Learning Community

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Special Events

All Honors students are invited to participate in intellectual, creative and social activities throughout the year. These events are great opportunities to learn something new and get to know everyone in a relaxed atmosphere.

OurFood for Thought features speakers from campus departments and the local community. Past speakers and topics include:

• Dr. Karen Cody, Modern Languages Department, “What does it Mean to ‘Know’ a Language?”
• Dr. Robert Dowler, Biology Department, “Conservation of the Last Remaining Native Rodents of the Galapagos Islands”
• Honors Program students Jared Bird and Jamie Mandujano, “Societal and Cultural Impacts of Terrorism”
• Dr. David Carter, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, “Sustainability - To Boldly Go…”
• Dr. John Eusebio Klingemann, Political Science and Criminal Justice Department, “Villismo, State Politics and Social Mobility: Dissertation as a Fullbrighter in Mexico, 2006-2007”

The Honors Student Association and the Honors Program plan frequent informal gatherings in the Honors Lounge or at the ASU Lake House, located on Lake Nasworthy. Honors Program social events include games and activities that allow students a chance to put aside their books, play for awhile and, of course, enjoy refreshments. Some of the events planned this year include a new student orientation and welcome party, a barbeque, game night, a Thanksgiving pot luck lunch, a holiday party and white elephant exchange, a luau and the annual Awards Banquet.

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Community Engagement

Honors Program students selected for the Community Leadership Initiative gain valuable leadership and networking opportunities upon placement on local community boards, where they serve as ad-hoc, non-voting members of the boards. The students learn about the needs of the local community and become invested in community involvement and service. The community boards gain valuable insights from enthusiatic students, as well as expand their volunteer base. Board participants include the non-profit and governmental organizations.

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Leadership Opportunities

Honors students are actively involved in organizations throughout the ASU campus. There are also opportunities for Honors students to fill leadership roles within the Honors Program.

Honors Leadership Forum – This is a one-day program designed to engage and educate students in the various styles and characteristics of leadership, communication, ethical considerations in individual and group decision making, goal planning and community service. All Honors students are encouraged to participate.

Mentors – Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Mentors assist new Honors students in their transition from high school to college life. Mentors also serve as peer resources, helping new students better understand Angelo State University and the Honors Program.

Emissaries – Sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Emissaries are public representatives of the Honors Program. They attend events, both on- and off-campus, that require representation of the Honors Program. Emissaries discuss the Honors Program with prospective students as well as members of the ASU and general communities.

HSA Officers – Positions include president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, webmaster, historian and intramural liaison. Elections for the Honors Student Association (HSA) are held in mid-April. Officers are elected to serve for one year and chair Service, Fundraising, Legacy, Social, Homecoming and Recycling committees.

Resident Assistants – Texan Hall Honors housing resident assistants must be sophomores, juniors or seniors.

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Honors Student Association

The Honors Student Association (HSA) brings together students who enroll in Honors courses at Angelo State University and is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the Honors experience. HSA members enjoy many benefits and opportunities, including meeting with distinguished speakers, taking educational trips to places like the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and participating in public service activities.

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Cultural and Enrichment Activities

One of the goals of the Honors Program is to provide students with opportunities for personal enrichment through access to cultural events. We provide tickets for students to attend theatre, symphony, ballet, art, rodeo and other activities in the San Angelo area.  Additionally, some Honors classes take trips out of town to visit museums and attend musical and cultural events. Examples of cultural experiences Honors students enjoy include:

The Arts @ ASU
Angelo Civic Theatre
San Angelo Symphony
San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo
Old Chicken Farm Art Center
Angelo Civic Ballet
HIST 1301 Honors Class Trip to Lubbock
HONR 2301 Honors Class Trip to Austin
HONR 2302 Honors Class Trip to Dallas

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Carry Forward Program

Honors students receive exclusive admittance into the Carry Forward Program, which helps them identify their intellectual and interpersonal strengths and determine what they want to do after graduation. Dedicated Honors Program staff members help them reach their career goals, including graduate school, professional school or placement in a competitive job field. Over 90 percent of our Honors graduates have gone directly to graduate or professional school.

During the fall semester of their graduating year, some of our students will be selected to undergo a final interview conducted by a committee. The committee will assess a student’s achievements while at Angelo State University. The committee will then write a composite letter of reference for the student to use in job applications or applications to professional or graduate schools.

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Community Service

All Honors students are encouraged to give their time and energy to projects that help others and the environment. The Honors Student Association vice president is the chairperson of the Service Committee, which identifies service projects for HSA. Some of the opportunities include visits to nursing home/assisted living facilities, reading programs for children, Adopt-a-Spot, volunteering at the soup kitchen or recycling center, Rebuilding Together, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and Meals for the Elderly.