By Onteya Zachary
Edited by Denise Merodio Gomez and Salma Mardi
As Roosevelt University welcomed a cohort of nearly 1,100 students, forty of whom are also members of the Honors program, the beginning of the Fall semester was off to an exuberant start with a tinge of unexpected chaos. Students filed into the lobbies of the Wabash and Auditorium building with conversations about Summer and class schedules creating a thought-interrupting cacophony of sounds. The Roosevelt University Mobile app cracked under the pressure of hundreds of eager students ready to submit their daily health assessments. Long wait times for elevators became an ice-breaker in classes throughout the day. Despite the unexpected mayhem, I found myself enjoying the environment bustling through the familiar halls of the building as I greeted new and familiar faces on that first morning back. I was reinvigorated by time spent away from my love of education this Summer and was eager to return to my studies and the Roosevelt University Honors community.
On the first day of classes, the second class I attended was The Nature of Science. The Nature of Science is a biology course instructed by Dr. Kelsey Poulson-Ellestad; an associate professor of Biochemistry with an affinity for biology. She opened our time together by initially welcoming several of the freshman students to the Honors and Roosevelt community. Moreover, Dr. Poulson-Ellestad described her excitement at provoking Honors students to wonder about how we do science and examine how it’s changed. A particular emphasis was placed on the value of the critical analysis we, as a class, would collaboratively interact with and reflect on that address the interplay between science and society. Also, how we would examine the scientific process and other topics of interest to the class. Students displayed enthusiasm and participated in a way otherwise unfamiliar on notorious ‘syllabi’ days as we shared with each other our individual curiosities and relationship to science. Dr. Poulson-Ellestad explained she was most excited to see how students engage and connect with the material and take scientific approaches to their curiosity.
To add to the excitement, the Honors community hosted the Honors Back to School Social event. Graced by the elegance of the Sullivan room, students and faculty shared laughter over delicious mocktails and finger food. An environment so invigorated and refreshed it filled the room with collective happiness at the idea of our return together and with one another. Dr. Andrae Marak, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs at Roosevelt University, was a special guest speaker at the event. He inspired the community with his words about the core values of what makes the Honors community what it is and gifted the audience with a few dad jokes. Director of the Honors Program, Marjorie Jolles, also spoke and reiterated the excitement and gratitude of everyone to be back. Moreover, freshman Max Knight reflected on his time at the event saying,” It was cool getting to meet the other honor students and hearing about the different opportunities we have coming this year. It was also nice to meet Marjorie and Sarah Maria in person!”
Overall, the Fall semester at Roosevelt University has been a charged and energetic atmosphere. As exciting events have reconnected us and Honors students jump back into the action, we can’t wait to see what comes of the Fall semester.