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 😀

The honors discussion section of Prof. Laura McClure was amazing and eye-opening.

I had an incredible experience as an Honors student. My favorite memory was getting to connect to my Honors professors in an Integrated Liberal Arts course. We got to dive into history and share how it impacts us to this day. I felt very close to my professor and I was honored to have that relationship given the size of the school.

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.

My time in the Honors College at UW-Madison prepared me to think critically in a variety of roles. It shaped the way that I engage with the world, and laid the Wisconsin Idea, the principle that education should impact a student’s life outside the classroom, as the foundation for my learning. Because of the Honors College, I have a deeper appreciation for the ways in which I am responsible for engaging with my community.

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!

Being a part of Honors has been a great way for me to go beyond my major and learn about the diverse educational options that UW-Madison offers. It was a great way to get to know your professors better and dive deeper into classes by completing the end-of-semester honors projects. My Honors experience has taught me that I want to continue to be a lifelong learner outside of college.

Completing Honors in the Major at the UW allowed me to conduct five weeks of hands-on research on oceanic economies in Norway, and launched the next stage of my career (a PhD in Archaeology). Thanks again for making these incredible experiences possible!

Obtaining an Honors Degree in the Liberal Arts has complemented my undergraduate education by providing enriching academic opportunities that have increased the breadth of my education and deepened my intellectual engagement in many classes. For example, when taking a Cellular Biology course, I completed an additional Honors project on the topic of cancer. After learning about the cell biology of cancer in class, I researched the history of cancer treatment and examined the social implications of cancer. This was a meaningful project for me as it compelled me to make interdisciplinary connections between science and society, a skill that will benefit me in my future endeavors. The Honors program has cultivated my love of education and I hope to progress this love into habits that promote lifelong learning.

The UW Madison L&S Honors Program has allowed me to explore my academic interests across a multitude of disciplines, enriching my college experience as a whole. I am grateful for the wonderful professors and fellow students who I have been able to learn from during my time at Wisconsin.

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.

Being in the honors program allowed me to engage in research at the undergraduate level and created the foundation for me to value constant innovation to provide evidence-based practice on a clinical level as a Speech-Language Pathologist.

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.

I had a really great opportunity to take many classes I may not have initially been interested in for the honors requirement but ended up learning so much in diverse disciplines.

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.

One of my favorite Honors memories was the Welton Research Apprentice retreat to Spring Green. It was a great opportunity to connect with other Honors students and share our summer research projects with each other. The apprenticeship allowed me to research a topic in my field that I was interested in, advanced my studies and gave me hands-on experience for my future career.

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 liked the challenge my honors classes gave me, and it was refreshing to be around other students who actually appreciated that challenge too, and found the topics at hand as interesting as I did.

Being a part of the Honors program has allowed me to take a variety of interesting courses that I otherwise would not have had access to, and has pushed me to explore different topics for my Honors projects.

I made some good friends in the Honors program and it gave me some awesome opportunities to do research and explore different academic areas. I’m grateful to have been a part of it and for all the hard work people put in to making the Honors Program so great!

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.

Getting wonderful advice from kind advisors in the beautiful Washburn Observatory was the most valuable part of my Honors experience. I loved having the opportunity to see the same few advisors multiple times, and to have a relatively easy time scheduling an appointment. I also love the library inside the observatory and the views from outside and from the telescope!

Some of my favorite honors memories came from being able to see and listen to the authors of the Go Big Read books! It was really cool to hear their insight and their thoughts about things along with their inspirations for the book!

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.

The Honors Program has been a huge part of my UW experience. This program has allowed me to discover my passions, explore my strengths, and reach goals I have always dreamt about. I have excelled as a student and as an individual through the Honors program and am grateful to be graduating with this amazing accomplishment. Thank you to all the faculty and staff of the Honors program for such a fulfilling experience!

I absolutely loved my Honors experience. Being able to get to know my professors and my peers better due to having small, discussion-based classes was amazing. I met some of my best friends because of the Honors program!

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 feel so lucky to have been able to conduct my undergraduate research and complete my Senior Honors Thesis in such a supportive environment with incredibly talented peers. It was such an exciting feeling to be surrounded by other students who shared the same passion for research!

I’ve loved being a part of the Honors College at UW-Madison. As a freshman, Honors-level courses helped me find a community on campus, and Honors advisors helped me adapt to UW-Madison and make the most of my college career.

I really enjoyed my small honors-only classes because we were able to really discuss the issues and dig deeper into the material.

I loved completing my senior honors thesis with Professor Graves this year – it was a beautiful capstone for all that I’ve learned about researching, analyzing, synthesizing, and writing throughout my years in the Wisconsin School of Journalism and Mass Communication! Proud to be a badger for life.

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

Writing a Senior Honors Thesis was one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. Completing a self-directed project allowed me to exercise my creativity and express my curiosity in new and exciting ways.

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.

I’m so happy I decided to pursue an honor degree! Having the extra small group time with the professors helped me learn the material more deeply and create connections in a low-stress environment. I would definitely recommend all undergrads to apply for this program!

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.

I could honestly list a million things here–I’ve had so many good memories in Honors. I will always remember my first “Wednesday at Washburn” with the Honors Student Organization (HSO), where I got to eat tasty food and first met some good friends as well. One of my other favorite memories is the retreat/presentation day with fellow Welton scholars, which was really fun. Thanks, everyone for a fantastic four years. 🙂

My honors classes were a special experience where I could take a break from large lectures and learn in much more personalized smaller class sizes with similarly driven students. The additional work requirements allowed me to challenge myself so that I became more developed as a student by completing them.

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.

Because of the Honors program, as a senior studying Communication Arts, Jillian was given the tools and experiences that helped her realize her true passions in life. After over three years of studying Radio, Film, and Television, Jillian took an Honors Gender, Woman, & Studies class that focused on women, their bodies, and their health. Through this course Jillian finally recognized that birth justice and supporting, as well as advocating for birthing people is where her true passions lie. Upon graduation Jillian plans to become certified as a full-spectrum doula, hoping to continually help all birthing people in their experiences while educating her peers and the general population about the importance of birth justice.

The L&S Honors Program has been such an amazing part of my experience at UW-Madison! The advising, courses, research opportunities, faculty, and students all have enriched my time here significantly. Honors seminars continue to make me think about the university’s connection to the outside world and Wisconsin Idea every day. I can’t imagine my UW-Madison experience without Honors!

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 remember coming to study at the Washburn Observatory as a freshman and immediately feeling welcomed by my peers and advisors who made me feel like Washburn could be my home away from home!

I have made great friends in honors courses, and I have enjoyed doing senior thesis projects.

I’m so thankful for everything the Honors program taught me and exposed me to! I would like to give special thanks to Janet Batzli, Michelle Harris, the whole Biocore teaching team – they challenged me to become a more curious scientist and learner.

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.

Earning my Honors Biocore Certificate was the most rewarding yet challenging accomplishment of mine at UW-Madison. Between the amazing professors and working alongside students that were as eager to learn as I was, Biocore made my honors experience enjoyable.

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.

Being part of the Honors program at UW-Madison not only brought me closer to my fellow Honors students, but it also pushed me out of my comfort zone to make better relationships with my professors and to take courses that I wouldn’t normally have taken. My two favorite memories are participating in the Welton retreat and the Senior Honors Thesis Symposium. Both of these experiences allowed me to learn about research projects that students from all different majors were completing. It allowed me to introduce my passion for Physics and Astronomy to students who had no knowledge of these topics. This really pushed me to explain my field of interest in great detail, which ultimately allowed me to expand my own knowledge within my field. I was also exposed to so many other fields of interest that my peers researched which broadened my knowledge within the humanities, the medical field, the arts, and so much more.

Although writing a Senior Honors Thesis was a bit daunting and harrowing at the start, I thoroughly enjoyed the research I did and value the relationships forged from the process! Both of the advisors I had were incredible and I learned a lot from both of them. I would recommend exploring a thesis if you’re interested!

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.

My favorite memory during my Honors experience was the Welton research retreat at the end of summer. It was absolutely amazing to hear all of my peers’ research and get to present my own!

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.

Being involved with the Honors program gave me a starting point to meet lots of like-minded, passionate people through fun events. I met my closest friend at the first Honors event my freshman year and I am so thankful for the experiences this program has brought me!

I am very grateful for my time at the Honors program. Honors undoubtedly enriched my academic experience by affording me access to smaller classes and helping me form connections with professors who then became my mentors. I also met some of my best friends in college through the Honors FIG. All in all, the Honors program was an integral part of my Wisconsin Experience!

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 first Honors picnic I attended as a freshman was really fun and a great way to hang out with some people from class and meet other new Honors students.

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.

Pursuing my degree with Honors has been one of the best decisions in my undergraduate career. I got to know my professors a lot more closely and was able to apply the knowledge I was learning in class to unique projects in the real world.

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.

I spent two months and probably over 100 hours trying to figure out two math/coding problems that came up while working on my senior thesis in Economics. I wasn’t confident that I could solve them, and I really could have stopped at any time because I had enough material to write my thesis, but I kept working. When I finally figured them out I was smiling the whole day. I learned more from trying to figure out all the problems and issues I ran into working on my thesis than from any class I took at UW. I guess I’ve learned that I have the patience to smash my head against a wall for two months until I finally break through it. And also that it’s actually worth it when you finally breakthrough.

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.

Learning materials with higher levels, interaction with professors more.

My experience with honors math (375/376) provided a very useful mathematical experience that I used in many of my classes.

I love the first summer research experience in 2019 a lot, which is sponsored by Welton Summer Apprenticeship.

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.

The Honors Program at UW-Madison helped me to get the most out of my undergraduate education! Honors helped me form connections with professors and encouraged me to perform at the best of my abilities.

Throughout my undergraduate career, my honors classes have remained to be some of my favorite and most beneficial classes. I have had the honor of meeting and interacting with incredible peers, but also have the chance to work with Professors and faculty that adored their subjects. My honors classes were always smaller and provided so much more insight into the world around me.

Through the Honors Program, I was encouraged to participate in a research lab. I found the Landick lab and found my home on campus. My research lab provided me a group of long-term mentors for my time at UW all of whom I am beyond grateful for. Through this experience and the many others that the Honors Program provided, I learned how to struggle, learn and grow. I am excited to take the skills that I have gained as a scientist and take on the next stage of my life!

My Honors experience allowed me to pursue my academic interests in a deeper, meaningful way. The advising and support the Honors program provides creates a unique opportunity to build community with other students exploring their interests, and the wide range of course options allows students to design a pathway to success around the things about which they’re passionate.

I really enjoyed the opportunity that my honors degree gave me to learn about topics outside my English and Communication Arts courses, like weather and astronomy.

While in the honors program, I was able to meet so many wonderful individuals who had the same passion for learning and curiosity as I do. I was able to challenge myself with both the material and the way I apply what I’ve learned.

My favorite part of the Honors experience was being able to take in-depth classes across the board of the liberal arts. I loved having smaller classes, and the requirements encouraged me to branch out to departments that I would not have otherwise explored. I’m grateful for the breadth of knowledge I’ve gained, and the people I’ve met along the way!

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!

When looking back on my Honors experience after four years I feel very satisfied and proud of the academic experiences it pushed me engage in. The course requirements for comprehensive honors pushed me to take smaller and more intensive courses not only in my major but also in a wide variety of courses in the College of Letters & Sciences which truly helped me develop and grow my skills as an interdisciplinary student. Taking stock of these opportunities to enrich my academic experience makes me deeply appreciate the significant return I received from committing to being a L&S Honors student for my four years 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 added challenge of taking on the Honors curriculum has allowed me to push myself further in my time as an undergraduate and allowed me to succeed in ways I didn’t know I could and put me ahead for the future.

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.

One of my favorite parts about being in the Honors program is that you become very close with other Honors students as you share many classes and experiences with them throughout the year!

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 first honors course experience was being mistakenly placed into the honors section of Social Psychology with Professor Harackiewicz! I loved the honors experience so much, I soon applied to the full honors program, and was humbly accepted.

My honors experience allowed me to acquire more thorough and rigorous knowledge on the subjects that I enjoy the most. Thus, becoming a better professional.

The honors program has allowed me to take a whole host of classes that I probably wouldn’t have taken otherwise; many in subjects that I never knew interested me. Working directly with professors also made a lot of the material that much more enjoyable.

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 thoroughly enjoyed being able to work alongside my professors by being in the honors program. My favorite honors class was with Professor Mike Vanden Heuvel as we frequently went to the Chazen to look at art. Overall, the honors program was an invaluable experience that has allowed me to acquire skills I will use throughout my life and career.

My Honors experience has allowed me to take classes outside of the Biochemistry major that has shaped me into the person I am today. My honors classes challenged me to think both critically and creatively about many of the current social, economic, and scientific issues within our society today. Most importantly, I have been able to make meaningful connections with faculty that will last long after graduation.

My heart is filled with gratitude.

I am incredibly grateful to the Honors College for all the opportunities it has given me. From challenging me to pursue an advanced and diverse undergraduate curriculum to generously funding my thesis research, it is thanks in large part to the Honors College I have made the most of my four years here at UW-Madison. I want to particularly thank the Honors advisors for sitting through my countless study abroad questions and five DARS reports, and the sponsors of Wisconsin Speech and Debate, and of the undergraduate research grants for making my UW experience truly enjoyable!

The decision to write an Honors thesis was one of my most important in my time as an undergraduate. In addition to the fact that writing such an article is immensely rewarding, committing to finishing it proved very motivating for my productivity as a researcher.

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!!

My favorite Honors experience has been working as a Peer Advisor. It was so much fun to get to know the incoming Honors students and hear about their interests. I loved learning what they wanted to accomplish during their time at UW-Madison and in the Honors Program, and it felt so rewarding to help them get started on the path to achieve those goals.

You don’t realize that taking the hard route makes you who you are. Long nights in College Library procure thoughts of dropping honors, but after overcoming the challenges, I boast a spectrum of stress management, time management, and organizational skills only achieved through the continual push from the Honors program. What’s the fun in taking the easy way out?

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.

My honors experience was filled with many invaluable memories and knowledge that I will take with me for a lifetime. I have been able to foster incredible connections with professors I would not normally have interacted with on such a deep level because of Honors. It has supplemented and added to my education beyond measure, and I could not be happier to be a part of such an amazing experience during my undergraduate time here at UW-Madison.

Being an honors student at UW made me realize that economics is SUPER interesting and encourage me to pursue Ph.D. after graduating! Thank you for many opportunities, including honors classes and senior honors thesis.

Leading the Journal of Undergraduate International Studies as Editor-in-Chief.

The Honors experience offered me a community of scholars who influenced intellectual curiosity and encouraged purposeful action. The lessons I have learned over the past few years have pushed me far beyond the realms of the classroom. I am forever grateful for my team of academic advisors who motivated me to apply to law school, for the professors who challenged me with powerful lectures and literature, and for the many students who inspired me with their intelligence, grace, and kindness.

I enjoyed being able to take smaller classes throughout my four years as part of my Honors experience.

One of my favorite experiences in the Honors Program was attending the Welton Sophomore Summer Sophomore Research Apprenticeship retreat! I met some of my best friends there and learned so much about the wide variety of research taking place at UW. It was awesome being surrounded by people who were passionate about their work and using their findings to help others.

Being in the Honors Program really pushed me to excel in my studies and try my hardest in my classes. Also, since the classes are smaller than typical science lectures I was able to get to know the other honors students who were in my classes and form personal relationships with the professors.

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.

Honors green sheet projects allowed me to challenge myself and go further in my classes than I would have otherwise.

The honors program was one of the most meaningful aspects of my undergraduate education. From meeting in small group discussions with professors to completing honors assignments that allowed me to explore class content in creative and new ways, the honors program gave me opportunities to have an enriching and unique experience at UW-Madison. I am really grateful to all of the advisors and mentors in the program that supported me along the way, as well as the members who created a community that fostered growth and success for all. Thank you, L&S Honors Program!

I am truly grateful for all the experiences I was able to have during my four years at UW-Madison, notably from the opportunities provided by the Honors program, such as facilitating my involvement in research with a Summer Research Apprenticeship Grant, the engaging atmosphere of discussion sections with fellow Honors students, and the academic challenges that ultimately strengthened my work ethic.

I appreciate the opportunity of doing independent research offered by the Honors in the Major program!

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 met my best friend through the Honors program, and I’ll always remember going to Honors events with her throughout college!

The fall of my junior year primarily consisted of long days in the hospital, overwhelmed by feelings of fatigue and nausea. My outgoing and curious self struggled in adapting to this new and unknown lifestyle. A professor of mine picked up on this and extended herself, lending concern and compassion. She unconditionally offered kindness and comfort in a time of fear and isolation. Two months later I was diagnosed with cancer and immediately returned home. With our growth of distance came the growth of our connection. We grew to understand one another, often reflecting on the value of learning and the virtue of sharing. Our relationship only continues to grow as her zest for life and dedication to others steadily leads and passionately inspires my navigation of the world ahead.

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.

At Washburn Observatory, the honors program has a giant telescope showing me the beautiful galaxy; on the horizon, it’s an intricate compass leading me to the fascinating world of research.

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.

Through the Honors program, I had the opportunity to write an English Senior Thesis under the advising of Dr. Karen Britland. Through her thoughtful one-on-one guidance, Dr. Britland has helped me learn how to turn a formless thought into a cohesive thesis. I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn and work with her.

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.

Being a part of Honors allowed me to explore my interests while being in a smaller classroom atmosphere. By participating in this program, I was able to develop strong relationships with my professors and improve my work with their feedback.

The Honors Program allowed me to explore diverse academic interests outside of my Biology and Political Science majors, and the small class sizes offered me greater opportunities to form meaningful connections with peers and professors. My favorite memories of the Honors Program were the courses I took through the Biocore Honors Biology sequence which were truly transformative for my growth as a learner and student.

I truly enjoyed my honors experience here in Madison. Being in the honors program allowed to me take smaller classes and have more personalized interactions at such a large school. Most importantly, I loved being able to take deeper dives into subjects when taking elective or major classes for honors credit.

I will never forget taking part in the first-ever Honors FIG my freshman year and meeting some of my closest friends even to this day! Throughout my Honors Experience, I have met with amazing people and engaged in interdisciplinary work, and because of this, I have grown both as a scholar and a person!

Discussion sections with professors in Honors Only courses were valuable.

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.

Being in the L&S Honors Program truly shaped my experience at UW-Madison. I engaged in discussions with knowledgeable professors in the field of psychology and interacted with like-minded students in the classroom. Additionally, participating in research through grants provided by the Honors program as well as presenting my own research at Honors symposiums was an invaluable experience; These opportunities allowed me to fuel my passion for research in psychology and helped solidify my career path. I’m glad I decided to join the Honors program and very appreciative of my Honors experiences at UW-Madison.

I really cherish my Honors experience at UW-Madison. Not only did the Comprehensive Honors program give me the opportunity to conduct research projects related to my majors, but it also invited me to study topics beyond my major fields, such as anthropology, agronomy, and digital studies. It is through the Honors courses that I gained a broader perspective when thinking about world issues. I will keep challenging myself to expand my capacity, just as I learned and did in the honors classes!

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.