Mount Ida College

Honor Scholar Jen Gleason Exhibits Photographic Portfolio

May 13, 2010

Jen Gleason, a first-year Vet Tech student, exhibited her Spring 2010 honors contract, a photgraphic essay of Vet Tech students and the animals they care for. The striking black and white photographs, on display in the main lobby of the new Vet Tech Building, illustrate the daily interactions between students and their furry patients, and the close bond between the two. Jen combined her experiences in the Vet Tech Program with her new-found skills in photography by working on this contract with faculty mentor and photographer Bill Kipp. As comments in the guest book  noted, the results of this interdisciplinary effort were impressive!

HSP Goes Whale Watching

April 29, 2010

On April 25th, Honor Scholars Abigail Davenport, Devyn Frank, Amanda Gilnack, Vanessa Lau, Anna Miranda, Chelsea Niemeyer and Amy Warner went to sea (well, to Boston Harbor) and saw dolphins, whales and a couple of their group get queasy onboard. A good time was had by all--and the consensus is that the next HSP event will be on land!

Elan Haynes, '12, Joins Presidential Panel on Civility in America

February 2, 2010

Elan Haynes, an Honor Scholar majoring in Fashion Merchandising, joined Dr. Carol Matteson, Professor Suzanne Markham, and Shawn DeVeau, Dean of Students at Merrimack College, for a panel discussion on "Civility in American Discourse." The forum, held in Carlson Auditorium, was the eighth annual event in the Mount Ida College President's Forum on Civic Responsibility.

Panelists presented a wide range of views in response to questions by Dr. Matteson and audience members. Afterwards, Elan remarked that "Participating in the President's Forum was a wonderful experience. To be invited to give my perspective in a discussion that is so relevant to our current day, alongside such respected panelists, was an honor. Mutual respect and thoughtfulness are two of the many noteworthy suggestions that emerged from the discussion."

HSP Students Receive Highest Score at Dental Hygiene Program's Table Clinic/Poster Presentations

December 2, 2009

Honor Scholars (pictured from left) Kimberly McLean, Renee Laliberte, Kaila Cowan and Erin Walsh worked with Prof. Jacyn Stultz on their honors contract, which asked the question, "How Does Childhood Oral Health Education Affect Oral Health Behaviors of Young Adults?" Their research and survey, which analyzed the correlation between dental health behaviors of young adults and dental knowledge, is part of the second-year class focus on "Public/Community Health," and was presented at the Dental Hygiene Program's Table Clinics/Poster Presentations in Carlson Conference Room. The presentation received the highest score (99.3) of those being judged, and reflected the high level of teamwork, creativity and critical thinking that went into the conception, development and delivery of the project. Congratulations to all, and a special thank you to Prof. Stultz!

(Photo credit: Leora Schachter)

Honor Scholars Up for the Challenge
December 1, 2009

Students looking to put their creative, academic and leadership skills to the test at Mount Ida College now can — through the new honor scholars program (HSP), launched this fall. “The honor scholars program is an academic, social and cultural experience for highly motivated students with demonstrated academic potential,” explains Professor Ellen Goldberger, JD, who directs the program. more...

"You are the Future of this College": Campus Leaders Emphasize the Call to Service
November 17, 2009

The HSP had a busy week: on November 8th we went to the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, then out to dinner at Bertucci's; on November 15th we attended a performance of "Those Fabulous Czechs" by the Newton Symphony Orchestra; and on November 17th, students were joined by a panel of campus leaders for our first annual Honors Leadership Breakfast.

The panelists--President Carol Matteson, Vice President for Academic Affairs Lance Carluccio, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Deborah Hirsch, Director of Athletics Jackie Palmer, Americorps/Vista Intern Allison Collins, and student leaders Terence Baisley and Meghan Kenny--discussed their own development as leaders and encouraged HSP students to take creative risks, use their years in college as a laboratory for personal growth, and seek out a variety of learning and leadership opportunities. Dr. Matteson also encouraged students to "think gray," not in black and white terms, and to look for creative solutions to problems. Junior Megan Kenny summed it all up: "You are the future of this college...get involved!"

Panelists (seated, starting sixth from the left): Dr. Hirsch, Dr. Palmer, Dr. Carluccio, Meghan Kenny, President Matteson, Terence Baisley and Allison Collins share coffee, bagels and valuable insights with HSP students and Ellen Goldberger.

Public Radio Show Host Meets with HSP Students
October 2, 2009

On October 2, Jay Allison, editor and National Public Radio host of the popular series "This I Believe," met with several Honor Scholars and other community members for an informal lunchtime chat preceding his College-wide presentation on This I Believe II, Mount Ida's summer reading selection for first-year students. Students asked Mr. Allison about his background and experiences, the process of editing the book, the impact the stories had on him, and his plans for the future. "It was a wonderful experience and a treat to meet someone who has helped so many people by providing them with an outlet to show the world what they truly believe," said HSP student Jennifer Gleason, '13.