Welcome to University Honors at the University of Maryland

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Honors Events

HONORS LECTURE SERIES

The Honors Program offers lectures and workshops just for Honors students. Most of these events occur in the late afternoon in Anne Arundel Hall or Denton Hall.

2009 Spring Lecture Series

For changes and updates please see our calendar at www.honors.umd.edu/events

Monday, February 2, 2009
4:00-5:00pm (Snacks will be served.)
Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
The NSA Story: Inside the National Security Agency
Mr. Tony Stramella

This exciting presentation will focus on some of the NSA's strategies and challenges in protecting the government's information systems. This presentation will appeal to students interested in the security of individual information/identification, students interested in the intelligence community, fields of engineering, and programming.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
5:00–6:00 pm
Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
The Fulbright Scholarship- A unique opportunity for post-graduate study/travel abroad
Dr. Francis DuVinage, Director of the National Scholarships Office

Are you interested in doing research, studying, or teaching abroad after
graduation? Learn about the Fulbright Fellowship Program, the nation's
largest and most prestigious global fellowship program! Fulbright awards are designed to give recent B.S./B.A. graduates opportunities for international experience, personal enrichment and an open exchange of ideas with citizens of other nations. Fulbright grants are currently available to over 150 nations, and there are two distinct types of
grant: study/research awards for students who wish to investigate timely and
significant topics abroad, and English Teaching Assistantships.

The National Scholarships Office at the University of Maryland provides a
full range of advice and support to students interested in learning about
and applying for Fulbright grants for study or teaching abroad. To learn
more about the Fulbright program and our services, please attend this special
program for Honors students. (If you are interested in learning more, but are unable to attend this event, please contact the NSO and we'll be in touch.)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
4:00-5:00 pm
Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
Workshop for 1st and 2nd Year Students: Creating a Strong Resume
Ms. Liza Lebrun, University Honors

Monday, March 2, 2009
4:00-5:00 pm
Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
Workshop for 3rd and 4th Year Students: Creating a Professional Resume
Ms. Liza Lebrun, University Honors


Tuesday, March 10, 2009
7:00-8:30 pm
Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
2012 and the Maya Cosmos: The Equinox Descent of the Serpent of Light at Chichen Itza, Yucatan
Dr. John Carlson, University Honors

The world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012! ...or perhaps not. But as the Sun sets on the equinox (March 21st) every year at the ancient Maya pilgrimage center of Chichen Itza, tens of thousands of celebrants from around the globe will gather there to watch a "Serpent of Light and Shadow" descend the north stairway of the world-famous "Temple of the Plumed Serpent," symbolically slithering off to enter the infamous sacred well of sacrifice. As we approach the end of an important 5,125-year cycle in the ancient Maya calendar on the winter solstice in 2012, the world is witnessing an exponential growth of "new age" cults that anticipate the occurrence of something profound... and Chichen Itza is the epicenter. Simply Google "2012" and see how many hits you find. Join the Honors Program's John Carlson for a well-illustrated discussion of his research on the history and science of the Serpent of Light phenomenon and the 2012 event both in serious Maya studies as well as in world popular culture.

2008 Fall Lecture Series

Wednesday, September 10
4:00pm, Anne Arundel Hall Basement Lounge
War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning
Dr. Howard Smead, University Honors

Honors Senior Lecturer and History professor Dr. Howard Smead kicks off the fall lecture series with a discussion of the first year book, War Is a Force that Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges.

Wednesday, September 17
3:30pm, Anne Arundel Hall Basement Lounge
Medical School Admissions: Starting Early to Build Your Medical School Profile
Wendy Loughlin, Director of Pre-Health Advising

Wendy Loughlin is the University Premedical Advisor. She coordinates the campus interviews and University letters of recommendation for medical and dental school applicants. This presentation will offer advice and a timeline for students who plan to apply to medical or dental school. Freshman and sophomore students are especially encouraged to attend.

Thursday, September 18
1:30-2:30pm, 1101 ARC (Architecture)
The Purple Line: Recent Planning Efforts
Mr. Doug Duncan

Mr. Doug Duncan, the University of Maryland's Vice President for Administrative Affairs, former Montgomery County Executive, and former Mayor of Rockville, will discuss the issues surrounding the development of the Purple Line (Metro) through our campus with a particular emphasis on urban planning. This special presentation has been arranged by Prof. Alex Chen for HONR228B (Planning for Cities) but is open to all Honors students.

Thursday, September 18
6:00pm, Anne Arundel Hall Basement Lounge
Professional Opportunities: Deloitte Consulting
Julia Bedanova

Honors Program Alumna Julia Bedanova speaks on professional opportunities in management consulting. A catered reception, featuring opportunities to talk with consultants from Deloitte will follow the presentation.

Tuesday, September 23
3:30 pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
2008 Election Panel Discussion
Dr. Karen Kaufmann, Dr. Geoff Layman, Dr. Frances Lee, and Dr. Brian McKenzie

Government and Politics professor Dr. Karen Kaufmann leads an interactive panel discussion on the 2008 presidential elections. Topics such as partisanship, black politics, the socio-demographics of swing states, and the impact of the election on congressional races will be discussed in detail. Students should come eager to share their own views and gain new perspective on this historic election.

Wednesday, September 24
6:00pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Thinking About Law School?
Greg Schaffer, Esq., Pre-Law Advisor

Greg Schaffer is an attorney who serves as the University pre-law advisor. He will offer pointers to all undergraduates who are considering law school. This presentation will be useful for seniors who are in the process of applying and freshman, sophomores, and juniors who are thinking of applying in the future.


Monday, October 13
5:00 pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Class Participation and the Quiet Student: Easy Ways to Boost Participation
Dr. Cathy W. Barks, Associate Director in Honors

Class participation is often a course requirement and often figured into final grades. Some students participate easily while other students, just as bright, hold back, spend more time gathering their thoughts, and hesitate to jump in. Yet holding back can adversely affect grades. This talk outlines surprisingly easy ways to jump-start participation and successful strategies to continue to strengthen this increasingly important skill.

Tuesday, October 14
7:00pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Attitude and Goal Setting
Joel Oppenheimer, PE

Joel Oppenheimer leads a successful engineering firm in Baltimore. He returns to Honors with his popular talks on "Leading a Better Life, Concrete Steps to Success." This is the first of two sessions. It will focus on methods of cultivating a positive, proactive attitude and the importance of developing long and short term plans.

Monday, October 20
4:00pm, Denton Hall Basement Lounge
Sex on Campus. . . What's Really Happening
Dr. Robin Sawyer

Dr. Robin Sawyer is Associate Chairperson for the Department of Public and Community Health and acclaimed author. His primary research interest is adolescent (particularly college student) sexuality. His lectures never fail to inform as well as entertain. He dispels rumors, reveals surprising trends, and answers the questions people are often too afraid to ask concerning sex on campus. Dr. Sawyer is currently working with intercollegiate athletes in the area of sexual violence.

Tuesday, October 21
7:00 pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Time Management/Financial Planning
Joel Oppenheimer, PE

Joel Oppenheimer presents the second installment of his popular talk on “Leading a Better Life, Concrete Steps to Success.” These sessions focuses on effective methods of time management and financial planning for college students. Mr. Oppenheimer's lectures are informative and never fail to draw a large crowd.

Tuesday, October 28
4:00pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
The Revolutions of 2008
Dr. Howard Smead, University Honors

Does the November 4th election mark a revolution in American politics? Senior Honors Lecturer and history professor Dr. Smead will put this election into historical and cultural context.


Monday, November 3
4:00pm Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
All Business is Global Business
Dr. Patricia Cleveland

Patricia Cleveland is Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. Her research interests include organizational change, particularly the implementation of new information systems in organizations.

Tuesday, November 11
3:30pm, Anne Arundel Hall Lounge
Election Wrap-up
Dr. Paul Herrnson

Dr. Paul Herrnson, Director of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship and Professor of Government and Politics, will lead a discussion about the election results. Offered in conjunction with HONR378I.

Wednesday, November 12
4:00 pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
Introduction to the Stock Market
Dr. Eric Wish, Director, Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR)

Most citizens never learn how stock markets operate and the techniques for successful investing. You can be an informed and smart investor! This presentation will introduce students to how to research companies using internet sources.


Monday, November 17
4:00pm, Anne Arundel Basement Lounge
National Award and Scholarship Opportunities in Science, Math, and Engineering
Dr. Francis DuVinage

Director of the National Scholarships Office, Dr. Francis DuVinage will discuss a variety of awards and post-graduate scholarship opportunities for students interested in science, math, and engineering. Freshmen and sophomores are especially encouraged to attend.

Please watch your email or check out the Honors Event Calendar for the latest lecture and workshops announcements.

For more information or to suggest a lecture or workshop, please contact Dr. Katherine Russell.

Honors students rafting the Gauley River in West Virginia.

Senior lecturer Dr. Howard Smead speaking before a crowd during the Honors Spring Lecture series.