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Messages from our
Deans & Faculty

A Message from the Dean

Dear Students,
 
The past two weeks have been extremely challenging for the entire Wilkes Honors College community. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of your faculty and the staff here at the college. In turn, I want to tell you how proud your faculty members are of you. On Thursday and Friday last week, we called every single person teaching a course for the college. Every one of them told us that they are keenly aware of the difficulties you and your families are facing in this difficult time and they were truly impressed with the adjustments you have made to virtual instruction. Each faculty member will be working to communicate their grading expectations as we enter the window for choosing pass/fail grading options next week. I urge you to continue keeping up with your coursework to the best of your ability through this difficult time. Please carefully consider the repercussions (for GPA, scholarships, acceptance into graduate, medical, or other professional schools) before choosing the pass/fail option in your courses. We will be posting and circulating guidelines about the pass/fail option for anyone considering a medical career (as well as more general instructions for all students) on the college webpage this week.
 
I also want you to know that we are working on a virtual version of both the research and scholarly symposium and the medallion ceremony. For those of you graduating this semester, we will be creating a website to celebrate all our regular awards, your thesis titles and abstracts, and speeches by the regular platform party. I realize that this cannot replace the feeling of walking across the stage. You should know that president Kelly has promised that each one of you will be given the opportunity to participate in an upcoming live graduation ceremony.
 
Finally, I want to remind you that financial aid remains available and I encourage you to reach out via email to finaidjc@fau.edu if you find yourself in extreme financial difficulty. Eligibility will be reviewed on a case by case basis, including financial need, circumstances, etc.
 
Please continue sharing your stories, reaching out to your classmates, and supporting each other through this crisis. Feel free to email Anna Holmes holmesa@fau.edu with any stories you might want to share. The WHC community is strongest when we work together for mutual support. On behalf of the faculty and staff, I thank you for being such amazing students and for making us stronger together!
 
 
Dr. Timothy J. Steigenga
Interim Dean, Wilkes Honors College
Florida Atlantic University
561-799-8579
tsteigen@fau.edu
 
Quotes, messages, news and humor from your faculty

Submitted by Julie Earles


Before the closure, (pictured above, left to right) Taylor Haygood, Kevin Lanning, Chris Strain, Julie Earles, and Steve Engle enjoyed an LLI lecture by Douglas Brickley, a presidential historian.


Submitted by Nicholas Baima

"Don't seek that all comes about should come about as you wish, but wish that everything that comes about should come about just as it does, and then you'll have a calm and happy life" Epictetus, Handbook 8
 


Submitted by Jon Moore

The following link is Dr. Jon Moore's recent talk on the BP oil spill given at the Florida Oceanographic Society's Coastal Science Lecture Series on 4 Mar 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ1RX7DGye0

Campus Announcements

Student Government is here for you.

Students please use the google doc below for reaching out to Student Government with any questions or suggestions you may have:
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCK2NfsyjtD-7HmQjovBYGj2TDmIHYrXIL7BnTp9_m907ZOQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

 
Calling all visual artists and poets!
No matter if you are an expert artist or a passionate expert-to-be, this contest is for all students, staff, or faculty who are passionate about the arts.
 
Both of these contests will be open starting on Monday, March 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for entering your pieces will be Wednesday, April 15, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.
 
For additional details and instructions on how to submit your works of art, please go to the corresponding google forms: Confinement Poetry Contest or/and Quarantine Are Contest
 
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
 
Please show us your artistic creations that have been inspired by these times of social distancing!


 
Harvard Computer Science Puzzle Day

Dear Honors College students! Put together teams and compete at the Harvard computer science puzzle day! The competition begins this Friday and ends on Monday.
CS50x Puzzle Day 2020
CS50x Puzzle Day is an online adaptation of an event we hold at Harvard each year, an opportunity to collaborate on a team with classmates, family, and friends on a packet of puzzles (i.e., logic problems). The event is open to everyone around the world, whether taking CS50 or not. No prior CS experience required. Teams of size 2, 3, or 4 are encouraged, or you can participate on your own.
This year's event is indeed online-only. Team members must not gather in person, unless they already live together. All team members must instead collaborate online via chat, voice, or video. Doctors' orders!
Starts anytime after 00:00 on Friday, 3 April 2020, in your own time zone. Ends anytime before 23:59 on Monday, 6 April 2020, in your own time zone.
If you'd like to participate, register at https://cs50.ly/register anytime before 23:59 on Monday, 6 April 2020. Every member of your team should register as well.
If curious (and to practice!), here are last year's puzzles and solutions.

COVID-19 Challenge Competition


The following website is available with more information:
http://www.fau.edu/research/fau-wave/covid-19-change-challenge.php?fbclid=IwAR3o3OH8S1-WWzf-Nei1AImKOmyn_M4E2J8ebS7oN-npIIDHCkFt5Iparns

Diplomacy Program 
Leon Charney Diplomacy Program Application Process Coronavirus
 
Because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, the university has canceled all on-campus events. As such, it is not possible to hold information sessions for students interested in the university’s Diplomacy Program. This document explains the basic elements of the Program and outlines the process for applying for the fall 2020 semester. Additional information about the Program and the competitions in Washington, D.C. and New York City can be found at fau.edu/diplomacy.
 
Program Overview
 
Established in 1996, the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program operates on an annual basis. New students enter in the fall term, registering for INR 3502: International Organization (Boca), INR 2002: Intro to World Politics (University Honors Program) or POS 4932: Honors International Organization (Wilkes Honors College).  These three classes train for the National Model United Nations competition in Washington, D.C., November 4-8.
 
Students who successfully complete the fall semester class are eligible to continue in the Program during the spring semester and compete in Nationals in New York City. These students register for either INR 4503: Advanced Diplomacy (Boca) or POS 4932: Honors Advanced Diplomacy (Wilkes Honors College).
 
All Diplomacy Program classes are three credits.
 
Students in the Program are assigned a country to represent as “diplomats” and are placed on a committee (General Assembly, Security Council, High Commission for Refugees, etc.), each committee attempts to resolve two topics at the conference. The students stay in country character throughout the competitions by addressing the topics from the political perspective of the assigned country.
 
Over the course of the semester, students learn public speaking, debate skills and conflict resolution strategies that they will use at Nationals. Research on their assigned country and committee topics is compiled in a 2” binder that they take to the competition.
 
 
Fall Competition (D.C.)
 
The FAU Diplomacy Program delegation will be composed of approximately 80 students, depending on the volume of qualified applicants. The delegation will depart for Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, November 4. The competition begins on Friday, November 6 and concludes on Sunday, November 8. The delegation returns to South Florida after closing ceremonies Sunday evening.
 
Costs of Participation
 
Expenses for the competition include delegation registration ($195), delegate fees ($95 per student), hotel ($220 per student) and airfare ($375 per student), totaling approximately $885.00 per student depending on the exact cost of airfare. Each student is asked to pay a participation fee of $150.
 
All students in the Program are awarded a named Diplomacy Scholarship that covers the remaining $735 in expenses. The Program also purchases the research binders and does not assign a book for the course.
 
Application Process
 
To apply for fall inclusion in the Program, applicants must complete the 1-page application found on the webpage as well as submit a brief statement of interest. All applications should be emailed to jmorton@fau.edu. We do not need to receive transcripts as those can be pulled for review using the student’s Z-number.
 
It is imperative that applicants understand that we need students who are mature, dependable, punctual, open-minded to training in the Program’s system and attend every class session. Students who do not meet these standards are dismissed from the Program prior to the competition.
 
NOTE: make certain to complete the correct application (Standard is for non-Wilkes Honors College students in Boca, Honors is for students in the Jupiter-based Wilkes Honors College).  Students in the University Honors Program (UHP) do not complete the application, they are placed in the Program during advising with the UHP office.
 
Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Students will be notified when they can register for the required course.
Scholarships Available
  • Are you considering teaching as a career? Do you volunteer in the public school system or have an interest in doing so? If so, the O’Hagan Mentoring Young Lives Scholarship may be a match for you. The scholarship provides funding for students with financial need who volunteer 50 hours or more mentoring young people in the public school system. If you are interested in applying or want further information on this scholarship contact Dr. Monica Maldonado mmaldonado@fau.edu.
  • Are you a STEM student with an interest in tutoring young people? You should consider applying for the Alice and Don Hudson Scholarship at the Edna Runner Center. This scholarship provides financial assistance to Wilkes Honors College students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to community service. Students may receive up to $2500 per semester in scholarship funds to be applied toward their tuition and fees during the fall, spring, and summer semesters for up to six consecutive semesters. The goal of this scholarship is to develop well-rounded, skilled, and committed individuals who are motivated to engage in STEM education and outreach activities at the Edna Runner Tutorial Center in Jupiter.  Preference will be given to applicants with financial need who demonstrate a commitment to community service, academic excellence, and the ability to tutor grade and middle school students in STEM education. Scholarship recipients will be required to complete a minimum of three credits (180 hours) of internship work with the Edna Runner Tutorial Center during each academic year the scholarship is received. You can find information on the approved organizations and how to apply here.

Stay Connected

With the recent news that we will neither be returning to campus anytime soon nor be having a formal commencement ceremony in May, WHC Senior, Christy LaFlamme started a Facebook Group to serve as a space for the Wilkes Honors College (WHC) Class of 2020 to stay in touch, exchange ideas, plan virtual gatherings, and share memories. 

Link to join to graduating WHC seniors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/229714311754845/

Campus Life has created a community Spotify playlist. Feel free to listen while studying or relaxing and add your own song contributions to the list! 
Jobs and Internships!
You can see our up to date list of internships on the Honors College website here!

Scholarship Opportunities
View current scholarship opportunities here.

Study Abroad Office Hours
Madison McShane is our Study Abroad Advisor who visits the Jupiter Campus to advise students on the many opportunities available. To schedule an appointment phone 561-297-1080 or email mmcshane@fau.edu.  

FAU Career Center
Appointments through (Skype, phone, email) via Handshake available M-F 8 AM to 5 PM. 
 
To schedule an appointment, please log on to your Handshake account – fau.joinhandshake.com.
Helpful Links
Honors College page for Current Students.
Current internship opportunities here.
Go to Student News to read more about upcoming events here.
Click here for today's library hours. 24/7 access to the lobby and computer lab is available to all students with a currently activated owl card.
Here's to hoping you all have enough toilet paper!

If you'd like to include an announcement in next week's newsletter please email the name, time, and location of the event to holmesa@fau.edu
by 5pm on Thursday. 

 
Click here to submit announcements. The deadline is
5 PM Thursday.