On Feb. 16 and 17, Fordham University hosted the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities Honors Conference. This second annual Honors Conference took place in Fordham University's Walsh and Duane libraries.
Jesuit universities participating in this program were Boston College, Canisius College, Creighton University, John Carroll University, Le Moyne College, Loyola College in Maryland, Loyola Marymount University, Marquette University, Regis University, Rockhurst University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Peter's College, Santa Clara University, Seattle University and University of Detroit Mercy. Each school was represented by an honors director, and some brought student representatives as well.
The vision of the AJCU honors student council, according to a preliminary draft of the council's mission statement, is "to advance not only our respective honors programs, but to further a national Jesuit honors presence. We strive to infuse the Jesuit philosophy of education and spiritual principles into all our actions and goals... to be men and women for and with others." The members of the student council drafted the mission statement during the conference. The statement stresses the importance of using intellectual gifts to enhance society and work toward social justice in the local, national and global communities.
"This past weekend's conference went very well," Antonella Iannarino, FCRH '07 said. "Fordham, as always, tried and succeeded at being hospitable, and with a beautiful campus, it was enough to leave everyone impressed."
The conference was devided into a variety of presentations and small group sessions. These sessions included "Honors and Social Justice," moderated by Paul Barker, FCRH '09. "Honors and the Core," moderated by Daniel Martin of Rockhurst University, and "Enhancement of the Honors Community" moderated by the director of John Carrol Unviersity's honors program, Robert Kolesar, and Kevin McKenna, FCRH '07.
"During the student sessions we were able to form a council, draft a mission statement, and commit to a social justice project that we would work on at our respective schools but together as well to form a national Jesuit honors presence," Antonella explained.
During the social justice session, the student representatives decided to dedicate their efforts during the 2007-2008 school year to the issues related to the Iraq War. Jesuit honors programs across the country will participate in the movement, which will begin by collecting school supplies for Operation Iraqi Children. To facilitate this effort, the conference establised a seven-member board of directors from the Jesuit colleges. William Moccia, FCRH '09 was chosen to represent Fordham on the board.
These various honors programs are diverse in their specific courses of study and admissions requirements. Each program shared its individual focus at this conference. The conference began with presentations by each university's representative, who described both the academic and extracurricular pursuits of their individual programs.
Fordham College at Rose Hill Honors Program directed by Dr. Harry Nasuti, was founded in 1950 and follows an alternative core curriculum. This core is an integrated study of art, history, literature, music, philosophy, theology, mathematics and science. For each of the first four semesters, students focus their studeies on a speficic time period, beginning with the ancient period and working their way to the contemporary era. The program is limited to approximately 25 students each year.
Other honors programs discussed the unique activities that they hold each year. These activities included Loyola Marymount's Honors Quidditch Tournament, Canisius College's Honors Talent show, and Creighton University's 60-second Lecture Series, in which professors are asked to lecture on a given topic for no more than a minute.
Sarah Cascone, FCRH '08, a member of the honors program at Fordham, said the conference was very successful.
"I got to speak with some really intelligent and passionate students from across the country. I am really proud of the student-led social justice initiative, and I think that as a nationwide movement backed by such capable and motivated people we can achieve a great deal."
Although they are slightly different, the Jesuit honors programs are united in their focus on the intellectual and personal growth of their students and in their goal of training students who serve their communities and act as leaders within them.
Next year's AJCU honors conference will be hosted by Regis College in Denver, Colorado.
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