sides!

My own experience over those three months was just like that. During the time I worked with Chairman O’Connor I had the chance to take part in numerous events around the country, getting to see how politicians from all levels collaborate with one another and coming to understand what they accomplish together. For example, in June, I joined Cllr. O’Connor in opening a new UN-sponsored biosphere in Dublin Bay, which grants the citywide coastal area unique global status for conservation efforts, wide-ranging research, and public enjoyment. The daylong experience was filled with meeting numerous public officials like Richard Bruton, the Minister for Enterprise, one of the highest-ranking cabinet ministers in the country, Senator Darragh O’Brien, the Dutch Ambassador to Ireland Paul Schellekens, and civil servants from all levels. There was also a great turnout from members of the community: parents and children who will use the new public space for kite flying and long walks on the beach, young university researchers who will carry out extensive examinations on marine and wildlife in the biosphere, and environment activists and enthusiasts who will flock to the area and enjoy all the natural beauty that the biosphere offers. All at once, the opening day of a globally protected green space brought together the whole community and the public representatives who serve them in an afternoon filled with a wide variety of civic enjoyment with just as extensive a buffet of tea and scones for the assembled guests.

Summer Vacation Updates (cont.)

In July I accompanied David and his wonderful wife Breege to the Irish countryside where he opened a new cultural center alongside President Michael D. Higgins. The event was set in a typically picturesque village called The Naul, where thatched-roof pubs and cottages are liberally adorned with hanging floral baskets like beacons along the narrow sweeping country roads, the air filled by scents of tulips and strawberries drifting from nearby allotments – whilst their pleasant aromas were intertwined with the stench of local cattle. With lashings of champagne, orange juice, and canapés for the several dozen locals assembled in the center’s courtyard, the stage was playing host to a young traditional music group, known as a ceili, who played numerous jigs and reels as even younger Irish Anthony and President Michael D. Higgins

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Summer Vacation Updates (cont.)

dancers vested in sequin-studded dresses and curled wigs tapped their way to our viewing pleasure. The ceremonial opening itself, complete with a presidential fanfare and unveiling of a commemorative plaque, was one of dozens the President carries out each year and one of many that David will host during his twelve-month chairmanship. The opening of the arts center in particular reflects the President’s commitment to culture and the Irish character in music, literature, and media; I had a chance to speak to him briefly after the ceremony about his own poetry, for which he was known before going into politics, and I could see the esteem he still holds for the written word as a vehicle for culture as well as public service.

In August I joined David at the Moroccan embassy for that country’s national day celebrations, an occasion that drew a large number of diplomatic and political personalities for a day filled with lively music and fabulous cuisine. The event was held in the port city of Dun Laoghaire about half an hour south of Dublin City, where the pristine marina set the backdrop for the embassy reception. During the day I had a chance to speak with embassy staff not only from Morocco, but from the U.S., Kenya, Australia, India, and the Netherlands, just to name a few. The Ambassador and his wife greeted us at the front of the reception hall, where we posed for photographs and exchanged compliments. The reception provided an often unseen side of interaction between different countries’ officials, where no formal negotiations or policy speeches have to be made, but where conversation about cricket or sailing and enjoying good food was the order of the day.

The entire internship this summer was filled with not only the practical, everyday activities between offices, meetings, and events that one might expect of work experience. Having learned invaluable lessons about active public service and about the many individuals who take part to help their communities, whether in elected office or within the public sector, has reinforced my own passion for politics and helped me affirm that I can be of service in so many ways to my community, whether locally or nationally. My summer with Dublin County Council is one I shan’t soon forget, and I encourage every student to do whatever you can now and in the years ahead to cultivate those vital skills and experiences which will lead you along your own path to self-discovery and crafting your futures.

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Facebook Pictures from this Summer Share your photos and stories with us at https://www.facebook.com/UNOHonorsProgram!

Erin Dabbs

Sara Smith

Sarah Nickolaison

Madison Larimore

Mallorie Wright

Jenny Bright

Amber Loon Johnson

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Living in the Honors Living Learning Community

Experiences as an RA for the Honors LLC Alexander Swenson, Resident Assistant

During my freshman year, I was certainly involved in the Honors Program and had many great experiences. Even though I am only two weeks into my sophomore year, I can already tell that becoming the RA for the Honors Living Learning Community is going to make my relationship with the Honors Program even more engaging and exciting.

It all started in early August with RA training. The first two days of training were spent off-campus on a retreat just so the staff could have some fun and get to know each other. Once the retreat was over though, the real work began. The next week and a half consisted of long, grueling days spent learning policies, procedures, and skills. It felt like I had started school two weeks early. The training was hard but all the information was very important. Once training was finished, I was “officially” an RA, but that meant it was time to get ready for move-in day. Although move-in day was possibly more tiring than training, it was awesome. I really enjoyed meeting all the new residents and their families. I learned that my building is a very diverse group with people from as far as Colorado and as close as right down the road at Creighton Prep. Being the RA for the Honors LLC is enhancing my honors experience, not just because of all the new Honors Program members I have met, but because of how much I get to collaborate with Dr. Morrison now.

I have already started planning my building programs for first semester and Dr. Morrison has been very help-ful with the process. I’m looking forward to doing these building programs because I believe they will be fun, engaging, and make my residents’ experience in the community a good one. After two weeks on the “job”, I can say that being the RA of the Honors LLC is adding a new dimension to my honors experience. My building is filled with exceptional people and I hope that I can bring a new dimension to their honors experience too.

College Experience in the LLC Lucas Houser, Resident

For many incoming freshmen, the last year has gone by more like a checklist: apply to schools, get good grades, go to senior events because you’re only in high school once, choose a school, keep getting good grades, sleep on occasion, apply for housing, say goodbye to your friends of the last four years, and keep getting good grades. With every step of the way drawn out for us since last August, by the time we were ready to head for college we felt we had all of our ducks lined up in a row alphabetically by name. The only thing missing was the task of finding a network of people to fall back on.

Unfortunately for many, this is the most terrifying of all the tasks to be accomplished. Sure the optional forced socialization the first week somewhat helps us to realize how lost everyone else seems to be, but without contin-uous interaction, the socialization just leads to a whole lot of awkward encounters. This is where I have found the Living Learning Community to be the most helpful. The only part of the socialization that was forced was to read a book about boys on a ship (I think that’s what it was about), but having that initial ice breaker has made all the difference in our little dorm in Mav Village. We all interact with one another. We make food for each other, and to guide us all is Alex, our mother.

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We look out for our community. We hang out. We have fun. We study together, and we learn together, and to be able to have a full college experience like this within the first two weeks of school without having to leave our building is a pretty amazing thing. To have been able to find this strong of a support group and build this many relationships early on has only led to the complete alleviation of all fears I had coming into college, and trepida-tions of future obstacles are minimal thanks to the community I have to rely on. Thank you everyone.

(Sorry to Alex. It fit the rhyme scheme)

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Honors Program Students Study PR EthicsJeremy Harris Lipschultz, Isaacson Professor

Seventeen University of Nebraska at Omaha Honors Program students studied public relations ethics during the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Ethics Month meeting in September.

Spotlight on an Honors Colloquium Class

The students in HONR 3000 “Free Expression and Social Media” Colloquium attended a PRSA Nebraska luncheon at Anthony’s steak house on September 1st. Gil Cohen, executive vice president Omaha Magazine spoke about business and the need to remain true to personal ethics, even when a client does not tell the truth. “Don’t change your ethics when the rules of the game change,” Cohen said.

Students participated in roundtable ethics discussions with Omaha-area PR professionals. Some said a PR person must be ready to quit a job rather than compromise ethics.

The class, taught by Isaacson Professor Jeremy Harris Lipschultz, focused the week by studying and writing about the PRSA Code of Ethics. Following the luncheon, students discussed how to apply ethics theory and best practices.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Honors T-shirt Design ContestDr. Lucy Morrison

Want to make your mark on Honors? We are running a contest for the design for the new Honors T-shirts for the year! Please follow the rules below:

1) Only one entry per active Honors student permitted (you should put your NUID in one corner of the design submitted); all entries should be turned in as hard copies to Mrs. Lupe Green in Kayser 208 NO LATER THAN Wednesday 30th September.

Kayser Hall 208 | 402-554-2696 | honors.unomaha.edu

The University of Nebraska at Omaha does not discriminate based on gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin,

or sexual orientation.

If you would like to contribute a piece to our next newsletter, contact us at unohonors@unomaha.edu! We can give you topics to consider, or you may present ideas of your own. Please make sure any submissions are emailed to the above email address by Monday, November 16th.

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Upcoming Events and Announcements (cont.)

FUSE Friday | Friday, October 2nd at 12:00 PMUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaHarim Won

UNO supports faculty-mentored undergraduate research and creative activity endeavors via the Fund for Undergraduate Scholarly Experiences (FUSE). As long as a UNO student will be a student the next academic year, grants of up to $4500 are available for research activity. Students will need to be able to commit time to the project and prepare either a poster or oral presentation for the annual Research and Creative Activity Fair at Criss Library. The Honors Program will be holding the FUSE Friday event for Honors students to come learn more about the grant and ask questions. Many Honors students have either been awarded a FUSE grant in the past or are working on one currently and will be there to answer questions about the application process, what they are doing, and anything else that comes up. Undergraduate research and creative activity is one of many ways that Honors students at UNO distinguish themselves and fulfill their full potential. I hope to see you there and to hear about the grants for which you are subsequently funded!

2) Please submit your design for the shirt (back and front) on a piece of letter-size paper. Shirts can ONLY be black OR white OR gray and can have NO MORE THAN two ink colors on the solid background color.

3) All designs MUST include “University Honors Program” and the University “O” symbol on them; designs should only be on front and back—or could have the “O” as front or back with the other side as a design.

Appropriate, brand-correct usages of the UNO “O” and the Honors Program logo