The Ouachita Honors Society held the Black and White Reception celebrating the achievements of the members and the club on Feb. 9.
“It is the chance at the beginning of the new year to induct the new members of the program, announce the new officers and to award the recipients of the scholarships,” said Mary Smethers, a senior Christian studies major.
At this second annual reception for the society, travel grants were awarded to several members. These grants provide the scholars with funds to cover the costs associated with their individual research.
“The grant winners will be traveling all over the world, advancing their independent research,” said Abby Dekle, a senior pre-med biology and chemistry major and chairwoman of the society.
The recipients selected for the travel grants include Jason Curlin, a junior Russian and English major. Curlin received the Carl Goodson Scholarship to study Russian abroad. He will be traveling to Russia to immerse himself in the culture and language.
Another student chosen was Rachel Harris, a senior musical theatre and vocal performance major. Harris was awarded the Ben Elrod Scholarship and will be heading to Urbania, Italy, to study music — both operatic and art song literature — in the Musica Nelle Marche Program.
Anthony Emerson, a junior Christian studies and history major, received the Garrett Hamm Scholarship to attend Biblical studies conferences.
“I’m studying the people of God this semester in my directed study with Dr. Dodson — who they are, what the implications of being a part of God’s people are, what their responsibilities are to each other and to the rest of the world,” Emerson said. “Hopefully this will help prepare me as I look to go into Biblical studies or ministry as a profession.”
The Honors Council Scholarship was given to Stacy Beck, a junior political science, history and French major. With the scholarship, she will seek a political internship.
Valerie Nickel, a junior chemistry and biology major, received funds to travel for biology research this summer.
The Honors Society has aided many scholars’ undertakings. They also have rewarded students for their diligence in studies and hard work inside and outside the classroom.
“It is such a joy working with the honors students,” said Dr. Barbara Pemberton, associate professor of Christian missions and sponsor of the Honors Society. “They are bright, creative and incredibly hard-working.”
The students of the Honors Society are excited to see what the future holds and where their studies will take them next.
“It was a real pleasure getting to spend time honoring the seniors who have been working so hard to complete their research and theses,” said Alex Nelson, a sophomore business administration and marketing major. “It was also a great picture of the academic atmosphere here at Ouachita and to see growth in the program and a remarkable class graduating.”
