For our final week this term, we take a look at three stories from the 2005-2015 era that highlight the growth and expansion of the Honors College. These stories reflect the college’s evolution in terms of space, technology and personnel — each contributing to the high-quality learning environment we value today.
This 2010 Honors Link magazine feature explores the longstanding connection between the Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) and the Honors College. Home to the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, this collection has provided invaluable research opportunities for honors students for over a decade. Many Honors College students have worked in SCARC, contributing to cataloguing, event planning and archival research. In turn, honors chemistry students have gained unique access to these materials for their research.
"This article from the 2015 edition of Honors Link follows Honors College graduate Matt Kaiser, who entered OSU as a finance major but found his true passion in biology. By staying open to new opportunities, he uncovered a love for exploring and communicating complex scientific ideas. In this story, Matt reflects on how he discovered and deepened his interests, built community and found support through the HC every step of the way." — Ava Wittman, Honors College Student Writer
"This 2009 "Honors Link" feature highlights an honors course that gained national attention, even earning a feature on NPR. Taught by Emeritus Professor Mike Burgett, the cultural entomology course challenged students to move beyond fear and see the insect world through a new lens — one of curiosity and appreciation. Using humor and ethical inquiry, Burgett encouraged students to rethink their relationship with insects, fostering a deeper understanding of their place in the natural world.
"This feature from the 2015 "Honors Link magazine" showcases an honors history 202 course that reimagined how students engage with the past. Instead of relying on textbooks and lectures, instructors Thomas and Anne Bahde filled tables with primary sources — original letters, maps and documents — and let students uncover history for themselves. This hands-on approach resonated with both history and non-history majors, bringing historical moments to life and reflecting the HC's dedication to interdisciplinary and experiential learning." — Ava Wittman, HC Student Writer
"From the 2011 "Honors Link" magazine, this story highlights Phil McFadden’s Protein Portraits, a course that blends art and science through artistic representations of protein structures.
"From Southern Oregon to Mexico, this 2010 "Honors Link" story showcased HC students learning beyond the classroom. Whether they were exploring the beauty of the Oregon high desert, participating in an alternative spring break at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or helping others learn English, these students were engaged with the world around them. For more information on HC study abroad programs, visit beav.es/cUW." — Ava Wittman, HC Student Writer
"This week, we spotlight a photo from the 2011 edition of the "Honors Link" magazine, featuring a complete list of HC graduates from the 2010-2011 year. The portrait captures nearly half of the graduating class in one frame—a feat that would be much harder today, given the HC’s significant growth. With over 210 graduates last year, this piece serves as a reminder of how much the HC community has expanded over the past 15 years." — Ava Wittman, HC Student Writer
"This article, from the spring 2006 issue of the Honors College Chronicle, the student-run publication in the college, recounts the inspiring journey of an Honors College graduate who discovered their true path through their honors experience. An extracurricular activity, initially pursued to enhance a resume, became a genuine passion. Equally compelling is how the writer, Jennifer Moser, ’06 (H.B.S., microbiology), managed to integrate seemingly conflicting interests without abandoning her original goals.
The Honors College thesis project has long been a defining feature of the Honors experience. As a graduation requirement and one of the most rewarding milestones for students, the thesis has been a recurring theme throughout the Honors College’s archives. Across decades, it appears from new perspectives, showcasing its significance and impact.
