Spring 2020 L&S Honors Commencement

It was indeed a challenging but yet worthy experience to write your honor’s senior thesis. You are not considered as honor’s student if you don’t experience a sleepless night at the end of your writing due date 😀

Receiving a key to the graphics lab.

My honors experience taught me how to cultivate and maintain individual relationships with professors, and use those relationships to help myself be a stronger student and a better individual altogether.

The Honors experience was a worthwhile opportunity to take a few graduate classes and gain familiarity with the process of research in the field of Human Computer Interaction. I am very grateful to my advisor, Dr. Bilge Mutlu, for supporting me through this process, to the Trewartha family, for sponsoring my thesis through the Trewartha senior thesis grant, and finally, to my joint senior thesis co-author Andrew Geng.

One of the most rewarding experiences in my time as an undergraduate at UW-Madison was the conduction of my Senior Honors Thesis. Being given the opportunity to design and conduct my own original research project and see some of the interesting results that were found was a rare moment of genuine pride.

My Honors experience allowed me to get to know my professors in new ways. It was such a wonderful learning opportunity to collaborate with my Honors professors throughout several semesters. Giving a lecture on universal newborn hearing screenings and studying and researching more specific topics were great experiences to have as an undergraduate student.

I am incredibly grateful for my time in L&S Honors. One of the most valuable aspects of my Honors experience was having discussion each week with my professors. I appreciated getting to know my professors outside of lecture and delving deeper into the content they were very passionate and knowledgable about. I am very thankful for my time in Honors and at UW-Madison, and I am excited to see what the future holds!

In the Spring 2017, my Honors advisor suggested looking into the Welton Sophomore Honors Summer Apprenticeship program. I was fortunate enough to earn a spot in the program and became associated with the Chang Lab at the Waisman Center. While I was able to get involved with cutting edge research investigating gene mutations as a cause of Rett syndrome, I was also able to develop lasting and respectful relationships with my mentors. This apprenticeship led to an invitation to join their team as an undergraduate research assistant which then led to an expansion of my network into other research labs on campus. It also positioned me to provide training and mentoring opportunities of my own as a trusted senior member of their team.

Having small and personable classes that engaged me in new and surprising ways within subjects outside of my major opened my mind to the incredible array of study at the University and helped me make a diverse pool of friends and peers.

This was the first time I come to Lake Mendota. I came here because I didn’t just want to learn about math or just computer science. I wanted to learn more about the world, this broader existence that I shall have the ability to appreciate it and live with it. I didn’t want my major to restraint my eyesight. I wanted to be liberally educated. Comprehensive honor program gave me the drive to spend my day and nights on subjects that I could never thought of learning: French literature, philosophy, astronomy, biochemistry, rhetorics, architecture, and design. It also gave me the opportunity to connect and learn with amazing people. It gave me the inclusiveness to fail, and the capacity to grow. The program also helped me the dive deeper into computer science. To my parents who love and support me for my dream in Madison, to all the professors who have taught me to become the person I am today – Thank you! I will remember what I had learned here, and try to make our world a better place.

I have enjoyed engaging in the content through intimate Honors sections throughout my degree and developing strong relationships with faculty. The Honors experience has allowed me to meet and learn from diverse peers and professors beyond my majors in psychology and neurobiology. One of my favorite Honors sections included Population Health 370 which inspired me to pursue Public Health post-graduation. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to become involved in multiple parts of campus including serving as the Honors Student Organization Communication Chair.

I always felt very comforted and supported any time I was having an advising appointment.

As an Honors student, I feel very fortunate to take a graduate-level course and to do year-long research with Professor Mark Craven. I believe both experiences gave me opportunities to explore more in Computer Science.

Being an Honors student at Madison definitely changed my college experience for the better. The relationships I got to form with my teachers through honors only courses were pivotal to my college career. I enjoyed being in smaller classes and enjoyed the extra challenges that came with that!

I really enjoyed attending the Honors Welcome Party my first week of Freshman year. It was one of the first activities I did on campus and even though I didn’t know anyone I ended up sitting next to a student who happened to be in my FIG! It made the first day of classes less nerve-racking and shows how you can make a campus of 40,000 so much smaller and more of a community.

I think the honors experience has provided me with an in-depth holistic understanding of my education and how it fits into not just my major but the world around me. Also, many of the honors classes I took were some of the more interesting classes that were outside of my direct field of study. I think the program contributed positively towards my experience at UW-Madison.

My Honors experience was a constant reminder to challenge myself to go beyond the assigned lectures and reading. Completing extra projects in Honors-designated courses somehow made me want to go beyond the syllabus in all my other courses. A lot of my Honors experience was in the German department, studying abroad and taking a couple of senior seminars, and I count among my top experiences at UW.

During my time as an L&S Honors student, I not only had the opportunity to work on an exciting neurobiology research project leading to a future publication, but also work with and train fellow students. This picture was taken the day before Erica (left) and Amanda (second from right), returned to Puerto Rico after their summer research programs concluded. Hawra (second from left), who recently joined Dr. Corinna Burger’s lab, also had the chance to get to know our group throughout the summer. In between running Western blot gels and performing the Morris Water Maze with our rats, Erica and Amanda had me try a variety of Puerta Rican cuisine like tostones (YUM) and cheesy hot chocolate (also YUM). Getting to know these girls was such a highlight in my honors research experience and I am looking forward to seeing them again at conferences in future years. Apart from that summer, the honors program allowed me to attend the annual Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago and present at a few of its satellite meetings. Here I had the opportunity to network with neurobiology students and faculty from all over the world. I cannot thank the L&S Honors Program, the Trewartha family, Corinna Burger (my research advisor), and so many others enough for all the training and opportunities I have been afforded during my time here. On Wisconsin!

I am particularly thankful for the experience of completing a Senior Honors Project under Professor Elizabeth Bearden. Under her guidance and freedom, I explored multiple disciplines, such as philosophy, early modern literature, and disability studies. Further, I wrote my longest argument which advocates for counter eugenic logic and disability gain. I am so grateful to have learned from such a wise scholar, brilliant lecturer, and caring mentor. I will carry this experience with me forever.

I’m so glad I pursued an Honors degree at UW! I would like to give special thanks to Janet Batzli, Michelle Harris, the whole Biocore teaching team, and Susan Brantly — each of these fantastic professors challenged me to become a creative scientist, writer, and thinker.

My favorite part of the honors experience was getting to know my professors on a more personal level and learning things more in-depth by taking discussion sections taught by the professor rather than a TA.

My Honors courses have been some of the most memorable throughout my undergraduate career. They have given me the opportunity to study topics far outside my major and gain knowledge in a wide variety of topics. I have also met some great friends and mentors through the Honors program, and I will always look back on it as an important part of my time at UW.

I loved any visit up to the Washburn Observatory — the view was amazing.

I’m so fortunate to have been part of the L&S Honors community for the past four years! This program allowed me to take on an enriching and diverse course load, to develop lasting connections with peers and professors alike, and to attend a wide variety of interesting events and workshops. It gave me so many amazing memories and experiences here in Madison, all of which I will bring with me as I start new professional and personal journeys in the years to come.

Throughout my four years at Madison, I have loved the opportunities and relationships that being a part of the Honors program has given me. When I took smaller Honors courses that were led by professors, attended Honors academic advising appointments with advisors who actually knew my name, and recognized fellow Honors students in my classes, I felt like more than just another number at a massive university. I will miss being a part of the Honors community!

I am truly grateful for this experience. I had an amazing opportunity to do research and work with some amazing minds. The research that I completed further solidified why I love what I do. I am excited to further pursue my education in this area by getting a Master’s degree from UW-Madison starting Fall 2020.

The L&S Honors Program gave me many opportunities to further explore my interests inside and outside of the classroom.

My experience at UW was greater than I could have ever imagined. A highlight of my academic journey took place this past year, where I had the opportunity to work alongside one of my favorite professors while conducting research for my senior thesis. I absolutely loved having the opportunity to explore a topic I am very passionate about.

Many thanks to all the support from the friends, family, and faculty that have kept me going throughout the years, with special thanks to the D’Onghia and Schmidt groups for the invaluable mentoring, generosity, and opportunity that they have provided outside the classroom. And a big thank you to the Honors program and numerous L&S professors who collaborated with me to expand my education beyond the standard course material, affording me the agency to personally direct my own curriculum and all of the fulfillment that has come with it.

The Honors Program at UW-Madison allowed me to get the most out of my undergraduate education. Honors allowed me to explore rich coursework, attend smaller classes, and form connections with the brightest minds at UW-Madison.

My junior year I had the opportunity to take an Honors history seminar on a personal topic of interest, which would turn out to be one of my favorite classes I took at UW. The course is History 600: Baseball & Society Since WWII, co-instructed by MLB Commissioner Emeritus Allan Selig. Learning from a great professor and the former Commissioner of MLB was an incredible experience, which is the definition of bringing the classroom to life. I am so glad I was able to get into this very popular class and receive Honors credit. We capped off the class with a trip to Commissioner Selig’s Milwaukee office and to Miller Park. This was definitely a highlight of my Honors experience.

I wrote my English Honors Thesis this past year and ended up traveling to Canada to conduct that research on Anishinaabe traditional stories. It was a solo trip and really pushed me academically and personally.

I am very grateful for my Honors experience here at UW. It both challenged me and allowed to me to thrive during my 4 years here. I have gained valuable knowledge that I will carry with me in my future career and life experiences. My honors experience allowed me to get to know my professors at a deeper level than I would have in my large lectures. I have been able to form meaningful connections and gain a deeper understanding in my courses. In addition, the Honors advisors were instrumental in helping me find my path. They were always eager to help and offer resources.

I had such a great experience working on my senior honors thesis! I challenged myself by working with a J-School professor I had always wanted to take a class with, and was able to curate my own project based on my interests. By analyzing some of my favorite protest novels, I have been identifying the trajectory and characteristics of narrative in social justice movements — a topic I wouldn’t have been able to study in-depth otherwise.

By completing Honors in the major I was able to dig deeper into course materials and further reflect on my learning.

The ability to do an honors thesis was incredible!

The honors college connected me with amazing, driven people that became my best friends. It challenged me and made me into a better student, person and leader. I am so thankful for the resources and connections it brought me.

I always remember tricking other honors students into climbing trees with me at picnics and gatherings. Many fun times, many fun trees.

I thoroughly enjoyed the honors classes I took at UW-Madison because of the close relationships I established with distinguished professors. I was also able to expand my leadership capacities beyond the classroom through my position as the activities chair for the Honors Student Organization.

Between the people, experiences, and resources, joining the University of Wisconsin and the Honors program was without a doubt one of the best decisions of my life. My experience of taking honors classes is unparalleled. They felt like an infusion of fresh ideas and perspectives. As graduating senior reflecting back on this whole experience and remembering certain more challenging classes, I am left with a bittersweet feeling. From advisors who go above and beyond to help you to professors that want you to succeed, this program has allowed me to make the most out of my college experience and excel at life.

Working for the Honors Program, I was provided a family of incredible people – students, faculty, advisors and administrators. I will never forget the laughs and memories we shared, and could not imagine my time as an undergraduate without them!

The Honors experience gave me a unique opportunity to engage more closely with professors and think more critically about my courses. I am very grateful that I had the chance to get such individualized attention and feedback throughout my education. A particular highlight was a Spanish course that was only the professor, two other students, and myself. I never thought I would get that chance at a huge university.

Getting to write one of my longest honors-optional project papers on the social psychology of Kendrick Lamar.

Finally completing my Honors Thesis was an incredible moment.

Researching and writing a senior honors thesis this year was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I’ve had at UW.

The research that I have conducted as a part of my senior thesis has allowed me to follow my curiosity and dig deep into a greater understanding of atmospheric sciences, leaving me with a well-rounded understanding of my major and a greater appreciation for the work it takes to understand atmospheric phenomena.

The honors experience has allowed me to learn from and work with world-class faculty. I am appreciative of the knowledge I have gained and look forward to taking what I have learned into my future.

My Honors experience allowed me to cultivate deeper relationships with professors-Honors, and non-Honors! The Honors Program made me more comfortable reaching out and interacting with professors which has been invaluable.

My honors courses have been a great way to experience small class sizes with distinguished instructors within a large university.

Some of my favorite classes were Honors seminars and Honors optional classes. They provided a smaller academic experience that allowed students to connect with professors and the class material on a deeper level. I am so happy I had the Honors Program as part of my undergraduate career at UW!

The honors only classes have always been some of my favorite courses. I have always felt that these were where I gained the greatest depth of knowledge and have forced me to think critically and on a more in-depth level. Additionally, I met one of my best friends in an honors only class first semester of freshman year. I am always grateful that the honors program allowed my friends and I to meet and ultimately helped shape my college experience.

My Honors experience has offered me a deeper and more comprehensive education and experience. It has not only allowed me to research topics that I would not have otherwise been able to study and to better get to know professors but also introduce me to other driven undergraduates. The Honors College, in total, has provided me richer and more intimate experience at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

The L&S Honors program pushed me to appreciate breadth in my education. As a member of this program, I took courses on obscure topics and gained unique perspectives on the world surrounding me.

I remember running my first batch of experiments on the CHTC computing cluster. The thrill of launch a large scale computing job, and getting back huge batches of results, being able to analyze them and relaying the results back to my mentor was really exciting.

I loved being able to take large lecture classes and debrief about the material with a more intimate group in an honors section. This style of learning really helped me not only learn the content of my classes, but let me engage with the material in a way many others don’t get the opportunity to.

I enjoyed the smaller classes that were discussion based. I had classes with some of the same people throughout my college years and it was nice to see a familiar face from time to time.

I’m still surprised I was able to pass honors science classes.

Because of the Honors program, I was able to participate in the Welton summer apprenticeship, where I met a great group of friends that plays ping pong and Super Smash Bros together.

I most enjoyed being creative through my honors projects for classes. I definitely feel that I’ve been able to develop a more in-depth understanding of course concepts through these projects.

Honors gave me the opportunity to take classes and meet professors I wouldn’t have otherwise. That was great.

My undergraduate experience would have been drastically different without the L&S Honors program. I particularly want to thank David Danaher and Marwa Shalaby for teaching extraordinary Honors-only courses. Their courses provided me with the space to question my own beliefs, develop a stronger understanding of the world, and push my mind to the limit. I will be attending UW-La Crosse as a member of their Doctor of Physical Therapy class of 2024, and hope to eventually become a bilingual, culturally competent, actively anti-racist physical therapist. Participating in the Honors Program here at UW-Madison has been a crucial step of my journey.

The best part of my Honors experience was having the opportunity to develop personal relationships with professors. It was so great to have Honors only small group discussions with the professor after huge lectures. During these discussions, I learned to appreciate the subject matter and develop relationships with professors and my talented peers more than I would have without Honors. I feel so grateful to have been a part of this community and want to thank the Honors advisors especially who work so hard to help students like me.

I actually met my college best friend through the Honors Program! She and I were sitting at SOAR together trying to figure out classes for freshman year and I remember we were so nervous and excited about what was to come. Little did I know she would be my best friend all through college! The Honors Program brought me people that are willing to go the extra mile with me while having a blast along the way 🙂 Thanks L&S Honors for all the advising, ice cream socials, and friends!!

In my freshman year I took a philosophy seminar on a whim because it was an honors-only class. It turned out that I love philosophy and so it ended up becoming my second major. Further philosophy classes with honors sections, honors projects, and so on, have profoundly shaped my undergraduate intellectual journey for the better.

Getting to know instructors better during special honors sections.

Being an Honors student allowed me to meet and interact with so many amazing people. All of my Honors classes were lead by amazing professors and the Honors discussion sections were chances for me to meet classmates and peers that shared the same interests as me. Some of my best friends are people I met in Honors classes! Without these opportunities, I definitely would not have had the chance to experience so many different perspectives and personalities.

My favorite Honors experience was taking the Honors discussion component of child development psychology my freshman year with Dr. Seth Pollack. His passion for his research and teaching of how to analyze empirical articles was foundational to my ability to grow throughout college as a scholar and researcher in the fields of psychology and educational psychology.

My experience at UW-Madison was greatly impacted by my decision to pursue an Honors degree. After deciding to study abroad in Senegal for both semesters of my junior year, the Honors program allowed me to continue to cultivate my academic interests in the politics of Senegal. Writing a Senior Honors Thesis covering this topic was one of the most difficult tasks I have ever taken on but truly one of the most rewarding.

The Honors program had incredibly helpful advisors, and I was exposed to great classes I wouldn’t otherwise have been pushed to take.

The L&S Honors Program has provided a number of unique opportunities for me over the past four years. Not only have I received additional experiences in my courses, but I also feel that I’ve made lasting connections with many of my professors. One of my favorite Honors experiences was the Honors Banquette at the Pyle Center. I was lucky enough to return to this event as a Senior to represent the Biocore Program to inform prospective students about this honors biology certificate as well as other pre-medical coursework. Overall, I’m grateful for all of the additional resources and guidance provided by the L&S Honors Program which have helped me tremendously throughout my undergraduate career.

I began my Honors experience in my sophomore year in college with Biocore. The decision to do Biocore was one of the best that I made during college. I met so many amazing people through this experience including some of my best friends in college. Despite the challenges of Biocore, I was able to grow as an individual and as a scientist. I will never forget this experience or the amazing instructors I have met.

Being in honors classes challenged me academically. I was pleasantly surprised with the extent of my achievements.

My favorite experience as an honors student was completing my senior thesis. This project encapsulated my undergraduate career and is one of my proudest achievements!

I appreciate my Honors experience as it was able to open the doors to fun academic experiences. More than receiving honors “credit” for courses like Slavic Linguistics or doing a fermentation project for Ethnobotany, it allowed for greater exploration of narrow and fascinating topics.

I have always appreciated the willingness of honors professors to ensure that students are engaging with the material and connecting with students on an individual basis. I am proud to be a L&S Honors graduate!

Joining the Honors program was one of the best decisions I made during my time at UW-Madison because it allowed me to go above and beyond in a wide variety of disciplines. While I am an English major, the Honors courses I took in the sciences were some of my favorites and I developed a passion for sustainability because of them. My Honors experience has made me a better thinker and a more rounded individual who is able to look at a problem from multiple perspectives.

It was a special experience for me because it was my first time to complete a research project on my own. It also happened in a special condition due to the coronavirus, but it was still a great and meaningful time.

When turning back to the summer that I started to research with Prof. Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau and Prof. Andrea Arpaci-Dusseau, the moment that I would appreciate most would be at the end of our weekly discussion, Remzi always asked me, “You are doing great, so what’s next?” Remzi seldom directly told me what to do but instead provided feedbacks after I developed my thoughts first. I am grateful that I could do the project in such an independent but supported way, and it made me realize I was developing the idea rather than simply implementing it.

My time at UW-Madison was filled with memories I will cherish forever. From the passionate students to the charismatic and caring professors, to the fascinating classes, every second helped me grow both as a student and as a person. The memory that expresses these sentiments most was from my Psychology 513 course about Hormones, Brains, and Behavior. As a requirement of the class, we had to create a presentation synthesizing three research papers relating to a topic about hormones. Although we had to switch to an online distance learning format due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, all of the presentations were amazing and inspired vigorous discussions. Passion for the chosen subject was exuded by each and every presentation, perfectly encapsulating the honors experience of a vivid learning environment filled with students from various expertise and backgrounds, creating a diverse and stunning landscape of knowledge.

I was given the opportunity to receive Welton Apprentice summer scholarship. We went together to a house outside of Madison to present our summer achievements. That was a great experience.