Honors Committee Meeting
Minutes for 9/12/12
Present: Dr Sheila Brintnall, Dr Nancy Knous, Rhonda Cook, Brandice Guerra, Dr Eric
Schmaltz, Baylei Zehr, and Dr Nancy Kilian
Absent: None
The meeting began with Dr Bell presenting his proposal for the Honor’s class that will be
offered in the Spring 2013 semester, “Topics in American Literature” that will deal with
individuality and community. The class will be aimed towards ‘what do we owe society, ‘the
promise of America to country’, and the need for personal responsibility. Assignments may
include doing a paper and possibly making a presentation. The class might include guest
speakers and other tweaking may be done.
The overall consensus was that everyone liked Dr Bell’s proposal. Rhonda Cook made the
motion to accept Dr Bell’s proposal for the class and Baylei Zehr seconded the motion. There
was a unanimous vote for the proposal.
There was discussion about the present Honors Students’ progress. The Honors Program
process was explained to our newest member, Brandice Guerra, and also the changes that have
occurred.
Several students will be completing their program and will be graduating with Honors very soon.
Dr Schmaltz gave an update about how the present Honors class (UNIV 1913 Honors –
Presidential Elections) is going. Six students are enrolled and the class is going well. Dr Mason
is team-teaching and they are involving several political aspects.
The brochure is in the process of being printed at the Print Shop.
Discussion followed with ideas for the Honors Class for Fall 2013. Ideas included a Naturalist
class through Thompson (Biology) and Guerra (Art) and Current Brain Research as sort of a
Biology/Psychology (Dr Knous) proposal. The second idea, Current Brain Research, will be
pursued and other ideas will be considered during a spring meeting.
An evaluation will be needed for the present Honors class. The current class will be asked to
critique the class and will be asked to make suggestions for future ideas.
Submitted by Dr Kilian.
Honors Committee Meeting Minutes
January 31, 2013
The meeting began at 2 pm with all faculty members present. Our student member, Baylei Zehr, was
unable to attend because of her class schedule. Guests included Dr Steve Lohmann, Dr Mike Knedler,
Brad Franz, and Dr Beverly Warden.
Update on Honors Students’ progress: All received A’s in the Fall Honors course (therefore received
credit since must have an A or B) and they are enrolled in the Spring Honors class under Dr Bell. Three
Honors students will soon be graduating: Stephanie Martin, Kaitlin McAllister, and A J Majike.
Update on UNIV 1913 Honors – Presidential Elections Survey: The compilation showed very positive
comments and some very good suggestions for future honors courses. The students expressed how they
really liked being together in a class.
Spring Honors Course – Dr James Bell: UNIV 1923 is considered to be equivalent to a Humanities course
entitled Individuality and Community. Dr Bell previously told us that the class would be doing readings
and discussing the community and how they relate.
Request from Education Division for Course Rotation with General Education courses for which the
Honors Class will substitute – needed for advising Elementary Ed, Early Childhood & Special Education
majors (4 x 12 Requirements): Within the general education requirements, which classes are being met
by the honors classes? Discussion ensued since we have an Elementary Education major for the first
time. Dr Warden addressed the committee by conveying that the Education Department ‘basically
needs to know when the honors courses are going to be offered in what area’ to help them advise their
students who happen to also be honors students. (Ex. UNIV 1913 – fulfilled Government) Dr Lohmann
made a suggestion that since there is only one student presently affected that we should just figure out
the situation as we go along. Dr Schmaltz made a motion that we adhere to Dr Lohmann’s suggestion
and not design a specific rotation. Brandice Guerra seconded the motion. All voted in favor of the
motion.
Other : (New Fall Honors class suggestions) Dr Knous (Psych) – Brain and Behavior, Current Brain
Research or even make it joint Psychology and Biology. Brandice Guerra (Art) – Studio course with
studying and producing, may also include Art History. Dr Brintnall will talk to Dr Palmer (Business) about
possible Developing Economies, Oil and Gas Industry, or Wall Street. Also, the suggestion of maybe
Business & Arts (Involvement in the community) since a presentation is going to be made soon by Dr.
Sarah Chan and Dr. Wei Zhou. Dr Decker asked about doing a 1-2 hour honors course on Diversity. This
may work out if another 1-2 hour class could be generated during the other part of the semester.
Generally, all thought the future classes should have less lecture and more hands on. We presently have
6 honors students for the upcoming fall semester plus the unknown number of new applicants. (Next
Meeting) February 14th at 1 pm was suggested as our possible next meeting time.
Submitted by Dr Kilian.
Honors Committee Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2013
The meeting began at 1 pm with only four faculty members present: Dr. Sheila Brintnall, Rhonda Cook,
Dr. Nancy Knous, and Dr. Nancy Kilian. Absent from the meeting were: Brandice Guerra and Dr. Eric
Schmaltz. Our student member, Baylei Zehr, was unable to attend due to her class schedule.
Review proposed Fall 2013 Honors Class (Dr. Knous – Brain Research): Discussion regarding leading a
class topic vs. a presentation and the length of research reports was made. After the information was
clarified, Rhonda Cook made the motion that we accept Dr. Knous’ proposal for the UNIV 1933, Brain
and Behavior course. Dr Kilian seconded the motion and all voted for the proposal.
Review possible Spring 2014 Honors Class (Dr. Palmer – Comparative Law): The proposal was rejected
for a Spring 14 Honors Class. After some discussion it was decided that the class (GBUS 4480 –
Comparative Law) would be too high of a level for freshmen and sophomore students. Other
possibilities include Brandice Guerra’s Art class or Judye Pistole’s class of comparative religions. (Judye
Pistole is an adjunct instructor so a vote may possibly be required since she is not a full-time instructor
with the university)
Update on Honors Students’ progress: Two Honors students will soon be graduating: Stephanie Martin
and Kaitlin McAllister. A J Majike has decided to stay another year.
Other : The mail has been sent for future applicants. Another meeting will be necessary to review the
incoming letters on May 2nd at 1 p.m.
Submitted by Dr. Nancy Kilian