The Eagles NestHonors Quarterly Newsletter

Florida Gulf Coast University Volume 2 Issue 4Photo courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University Library

Florida Gulf Coast University 1

Meet the Staff!

Photo courtesy of Nicola Foote

Dr. Nicola Foote Interim Director of the Honors Program

Honors students should meet with me if they need help with finding scholarships or internships, if they have questions about graduate school or study abroad, or if they need advice on how to maximize their role in the honors community or advance their academic or professional goals.

My favorite vacation spot is Tobago in the Caribbean. But I would really love to visit Ghana, so Im jealous of all the honors students whove been there!

Photo courtesy of Melodie Eichbauer

Dr. Melodie EichbauerInterim Assistant Director of the Honors Program

Honors students should meet with me if it is something they would see Dr. Foote about or probation questions.

My closest friend would describe me as funny, sarcastic, and twitchy.

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be Rome.

Photo courtesy of Diane Bova

Diane Bova Office Manager of the Honors Program

Honors students should meet with me about Honors in general, events, how to get involved in Honors, or just to talk!

My closest friend would describe me as a loyal friend, good listener, compassionate and honest.

My favorite hobby is walking on the beach and looking for shells.

Photo courtesy of Catherine Gorman

Catherine GormanFounder and Director of the Honors Mentor Program

As a Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies, I oversee various, diverse mentor programs here at FGCU. In addition, I founded the Eagle Ambassador Program. I co-founded and co-organize the annual FGCU St. Baldricks Day event, and have taught Honors Composition, Lessons in Leadership, and Happiness and Literature.

My favorite hobby is Irish step dance. I instruct 30 students between the ages of 6 and 16, twice weekly.

Photo courtesy of Allison Bacigalupi

Allison BacigalupiDirector of Undergraduate Studies Advising

My closest friend would describe me as fun, loyal, motivated, and supportive.

My favorite hobby is going to sporting events.

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be Italy.

Photo courtesy of Ashleigh Halter

Ashleigh Halter Academic Advisor for Special Populations

Honors students should meet with me if they have any questions regarding their Honors requirements.

My favorite hobbies are too many to count! Anything involving the arts in any form would probably be a good start.

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be Greece.

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Kroeger

Becky Kroeger Academic Advisor for Special Populations

Honors students should meet with me if they have any questions about completing their Honors course and experience requirements or if they want someone to hash out their life plan with!

My closest friend would describe me as loyal, dependable, a problem solver, a little weird and generally happy.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Rebstock

Jessica RebstockAcademic Advisor for Special Populations

Honors students should meet with me if they have any questions about their honors requirements, how to get more connected on campus, etc.

My closest friend would describe me as honest, caring, to the point and always willing to help!

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be Greece.

Florida Gulf Coast University 2

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Student SpotlightDaniella Escobar

She is the girl with big curly brown hair that you will always find smiling, however, behind that smile lies many stories and successes. Sociology senior Daniella Escobar is a first generation college student with a minor in Gender studies and special interest in truly understanding the world around her. I have always been interested in learning why people do what they do, specifically in group settings. I also love people watching, so the sociological lens has easily become my way of viewing the world through. I am able to look at interactions differently, and connect them to theories that describe the world, Esobar said. Her passion behind her major has taught Esobar many things about interaction and social construction, and through two honors contracts and an honors study abroad trip she has been able to expand her studies. This semester I will be doing two honors contracts, one on queer theory and another on the sociology of religion, Escobar said. Over the summer I spent two and a half weeks in Ghana with nursing and social work majors. During my time there I observed the vast differences among the individuals there compared to America. Escobar went with the nursing majors to the clinic areas and observed and interviewed individuals as the nurses collected things such as blood work. It was less of a culture shock than I expected, Escobar said. At a young age I moved from Colombia to America so I have been exposed to the communal aspect of Ghana from my Hispanic culture. However there were many things that sparked Daniellas interest during her trip. It was challenging being looked at as someone who can help this poverty-stricken area when in reality we are just as helpless, Escobar explained. I also learned that there are no racial issues in the area of Ghana I visited. People greet you as a white or black person by saying Hey white person, hey black person because there is no history behind it like in America. The lessons Escobar learned in Ghana have inspired her to continue to get involved and share her knowledge and advocate for causes important to her. This semester I will be working on a nation-wide campaign called Divest which will include an entire week dedicated to campaigning, statistics and interactive events, Escobar said. It will focus on divesting away from fossil fuels and reinvesting into sustainable and renewable resources... That is our mission, right? The next time you see the curly brown hair girl smiling down the breezeway you will know a little bit more of her story: Daniella Escobar- a woman full of many passions and visions who aspires to make the world a better place through her observations and knowledge in the field of Sociology.

-Emma Green

Photo by Emma Green

Honors GraduatesFall 2014

Honors senior Mikaela Roach shaking hands with FGCU President William Bradshaw.

Photo courtesy of FGCU

Honors student Daniella Escobar during her Honors Study Abroad trip to Ghana.

Photo courtesy of Daniella Escobar

Laura Ariza Cabra

Daniel Barbour

Jacob Barrish

Dayanira Lopez

Sonya Padfield

Mikaela Roach

Jessica Rodriguez

Stephen Roscher

Briana Stiehl

Kristen Tracy

Leigh White

Florida Gulf Coast University 3

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Important DatesFebruary through April

Spring 2015 PINKOUT Games*Only one honors event credit can be earned-See dates on the Honors Blog (www.blogs.fgcu.edu/honors)

Divest Film FestivalFebruary 13th, 20155:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.Marieb Hall 200

Presidents Lecture SeriesTuesday, February 17th and Tuesday, Februrary 24th 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.Sugden Welcome Center *Registration required* email treynold@fgcu.edu

Social Justice Film Festival Tuesday, February 17th2:00 p.m. Cohen Center Ballroom

Desegregation of Southwest Florida SchoolsWednesday, February 25th5:00 p.m. Cohen Center Ballroom

Broomball Friday, March 13th 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Germain Arena

Human Rights Film FestivalTuesday, March 31stStart time to be announcedCohen Center Ballroom

Honors Award CeremonyTuesday, April 14th 1:00 p.m. Cohen Center Ballroom

Photo courtesy of FGCU Honors Program

Event SpotlightUnmasking Africa

This past month, there has been a multitude of Honors events, covering a wide range of subjects including the Haiti Earthquake memorial and the mandatory first semester meetings. One of the most visited events over the month was the opening day of the Unmasking Africa exhibit hosted by Courtney Sanders and members of the Anthropology department on January 12. The purpose behind the exhibit was to convey the meaningboth social and culturalof a variety of masks found in different West African countries. All of the masks featured in the exhibit were found to be related in some way to the healing practices performed by West Africas indigenous people including ceremonies of divination, healing, initiation, and funerals. In addition to providing information on different cultures and practices in Africa, the exhibit also attempted to find connections between the ritual masks and the recent outbreaks of Ebola. The exhibit does this by emphasizing the gap and differences in Western vs. Indigenous treatment of diseases. According to the information found in the exhibit, some of the different healers would often wear the masks to isolate themselves and protect others from different diseases. The masks were also used by healers to transcend the borders between the mortal and spirit worlds in order to bring therapeutic recourse to the afflicted. Even though there are no more Honors Events connected to this exhibit, students can still go explore the fantastical world of West African healing masks up until the exhibits closing on March 20th.

-Olivia Sanders

Photo by Danielle Christy

If you have wanted to get more involved with the Honors Program now is the perfect time. There are positions available in three of our most prestigious areas of involvement. The Honors Program is looking for Senators, Honors Mentors, and Eagle Ambassadors. To get a better understanding of the positions and payoffs we asked a current member from each program to expand upon their experiences. Senate Member, Lori Boegershausen, feels that, you should join senate because it is a great leadership opportunity, as well as a wonderful system to foster ideas. The biggest benefit is networking in a cross-discipline sphere. As an Honors Mentor, Michael Tolvo says that, being an Honors Mentor is an amazing opportunity to welcome incoming freshman into our fantastic institution and the Honors Program here at FGCU. Responsibilities as a mentor can range from being a valuable resource to those students looking for exciting opportunities to being a friend they can always fall back on in any situation. It has been an extremely rewarding opportunity that has given me friendships and experiences that I will hold onto for the duration of my time in college and beyond. Eagle Ambassador, Emmalyn Green, shares about her experience, It has been a great opportunity to learn about the university and make connections with people who make changes within the university. Visit the Honors Blog for more information regarding these positions (www.blogs.fgcu/honors).

-Danielle Christy

Honors OpportunitiesMentors, Ambassadors and Senators

For the most up to date list please visit the Canvas Calendar

Florida Gulf Coast University 4

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Artist SpotlightJulia Reed-Betts

From the moment her mom brought her into a dance studio, the large wooden floor, mirrors that covered the entirety of the walls, and the dancers adorned in leotards and tights mesmerized Julia Reed-Betts. At just four years old, Betts began what would be a lifelong passion that would afford her amazing opportunities.

When I was seven, I auditioned for and was allowed to perform with the Miami City Ballet, which let me dance with actual ballet company members at a really young age. One rehearsal, my mom kept waving to me from the crowd, and I waved back, but was yelled at by my director. It taught me about staying in character during performances, even if that was a really embarrassing moment for me, Betts explains.

She was also able to compete in the Universal Ballet Competition in Miami and was awarded the silver medal in her age group.

Throughout her middle school and high school years, Betts has moved up in tudes De Ballet & Company, the studio where she Photo courtesy of Julia Reed-Betts

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dances and teaches. Betts practiced ballet in Junior Company for a few years, which consisted of mostly community-based rehearsals and events in the winter and spring. After taking and passing an Advanced 1 test, based around her knowledge and concept of dance, she moved into Senior Company. Betts then passed the Royal Academy of Dance exam, and was able to teach classes to younger dancers. Betts has worked with ages three to nine, both boys and girls alike, and has taught classes such as ballet, tap, and jazz. She is currently working on her Advanced 2 test, set for this march. Once she passes, she will be able to start applying to dance for professional ballet companies.

Betts has been able to play major lead roles in productions put on by tudes, I was part of the mazurka [a type of dance used in a performance] in the recital Les Sylphides in 2013, and I also played Swanhilde in Copplia in 2014. Swanhilde was a really fun, but difficult role.

Between juggling school work, being an honors student, and in the ACE Program, Betts finds that dance is not only her es-cape from the pressures of life, but it can sometimes be just as stressful. Its very demanding, and if Im having a bad pirouette day, Ill get frustrated. Its all about yourself and that you are working towards being perfect, so its pretty stressful sometimes. Its also my escape, it can be very calming and relaxing because you dont think about everything else going on, you really have to focus on just dancing.

-Allie Taylor