"To close out the 30th anniversary series, this final installment highlights three stories that showcase the achievements of Honors College students, emboldened by their access to unique opportunities and passion for learning.
"This week’s article from the 2024 Honors Link spotlights Dennis Adams’ popular Honors College colloquium, History of Commerce through Board Games. In this class, students spend the first half of each session presenting on a historical topic, then dive into a related board game during the second half. The result is a laid-back, collaborative environment where students can learn about history and strategy, while engaging in a little friendly competition.
"This story from the 2020 Honors Link reflects on the first 25 years of the Honors College and 65 years of honors education at Oregon State, tracing its evolution from a bold idea to a thriving academic community. Featuring alumni reflections and a visual timeline of key milestones, the article shows how the college’s growth hasn’t followed a straight line — shaped instead by persistence, creativity and transformation.
"This article from the 2024 Honors Link features Jose Torres, the first Oregon State student to earn an honors degree entirely online. After volunteering at the Guam Wildlife Refuge during his Navy service, Torres was inspired to pursue a degree in fisheries, wildlife and conservation sciences — and chose to apply to the Honors College as well. That decision helped open the door to hands-on thesis research and a career-launching opportunity with the United States Geological Service.
"From the 2022 Honors Link, this story captures a landmark expansion: the launch of one of the first fully online honors degrees in the country. It highlights the growing presence of Ecampus in the Honors College, led by Dean Toni Doolen, and reflects a broader commitment to making honors education more accessible. Grounded in lessons from the pandemic, the piece is ultimately about innovation, equity and what’s possible when we reimagine where — and how — honors learning happens." — Ava Wittman, HC Student Writer
"From the 2021 Honors Link, this piece revisits the experience of Ray North, one of the first students to join OSU’s honors program in 1959. As he reflects on a pivotal advising conversation and the ways it shaped his life, the story becomes a quiet celebration of possibility, perspective and the value of support when it matters most." — Ava Wittman, Honors College Student Writer
"This story, published only last year, celebrates the success of the HC on Dam Proud Day, an annual 24-hour giving marathon at Oregon State University in which donors come together to build funding for over 100 programs. Last year, 162 donors provided $50,000 to support HC scholarships. This 18 percent increase from the year before set a new record for the HC and set high hopes for the years to come as the HC continues to expand.
"This heartwarming article from the 2019 “Honors Link” features the mother of an honors student, Kathy Pinard, and shares her experience as her son, Zac, navigated his time in the Honors College. Kathy found herself impressed by the growth of the HC and, wanting to get involved, joined the Honors College Parent and Family Leadership Circle and, eventually, the Honors College Board of Regents. Their story is a reminder that the HC community extends beyond students and faculty, and the opportunities it provides do not stop at students." — Ava Wittman, Honors College Student Writer
"Honors students are always looking ahead, whether it’s to their next class, their thesis, or life after OSU. This “Honors Link” article from 2018 explores how the HC experience helps students develop skills that matter beyond college — collaborating across disciplines, tackling long-term projects and making connections that last. From working with alumni to gaining hands-on experience, there are countless ways students prepare for what comes next." Ava Wittman, Honors College Student Writer
"From the 2017 “Honors Link” magazine, this story highlights Randall Milstein’s colloquium, The Art of Science/The Science of Art, which explores the deep connections between the two ways of understanding. In this course, Milstein encourages students to view their artistic abilities as an asset to their scientific pursuits rather than a separate hobby. He emphasizes the importance of integrating art and science rather than treating them as opposing perspectives, reinforcing the Honors College’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning." — Ava Wittman, Honors College student writer
