Tag: #LifeInHonors

October at a Glance: A Dynamic Month of Exploration and Engagement

By: Salma Mardi

The Honors Program at Roosevelt University had a thriving October, marked by an array of engaging events, intellectual explorations, and significant opportunities for academic and personal growth.

One of the month’s standout moments was the impactful participation in the “American Dream Reconsidered Conference.” This thought-provoking event served as a pivotal platform for students to deeply engage in conversations encompassing pivotal aspects of the American Dream. Within this academic arena, students delved into profound discussions regarding social justice, historical memory, and the societal reformation of norms. This academic exchange was far more than a mere conference; it was an immersive exploration into the complexities of our society. It highlighted the program’s unwavering commitment to fostering critical thought, societal awareness, and active participation in shaping the discourse on pertinent societal issues. This intellectual engagement empowered students to not only understand but also actively contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the American Dream, emphasizing the program’s dedication to holistic education and social responsibility.

The Honors Exchange meticulously organized an enlightening field trip to the National Holocaust Museum in Skokie. This trip was not just an educational excursion; it was a deeply emotional and poignant experience that carried profound significance. The visit offered a somber and thought-provoking exploration of the theme of remembrance and responsibility, leaving a lasting impact on all participants. It wasn’t just a mere visit but a journey that emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory and acknowledging the weight of our collective past. This solemn and reflective journey resonated deeply with the Honors Program’s ethos, emphasizing the values of social consciousness and fostering a profound understanding of historical narratives and their significance in shaping the present and future. The experience provided a space for students to not only learn from history but also to emotionally connect with the gravity of the past, aligning with the program’s dedication to creating well-rounded and socially aware individuals.

Furthermore, the Model Illinois Government (MIG) commenced an immersive journey with its first meeting and a stimulating session hosted at Prairie State College. These interactive sessions provided students with a firsthand experience in assuming the roles of legislators, journalists, and lobbyists. They actively engaged in practical simulations that mirrored the intricate workings of governance and legislation. Participants not only observed but actively participated in the decision-making processes that govern legislative actions, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in the functioning of government. This hands-on experience allowed students to practically engage with the complexities of policy-making, reinforcing the importance of real-world experience in understanding the nuances of governance.

Picture of MIG’s first stimulation session
MIG at their first stimulation session of the year!

This invaluable exposure to the mechanics of government aligns with the Honors Program’s emphasis on offering a comprehensive education that transcends textbook learning, ensuring students grasp the intricacies of governance through practical engagement and participation.

October was a month teeming with a diverse and rich array of opportunities, intellectual engagements, and practical experiences that exemplified the Honors Program’s dedication to offering an enriching and nurturing environment. These events were carefully curated to facilitate not only academic growth but also social and personal development. Each activity, from the thought-provoking discussions to the hands-on experiences, resonated with the program’s commitment to fostering a well-rounded education that extends beyond the confines of the classroom. The Honors Program’s commitment to providing such a well-rounded experience ensures students have the space and support to excel not just academically but also in their personal growth, promoting a culture of exploration, critical thinking, and social responsibility. As the semester progresses, the Honors Program continues to flourish, acting as a dynamic platform that cultivates an enriching space for students to not just learn but to thrive and grow. It remains steadfast in its dedication to offering an environment that encourages holistic development, enabling students to navigate an academic journey filled with enriching experiences and empowering opportunities.

Honors Exchange: On (Not) Forgetting the Holocaust

By: Salma Mardi

At Roosevelt University’s Honors Program, the journey of knowledge transcends ordinary boundaries through the Honors Exchange. This exceptional co-curricular initiative offers honors members a comprehensive array of experiences, blending intellectual inquiry, practical learning, community involvement, and social connection. It’s a holistic educational approach that spans disciplines, genres, and geographical borders, facilitating deep connections with faculty, partners, and the local community.

This academic year, the overarching theme of the Honors Exchange is “Keeping Track.” This theme prompts us to delve into critical narratives that urge reflection on history, memory, and the need to preserve and learn from past experiences. The entire Honors Exchange for this year is aptly named “On (not) forgetting: How we keep track of the Holocaust,” capturing the essence of the theme and its profound implications.

We began this year’s Honors Exchange with a panel exploring the Jewish Diaspora around the world. During the discussion, each panelist shared their unique experiences and personal connections to the Jewish Diaspora, offering profound insights into the topic. Director of the Honors Program, Sarah Maria Rutter, added to the discourse by introducing the concept of sacred reading—engaging with text with rigor and trust. She encouraged students to collect “sparklets” during the panel discussion, capturing beautiful and impactful moments shared by the speakers. As the panel concluded, students eagerly shared their collected “sparklets,” fostering a sense of shared understanding and appreciation for the valuable insights gained.

Picture of panel members: Professor Lynn Weiner, Professor Susan Weininger, Professor Marjorie Jolles, Professor Rifat Gorener, Ken Granle, Director for International Students & Global Scholar Services
Our wonderful panelists: Lynn Weiner, Susan Weininger, Ken Granle, Rifat Gorener, Marjorie Jolles (in order from left to right).

Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to our esteemed panelists: Professor Lynn Weiner, Professor Susan Weininger, Professor and Executive Director of the Honors Program Marjorie Jolles, Professor Rifat Gorener, and Ken Granle, Director for International Students & Global Scholar Services. Their valuable insights and perspectives enriched the discussion, setting the tone for a thought-provoking academic journey ahead.

Their contributions have ignited a deeper interest in our theme, reminding us of the significance of historical memory and the need to preserve it. We look forward to building upon this enlightening discussion as we continue our exploration of “Keeping Track” throughout the academic year. Thank you to our panelists for their valuable time and dedication to our academic community.

Looking ahead, anticipation is high for the upcoming field trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, IL. This visit promises to be an educational and emotional journey, deepening our understanding of history and reinforcing the importance of “keeping track” of significant events for future generations. The field trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is not merely a visit; it’s an immersive experience that brings history to life. By witnessing firsthand the exhibits and stories, students will gain a deeper understanding of the Holocaust’s impact, emphasizing the critical need to remember and learn from history. This journey will not only enrich their academic knowledge but also cultivate empathy, tolerance, and a commitment to prevent such atrocities in the future.

Unveiling the Honors Journey: From Social Hour to First Year Triumphs

By: Salma Mardi

Welcome back, Honors Program family! The academic year has kicked off with a resounding success, all thanks to the dynamic leadership of Director Sarah Maria Rutter and Executive Director Marjorie Jolles. Additionally, we welcomed Kenley Johnston as the new Assistant Director of the Honors Program, adding to the excitement of the new beginnings. This event provided an opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and extend a warm welcome to our newest Honors Program members.

The Honors Back-to-School Social Hour was a captivating night brimming with animated discussions and illuminating exchanges regarding the profound influence of the Honors Program on our lives thus far and its ongoing role in steering us towards personal and academic growth and triumph. It was a delightful occasion where friendships were rekindled, and new bonds were formed, setting the tone for an exciting year ahead. 

During this event, we had the privilege to learn about various programs that can enrich our academic experience at Roosevelt University. One such program is the Model Illinois Government (MIG), a structured legislative simulation facilitated by the esteemed Paralegal Studies professor, Carrie Lausen. MIG allows students to step into the roles of legislators, journalists, and lobbyists while critically reviewing legislation, enhancing their understanding of the political process.We also had the chance to discover the McNair Scholars Program, an initiative dedicated to empowering promising undergraduates, particularly those identifying as first-generation or underrepresented, to pursue and successfully complete research-based advanced degrees. This program opens doors to a world of possibilities and academic achievements.

Furthermore, we gained insights into the vast array of student support and success services offered at Roosevelt University. From SSS STEM, which provides comprehensive support to STEM students, to Career Services, offering valuable resources like internship and job fairs and personalized career counseling, there’s an abundance of opportunities for our growth and development.

Picture of the Social hour event
Students and faculty at the Back-to-School Social Hour!

An exciting event on the horizon for RU students is the Fall Internship and Job Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd, from 1-4 PM. This event promises a fantastic opportunity to connect with over 40 prospective employers seeking to fill internship and job positions. The fair will take place on floors 3 and 4 of the Wabash building, providing a conducive space for fruitful conversations and potential career prospects.Not only can you explore a multitude of employment opportunities, but you’ll also have the chance to avail professional headshots—a valuable asset when presenting yourself to potential employers.

At the heart of our academic journey lies the indispensable First Year Success (Honors) course, meticulously curated to ease our assimilation into the university learning community and the RU Honors Program. This dynamic course prioritizes not only enhancing academic prowess but also nurturing self-awareness and active educational engagement. By focusing on these fundamental skills, it empowers us to excel in the Honors Program, setting a solid foundation for lifelong success and meaningful contributions in our chosen fields. Through this course, we gain valuable insights and strategies to navigate our academic path with confidence, making it an essential stepping stone in our educational adventure. The interactive nature of the course encourages meaningful peer interactions, creating a supportive network vital for success in a new academic setting. As the semester progresses, we’re witnessing students’ confidence grow as they actively engage with the course content, setting a promising trajectory for their academic achievements. The success of the First Year Success (Honors) course this semester underscores its significance in enhancing academic performance and fostering a sense of belonging among our students.

One of the undeniable highlights of the evening of the Honors Back-to-School Social Hour was the exceptional social atmosphere. The enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming school year were palpable. Conversations flowed effortlessly, reflecting the genuine eagerness to embrace the academic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we move forward into this school year, let’s take full advantage of the plethora of services and resources available to us, shaping our academic journey into one filled with success and fulfillment. The Honors Back-to-School Social Hour was just the beginning, setting the stage for an extraordinary year of growth, learning, and achievement. Here’s to a phenomenal year at Roosevelt University!

 

 

The Honors Exchange is On-Foot in Chicago

By: Onteya Zachary

On Friday, February 24th, Honors Exchange participants reunited for the second time since the start of the Spring semester at the Chicago Architecture Center. After our first time reconvening on Friday January 27th for a tour of the Auditorium building and theater led by university historian Dr. Lynn Weiner, we hadn’t had much time as a class to discuss what we experienced in our walkabouts over Winter break. The walkabout project was an asynchronous activity over the months of November and December (and into January) where we were enabled to continue our conversation about the design of neighborhoods by focusing on neighborhoods we’d be touring later in the semester known as Chicago’s “first five” (Bronzeville, Chinatown, Greektown/West Loop, Little Italy, and Pilsen).

Students were randomly assigned to a neighborhood and each group roughly consisted of three members. Madeline LaFrambois (freshman), Emily Sanchez (junior), and Denise Merodio Gomez (sophomore) were assigned to the Bronzeville community. As a group, they ventured for well over two hours exploring the area and taking note of not only building design, but how narrative and community identity were communicated through statues of notorious musical figures relevant to the history of Bronzeville such as performers who visited the area. From Etta Moton to Nat King Cole, African American musicians and music such as jazz, blues, or gospel music were greatly informed by the migration of Southern black musicians. Most notable from their presentation was their coverage of the Defender building. Located on King Drive, the Chicago Defender was one of the most successful African-American newspapers of great influence during the Great Migration.

Bronzeville group members get crafty at the Chicago Public Library in the neighborhood!
Bronzeville group read plaques pertinent to the history of the neighborhood on the Forum.

The Chicago Defender was founded in 1905 by Robert S. Abbot. Even though it was only a kitchen table publication, it grew to be the most powerful African-American newspaper in America. What is so important about this newspaper is that Abbot wrote about the rights of African-Americans, to protest on discrimination, being able to have a voice about political and personal action, hopes of the blacks. Bronzeville was a black metropolis and one of the nation’s most significant landmarks in African American urban history. The Bronzeville group benefited from experiencing one of Chicago’s first neighborhoods as it stands today. More importantly, they collaborated in a project where they got to better understand how planned (and unplanned) environments shape experience, identity, access, assets, and resources, barriers and boundaries, possibility, impossibility, and more. The findings, synthesis, and reflection they presented the other exchange participants with while presenting their project on Bronzeville was stimulating.

The Bronzeville group encounters the historic Defender building along their route in the neighborhood.

Each group presented for roughly an hour of the exchange before we put on our coats and headed outside for an on-foot adventure. We began outside of the Chicago Architecture Center observing the land on which the Apple store (401 Michigan Ave.) sat on. Angela Esposito, the Director of Education and Experience at Chicago Architecture Center, contextualized this land as the space in which Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable’s first trading post sat. Moreover, Angela unsilenced DuSable’s wife, Kittihawa, in the legacy of his success by informing us that she played a crucial role in his success with developing a prosperous trading post on native land considering she aided in translation between the tribes and DuSable. Following that, we moseyed along as a group to a building wrapping its great size around the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive and overlooking the cities; the building was none other than the historic London House. 

Honors Exchange participants stop outside of the London House building as the first stop on their on-foot tour!
Honors Exchange participants stop outside of the London House building as the first stop on their on-foot tour!

Here, we examined some of the notable features present in the architecture of the building which was produced during a booming period of industrialization in the 1920s with the arrival of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Designed by Alfred S. Alschuler, the London House is representative of Beaux-Arts aesthetics with its classical inclusion of Corinthian columns and engravings of Roman figures in the stone facade. Exchange participants gazed at the architecture and ornate design in awe. Next, we walked to the end of the block and stopped in front of the Christian Science Reading Room and our attention was directed to two beautifully outstanding “corn-cobs” or Marina City. Marina City, although we could not venture inside, was a fantastic sight for us all even at such a distance away from the actual building. Angela informed us that the building was designed with the intention of creating affordable housing and the idea of concentrating all the essentials one would need to live (i.e. a grocery store, a car, a gym- to name a few) for those that would live in the city. It was for a time, the tallest residential building in the world and the tallest building made out of reinforced concrete. 

Angela Esposito informs the Roosevelt University Honors Exchange participants about the history and architecture of Marina City.
Angela Esposito informs the Roosevelt University Honors Exchange participants about the history and architecture of Marina City.

One of our last stops on the walking tour was to and inside of the Carbide and Carbon building. It was built by the sons of prominent Chicago architect Daniel Burnham’s, Hubert Burnham and Daniel Burnham Jr.. The exterior of the building is covered in polished black granite, and the tower is dark green terra cotta with gold leaf accents. The use of stylized representations of leaves on the building’s exterior was an intentional reference by the architects to the prehistoric origins of subterranean carbon deposits in the decay of ancient plants. When we walked in, the lobby featured a black Belgian Marble and Art Deco bronze work trim. In addition, many of the designs were informed– as we learned from Angela– by the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in Egypt. Thus, several references to Egyptian pictorials found in the tomb of King Tut such as lotuses were present in the architectural design. 

Honors Exchange participants gaze in awe at the Carbide and Carbon building!
Honors Exchange participants gaze in awe at the Carbide and Carbon building!

Angela also informed us of a popular myth that the Burnham Brothers supposedly designed the building to resemble a dark green champagne bottle with gold foil at the top. After spending a few more moments admiring the building and reflecting on our time together we all departed. For a more visual understanding of our journey and on-foot adventure, feel free to poke around this Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Ew4jdhRMih7i4te5sFQYW-1D8FaIwnA&usp=sharing

We look forward to our time together on March 31st, 2023 where we will board a double decker bus and tour the “first five” neighborhoods of Chicago as a collective!