April 22, 2017: Graduation Day Reflections

Hello everyone,

It is a weird feeling to know that this day was real. It is also weird that this is my last blog post. The month leading up to graduation had been pretty surreal. From presenting at my last Undergraduate Symposium to having a recap meeting with everyone at Honors, I couldn't believe my time at Eastern had went so quickly. Some people don't think walking at graduation is a big deal and I respect that. For me, the tassel and the ceremony show the completion of something that has been a big part of my life. I would like to share some pictures of my last final weeks as a student at EMU and The Honors College.

To reflect upon my experience at Eastern means reflecting on what it means to be a commuter, as I commuted to campus until my senior year from 40 minutes away. The Honors College, the events and the connections, made college go from something that I went to just to attend class to something that is like my second home. I moved near campus in 2016 because of my two jobs on campus and my greater connection to the Ypsilanti area. I never would have thought that this would have happened but I guarantee that would not have been the case without EMU Honors. What stemmed from taking one Honors course my freshman year turned into two jobs and a family of friends. Being a commuter allowed me to work on time management and many other skills that I was then able to share with other students once I became involved.

In the Fall of 2014, when I was brought onto the student fellow position at Honors, I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I knew they wanted me to help start a commuter initiative but was not exactly sure how. In the last few years, I feel a greater sense of community has begun. From specific commuter events, to surveys to our awesome t-shirts and this blog, it has grown. I want to thank each and every one of you that has taken the time to click on, read or look at this blog in the last few years. It has been a great chance to grow this program, and also a learning opportunity for myself. I don't have words to explain what Eastern and The Honors College mean to me but I will carry that as I continue on my path in graduate school. I also know that the community here will always grow with the awesome students we have. Keep soaring higher.

Kaylee

Countdown to Graduation! Ideas for Caps!

Hello!

It is absolutely weird to say that it is now mid-March and that graduation (April 22nd, 2017) is less than 50 days away! (Even though this snow makes me feel like it's still January).

This semester has FLOWN by so far and these next 6 weeks will as well, but there is still a lot to accomplish. Between working all my jobs, classes, and finishing my senior thesis for conferences, things can feel pretty hectic. Something fun, that I suggest even if you aren't graduating this semester, is looking at how to decorate graduation caps.

Doing this really gave me inspiration to finish the semester and think about what my last four years at EMU has meant to me. There are so many great ideas online but I am going to share some of my favorites below:

For those of you who are graduating next month, caps and gowns will be available at discount pricing (around $45) during this month and at the graduation fair (April 10 and 11). Visit this webpage for more information.

Good luck on the rest of your semester and I look forward to seeing you at the rest of our Honors events this semester (we have some great ones coming up so check your email for more information and RSVP links!).

1. Tuesday, 3/21 from 7-8:30 p.m. another great Star Lecture Series presentation!
2. OUR ANNUAL LOCK-IN Friday, 3/24 from 7-11 p.m. which this year is CARNIVAL THEMED.
3. The MEHA (Mideast Honors Assocation) conference is being held here at Eastern on April 7th-9th.
4. And as always, we have yoga and coffee hour every Friday morning here at The Honors College!

Best,

Kaylee

My Senior Thesis Survey: Looking for participants!

Hello everyone,

As an undergraduate, I've always been a commuter. One way that I was able to stay engaged without having to live on campus was through research and pursing Honors! 

For my Honors Senior Thesis and my Undergraduate Research Symposium Project; I am looking for participants to take a very short survey, with a chance to win 1 of 4 $25 Amazon gift cards. For EMU students, you may receive extra credit in a course through the SONA online research sign-up system. This system is used by the Psychology Department so if you are taking any psych courses this semester, you should be able to tie your research credit to that course. The survey in total should take about 30 minutes.

To participate you must be over 18 years of age and provide informed consent. This is an entirely voluntary online survey which is investigating how message framing impacts perceptions of loss across generations.

To access the short survey and/or more information about it, please click one of the two following links (it doesn't matter which survey you do, as long as you do not do both):

1. https://goo.gl/forms/NqQAKcqhdm8vx3N82 
2. https://goo.gl/forms/iePWlAEFLv01NSne2

If you would like course credit, you have to have an account with SONA (https://emich.sona-systems.com/default.aspx) which is similar to your EMU login information and only takes a moment to set up and find the studies.

• The survey is titled (+/-) “Changing Perceptions of Loss: The Influence of Generation Effects and Message Framing”

Thank you for your time help in completing my research project. It is very much appreciated.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at kbrow107@emich.edu.

Also if you were thinking of doing a Senior Thesis Project to graduate with Departmental or Highest Honors, make sure you attend a Senior Thesis Workshop here at The Honors College! Dates for workshops this semester are located on our website at: http://www.emich.edu/honors/student-life/calendar.php

:)

 

Cards, Games & Euchre - Oh my!

Hello Honors students,

I hope your first week back to classes has been exciting and productive.

I wanted to take a moment and invite you all to attend our 3rd annual Mentoring/Commuter Game Night, also called Pizza, Cards & Games.

This year the event will be on Thursday, January 26th from 5-7 pm here at The Honors College!

This is one of my favorite events that we hold at The Honors College (partially because I love playing Euchre). It is also very special because it is when we get to give away some cool prizes and our Mentoring Program t-shirts!
If you are in the program this year, please fill out this survey for your t-shirt: https://goo.gl/forms/sSEJVWBVf4lUcibw2

In terms of Euchre, we have held a tournament style type of game during previous years. It's a lot of fun, as we have people on all levels of playing Euchre.

If you are unfamiliar with the game or want to know more about it's history, here are a few facts:

• It is highly debated where the game originated from, some say German settlers - others say settlers from France or the U.K.

•  It is played differently from region to region.

• It was once considered the national card game in the U.S. (during the 19th century) but has declined in popularity overall
• However, it has a strong following in the Midwest aka (Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and our very own Michigan!) 
• The average play time is 25 minutes and according to Wikipedia the skills required include: memory, tactics and communication.

•  Only the A,K,Q,J,10, & 9 are used during game play (unless you use 5's or 6/4's for counting points!)

If you are interested in learning how to play, showing off your skills or just coming to hang out and enjoy pizza - please RSVP by clicking here to this super fun event!

Look forward to seeing you all there!

Kaylee