UHP Alumni Updates/Giving to the UHP/Alumni Quotes & Perspectives

Dear UHP Alumni:

We look forward to learning from your experiences and expertise to enhance the program's offerings to students from across the university’s colleges and disciplines. We invite you to reflect on your honors education and to let us know what you are up to: please send us an informal note/update via email to honors@uidaho.edu

We hope that your note to us provides a welcome opportunity for you to reconnect with the honors community. We look forward to your responses and deeply appreciate your contribution toward the University of Idaho's support for excellence in honors undergraduate education. We appreciate your interest in remaining connected to the program and to its development.

Interested in Giving to the UHP?

Examples of Student Achievement 2007

Student Achievement and 2006 Alumni Plans

Honors Program Graduates (May 2006/December 2005)

Honors Program Graduates (May 2005/December 2004)

Perspectives and Praise from UHP Alumni

“I really enjoyed my classes in the Honors Program.  The faculty was truly interested in helping me to excel in their class and they were always available if I had questions.  I enjoyed the special classes on up to date topics and the many discussions in which I was able to hear a lot of my fellow students’ views.  I liked that I had many of the same people in classes more than once outside of my major.  We all were taking classes that benefited from a diverse group of people.”  Bret Cocking, History, Visual Communication, Colfax, WA

"I cannot imagine my life at the University of Idaho without the Honors Program. In freshman Honors Chemistry I met friends who I would not only share the rest of my undergraduate experience with, but who, I believe, will be friends for a lifetime. University Honors Program classes excite and stimulate. They have defined my university experience and helped me see the world from new and varied perspectives." Melanie Coonts, Microbiology, Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, and English, Boise, Idaho

"For me, the Honors Program offers a diverse family of friends who share in common goals and attitudes and who really care about me as a person." Betsy DeHaas, Secondary Education/English, Grangeville, Idaho

"My four years in the Honors Program were absolutely transformative. I received an education from inspired, challenging, and caring teachers in a variety of fields—the kind of undergraduate education that would be hard to surpass anywhere. To a large extent, my decision to become a professor has been an attempt to pass on a part of the thrill of learning I experienced in the Honors Program at Idaho.” Gregory Eiselein, English and History, Manhattan, Kansas

"Through the honors program, I was able to deviate from the math, physics and chemistry of my engineering curriculum and develop, to my pleasant surprise, an appreciation of English and economics." Loren Euhus, Chemical Engineering, Springfield, Oregon

"The University of Idaho Honors Program offers a challenging and mind-expanding experience with some of UI's best faculty.  The activities offered through the program have enhanced my academic and personal experience and as a graduating senior I'm appreciative of the opportunities the program offered me over the course of pursuing my degrees in Finance and Foreign Language." Kimberly Farnen, Finance and Foreign Language, Girdwood, Alaska

"The Honors Program provides exciting classes, good friends and great fun; it's what makes a state university education the equal of any in the nation." Bryan Fullerton, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Moscow, Idaho

"The UHP gave me the opportunity to learn about ideas far beyond my declared major from blood sucking bugs to the state of modern Africa.  I'm grateful for the diversion and for the chance to broaden my horizons with students who are prepared and like to engage and professors who really push you to think in new ways and spaces." Melinda Giacalone, Public Relations, San Francisco, CA

"The best class that I took at this university was an honors seminar on the Geography of Conflict.  I see the world differently because of this class.  It was a great experience."  Meagan Rose Gleckler, Soil & Land Resources, Malad, Idaho

"Do you want to be a leader throughout your life? Do you want to make lifelong friendships with students and professors alike? And do you want the best possible education at the University of Idaho? The Honors Program makes these sometimes cliché questions become a reality. The opportunities for leadership are at your fingers, the professors make great friends and challenge you to think, and the courses provide an array of topics that any student from any discipline can enjoy." Luke Grauke, Microbiology, Spokane, WA

"In my honors classes, learning became an active process. The teacher doesn't just tell the students what's going on; instead, the discussion by the students brings the topic to light." Loren Haefer, Music, Boise, Idaho

“My expectations of the UHP were not only met, I would even have to say they were exceeded! Not only did I find better learning experiences, but also enjoyed social, recreational, and leadership activities.” Tim Hagen, Computer Science, Pullman, WA

“I enjoyed the wide array of honors classes available to me. The honors curriculum is very flexible, broad, and deep. Exciting classes were always offered and I enjoyed taking them. I also liked how the Honors Program wasn't detached from the rest of the university in its own college. The Honors Program opened many opportunities to me that I would not have been aware of otherwise. Bryan J. Haney, Chemical Engineering, Eagle, Idaho,

"[The UI Honors Program stimulated] me to think about things I wouldn't have considered otherwise in my engineering education. The theater, modern music, extracurricular programs, movie series and other liberal arts have made my life more enjoyable. I find many of my engineering colleagues didn't get the same breadth of education." Erika Johnston, Chemical Engineering, Boston, Mass.

"Besides the wonderful trips and extracurricular opportunities, the Honors Program offers stimulating, smaller courses that feature high-caliber professors, some of whom even dress up as Merlin (our own wizard of chemistry!), or bike to school consistently wearing one of 365 bow ties!" Dawn Kahrs, Music Performance, Wheeler, Oregon

"I thoroughly enjoyed my honors seminar; it was the most creatively effective college course I have experienced, and I am excited about taking another." Briana Keafer, Forestry and Wildlife Resources, McCall, Idaho

"I enjoyed meeting faculty and students who are intelligent, motivated, and interesting. The honors program helped me to meet many of my friends as well as providing me with high academic standards." David Korus, Computer Science, Seattle, WA

"My honors program courses were instrumental in preparing me for graduate school and,
looking back, they provided some of the most engaging and exciting experiences during my time at the University of Idaho. Thank you for providing a program that facilitated and encouraged my desire to learn for learning's sake." Peter Leman, English, Irvine, CA

"An engineer needs to know more than just how to build a bridge or a circuit. The Honors Program has helped me expand my interests and communication skills while learning from top-rated professors in other subject areas as I pursue a degree in Idaho's excellent engineering program." Thane Liffick, Electrical Engineering, Hailey, Idaho

"I have become a member of a community that values learning. The University Honors Program has raised my awareness of intellectual discourse, expanded my academic interests, and motivated me to pursue my studies with greater vigor." Jessica Lipschultz, English and American Studies, Boise, Idaho

“A great program.  I felt challenged, but also welcomed, to embrace a broad array of courses that would expand my understanding of the world.”  Scott McNeill, English, Nampa, Idaho

“I have loved being a member of the UHP.  My classes have been outstanding and I really enjoyed the focus on discussion.”  Christine Meyling, Economics, New Plymouth, Idaho

"The UI Honors Program taught me to analyze matters critically. Energy law is a fairly technical field, so my exposure to subjects in forest policy, entomology, economics, history, literature, and more, was excellent preparation." Joe Nelson, English, Washington, D.C.

“I loved each honors class that I took and I learned so much from the men and women who taught them. I benefited greatly from the UHP and I cannot imagine my undergraduate experience without these courses.” Kelsey Nunez, Biology, Malibu, CA

"The Honors Program has given me the opportunity to expand my interests, develop my beliefs, and enlarge my circle of friends." Erin Ogden, English, Boise, Idaho

"It is in honors classes that you learn to love to think." Heather Pennington, Biology, Cape Town, South Africa

“Each honors class I took was more enjoyable than any regular lecture class I took. I valued the small class sizes and more relaxed and innovative teaching styles.” Marissa L. Peterson, Music, Lewiston, Idaho

"The discipline I chose to study can encourage students to attain a very focused education. The honors program was a great way for me to broaden my studies and get a more rounded education. In addition, the honors program offers more than just a varied and intensive selection of courses beyond the normal University of Idaho curriculum. As an entering foreign student, the program provided social and cultural events, as well as pure encouragement, that I really appreciated during my transition into a new culture." Luke Raymond, Computer Engineering, Ikelenge, Zambia

“I found the Honors Program to be incredibly beneficial. I made great, lasting friendships. The classes were smaller and it was easier to get to know a professor--the professors' interest in their students made the program all worthwhile.” Errin Reese, Visual Communication, Idaho Falls, Idaho

"The honors program features excellent teachers who are genuinely interested in the subjects they teach and your progress in them." Rebecca Roop, Political Science, Cocolalla, Idaho

"I would have to give tremendous credit to the honors courses at the University of Idaho . . . they were some of my most challenging courses while I was there and played a large part in where I am now." Susan Bruns Rowe, Finance, Eden, Idaho

"The teachers are exceptional, and I appreciated the interdisciplinary approach to the honors seminars." Josh Sementi, Mechanical Engineering, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

"The scholarship was a tremendous help in my undergraduate career.  As a result of the scholarship, I was financially able travel to Spain for a semester abroad, expanding my knowledge of foreign cultures, furthering my proficiency in the Spanish language and gaining the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.  I also found the opportunity to explore other disciplines through the Honors Program a very valuable experience. Overall the program provided me with a well-rounded and diverse education."  Jessica Snow, Physics, Richland, WA

“I thought all the faculty that taught my [honors] classes were a pleasure to work with and really wanted students to learn. Also the students I took classes with were really interesting to talk to because they didn’t all think alike… Additionally, I think the Honors Program staff is exceptionally capable and always very helpful.” David Thrasher, Chemical Engineering, Richland, WA

"My experiences with the University of Idaho Honors Program have been overwhelmingly positive. From the beginning, honors classes helped me develop critical thinking and writing skills that I now find invaluable in my senior English classes. I also appreciate the broader focus that honors courses have given me. I have been introduced to the history of chemistry, the philosophy underlying math, and the cultural ramifications of “Women in Westerns,” one of my upper-division honors seminars. In addition to these unique perspectives not found in the mainstream curriculum, honors program courses and events such as theatre trips and foreign film nights have given me the chance to meet an amazing and diverse group of people. In general, the professors in the program are much more involved with students and genuinely care about our success, while the students enrich class discussions with their wide variety of interests and backgrounds." Sarah M. Thompson, English and Spanish, Rigby, Idaho

"In the summer before my freshman year at the University of Idaho, I felt swamped with paperwork and consequently did not fill out the Honors Program application. . . [By] the second day of classes, I found the office, filled out the application and was enrolled in the honors section of Chemistry 111 by the second lecture. The class was a blast and the people I met are still some of my greatest friends. I then of course took the honors Chemistry 112 section. I quickly realized that the honors sections of core courses were the way to go if I wanted to be interested and enjoy courses outside of my preferred subjects. As the years went on, I found the staff, professors and students involved in the program a great group of people. I went on those trips and outings that I could fit into my schedule and loved every minute of every one. I eventually decided that sticking with the program and trying for my certificate was a great investment. I had super advising and accomplished something I could be very proud of. My parents enjoyed the Honors Certificate presentation more than the actual graduation ceremony and it was a great time for me to "feel" my accomplishments at the university." Callie Ann Weiss, Chemistry: Professional/Spanish, Eagle, Idaho

"The caliber of student in Honors Program classes is impressive. When you hold your own with these people, you have a right to feel you've accomplished something." Peter Woychick, Art, Boise, Idaho

“The small class sizes and quality instructors made courses a dream. The instructors really cared and did what they could for us to succeed.” Clay Cavanaugh