Honors Program
Newsletter
Professor Spotlight: Kim Giachinna
Kim Giachinna recently joined the HP Faculty to teach
Art Appreciation this fall semester. This course explores
a wide range of visual arts: drawing, painting, ceramics,
sculpture, architecture, photography, and film. Kim
notes that ART. 110 students “will explore what makes
something a work of art and how we can appreciate any
work of art regardless of our personal taste.” This
course will include touring the Flint Institute of Arts and
guest speakers such as local Art Therapist, Gail Singer.
“One of my favorite things about teaching is classroom discussions,” Kim
said. “Because this is an Honors course, I’m looking forward to digging a
litter deeper into the topics we will cover.” Prior to coming to Mott, Kim
earned degrees from Michigan State (BA) and Central Michigan (MA).
“As a new HP faculty member, I am looking forward to getting to know the
students as well as interacting with them at Honors activities and retreats.”
HP Fall Retreat is September 23
The annual Honors Program Fall
Retreat is scheduled for Friday,
September 23rd from 9 am to 2 pm
in the MCC Events Center. This funpacked event will include activities
and information for the year ahead.
Reminder: All HP students must
attend either the Fall Retreat or
Winter Retreat (to be held in
February, 2012) per the HP contract.
Burton
Otisville
Marlette
Burton
Flint
Lapeer
Yale
Honors Program Newsletter
Spring/Summer 2011
Inside this Issue:
Welcome Kim Giachinnna
1
Honors Program Dinner
2
HP Dinner Photo Highlights
3
HP Student / Alumni Updates 4
Important Dates:
August 8—Financial
Aid DROP Date for
students who have not
secured their “method of
payment” for fall classes
(e.g., financial aid).
September 6—MCC
Classes Begin. Sign up
for HP courses through
the honors coordinator.
September 23—
Honors Fall Retreat.
Reminder: all students
must attend one retreat
each calendar year.
Faculty & Staff Mixing It Up
Welcome to our New HP Students
Shane Trombley
Howard Nitz III
Alesha Lipford
Martin Bebe
Jennifer Carrasco
Tamara Vanderford
Mark Fulgencio
Mott Community
College
Courtney Lee
Trish Hug
Joe Giachinna
Montana Rice
Sally Newman
Mariana Barillas
April Eubanks
.
Lennon
Davison
Davison
Flushing
Burton
Flushing
Flint
October 1 & 2—MHA
Annual Conference
on beautiful Higgins Lake.
Space limited to 10
students, so sign up early.
November 11—
Decide Your Major
BeforeYou Transfer.
A career assessment
workshop for all HP
students to be held in
Mott Library. Be sure to
mark your calendar!
13th Annual HP Dinner & Medallion Ceremony
“Oh, the Places You’ll Go” – 2011 Honors Program Dinner a Success
On Friday, April 29th the Honors Program held its annual dinner at the Sarvis Center in Flint. The
night began with music provided by four members of the MCC Guitar Ensemble. The evening
program included speeches by Jennifer Brown (the 2011 Paul Carr Award recipient) and Devon
Olivier (the 2011 Phil Braun Award recipient). Honors Faculty handed out to Certificates of
Recognition to Thomas Tanner and Ashlyn Dotson. Students receiving Certificates of Achievement
included Jon Preston, Dante McGee, Lauren Robbins, William Morse, Judith Malone and Derek
Jinks. The top achievements in the Honors Program—the Diploma and Medallion—were presented
to Bethany James, Robert Denton, Teresa Fick, Theo Gantos, Carmen Jordan, John Carman, Amy
Vermette, Devon Olivier and Jennifer Brown. Congrats to these deserving HP student honorees!
Heather Sisto Honored for 13 Years of Service
Heather Sisto & Tomika Cooper
The 13th Annual Honors Dinner featured the following
theme: “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” based on the famous
children’s book by Dr. Seuss. This theme has long been
associated with the Honors Program and is a favorite to
former HP Coordinator, Heather Sisto. Heather received a
special “Dr. Seuss Send-off” including speeches by Vice
President Amy Fugate and two former students. Tomika
Copper (a 1999 graduate) and Matthew Thick (a 2004
graduate) each paid tribute to Heather’s leadership and
dedication. After saying a few words on her experiences,
Heather became storyteller and read “Oh, the Places You’ll
Go.” Her reading served as a great send-off to the students
honored that night.
MHA Conference: Oct 1 & 2 on Higgins Lake
Each year, the Michigan Honors Association
(MHA) hosts a weekend conference at the
MacMullan Conference Center on Higgins
Lake near Roscommon. For a small fee, HP
students can join other honors students from
across the state for discussions, leadership
development, and outdoor activities like
evening fires on the beach! This year’s theme
is: “MHA Unplugged”… don’t miss it!
MHA
HP Students at 2010 MHA Fall Conference
13th Annual HP Dinner & Medallion Ceremony
Recipients of Certificates of Recognition & Achievement
Kevin Fleetwood performs
with the MCC Guitar
Ensemble
Jennifer Brown,
Paul Karr Award Winner
2011 Recipients of the Honors Diploma and Medallion
Devon Olivier, Phil Braun
Award Winner
Stef Diana is recognized
for the Colloquium
Honors Program Students Making the News!
Charlene Fortner Recognized by the Michigan Campus
Compact and MCC Board of Trustees
On April 9, 2011 Charlene received the Commitment to Service
Award from Michigan Campus Compact. More than 300 college
students were nominated and Charlene was one of only six selected
for this distinction. She was also the only community college
student so honored. On April 25th, Charlene was later recognized by
the Mott Community College Board of Trustees (as seen in photo).
Honors Program Students Receive Writing Awards
On April 22nd three HP students were given Anna Bradley Awards by the Humanities Division:
Name
Title of Essay
Place
Category
Modesrah Ahmed
“Veni, Vedi, Vici”
First Place
Research or Critical Essay
Teresa Fick
“One Pig’s Unlucky Day”
Second Place Non-fiction Essay
John Hartranft
“Water”
Second Place Fiction Essay
Marjorie Saulnier Selected for the Women In Education (WIE) Fellowship Program
Congrats to Marjorie, who this past winter was selected as a recipient for WIE Fellowship Program.
According to her, “This program offers a fellowship and mentoring program through smart, successful
women to help students achieve successful school careers and later on, work careers.” Marjorie notes
that former students are typically asked to come back and mentor new MCC students in the program.
HP Student Alumni Updates
Tim Johnson Bikes Across American -- on May 3rd, former HP
student Tim Johnson embarked on a 4,700 mile trek across the
United States to raise money to fight hunger. An Environmental
Science major, Tim is biking across the country with two other UMFlint students in an effort to support the local community and raise
awareness for this important cause. At the time this newsletter went
to print, he and his fellow bikers were in Pueblo, Colorado. Pictured
(at left) is Tim following a mid-trip tumble on his bike.
Matthew Thick – was a guest speaker at the 13th Annual Honors Program Dinner and Medallion
Ceremony in April. A 2004 program grad, Matthew was recently accepted to the Masters Program at
Wayne State University. He reports: “I will be focusing on 19th Century American history with
emphasis on Native Americans and their representation in 19th Century media.” Matt is also in the
process of writing an article for the Chronicle, a publication of the Michigan Historical Society.
Matthew completed his bachelors degree from the University of Michigan, Flint.