Honors Spotlight
Isabella Keller
Name: Isabella Keller
Major: Linguistics
Minor: Russian and Psychology
Graduation: Winter 2028
Instagram: @bellabookangaroo
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I love the idea of looking at things through every discipline possible. Ultimately that’s how the world works, everyone adding in their perspective on an issue. Each person coming from thousands of different backgrounds. Read more about Isabella here.
Major: Linguistics
Minor: Russian and Psychology
Graduation: Winter 2028
Instagram: @bellabookangaroo
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I love the idea of looking at things through every discipline possible. Ultimately that’s how the world works, everyone adding in their perspective on an issue. Each person coming from thousands of different backgrounds. Read more about Isabella here.
Jarom Hickenlooper
Name: Jarom Hickenlooper
Major: Psychology & German
Minor: Sociology
Graduation: June 2023
Instagram: @hickenlooperj
What are your favorite books? / What are you currently reading?
I recently finished Anna Karenina and it is now one of my favorite books.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Make sure to find a balance between school, work, and still taking time for friends and relationships. Read more about Jarom here.
Major: Psychology & German
Minor: Sociology
Graduation: June 2023
Instagram: @hickenlooperj
What are your favorite books? / What are you currently reading?
I recently finished Anna Karenina and it is now one of my favorite books.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
Make sure to find a balance between school, work, and still taking time for friends and relationships. Read more about Jarom here.
Madilee Gulbrandsen
Name: Madilee Gulbrandsen
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2027
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The Honors Ball! I had such a great time meeting the other honors students and learning all sorts of new dances! The speaker was amazing (and so was the food)!! I had a great time and would highly recommend going next year if you couldn't make it. Read more about Madilee here.
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2027
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The Honors Ball! I had such a great time meeting the other honors students and learning all sorts of new dances! The speaker was amazing (and so was the food)!! I had a great time and would highly recommend going next year if you couldn't make it. Read more about Madilee here.
Andrew Nicholls
Name: Andrew Nicholls
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Anything I can fit in!
Graduation Date: April 2026
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The Murder Mystery dinner last semester was fabulous and I had so much fun. Everyone got really into playing their parts, the deaths were dramatic, and the setup in the reading room was perfect. Plus, whatever sparkly juice was being served was intoxicatingly delicious. Read more about Andrew here.
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Anything I can fit in!
Graduation Date: April 2026
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The Murder Mystery dinner last semester was fabulous and I had so much fun. Everyone got really into playing their parts, the deaths were dramatic, and the setup in the reading room was perfect. Plus, whatever sparkly juice was being served was intoxicatingly delicious. Read more about Andrew here.
Lorin Utsch
Name: Lorin Utsch
Major: Political Science
Minor: International Development, Communications
Graduation: April 2024
What is something you can never be found without?
So freshman year at BYU I became very passionate about the outrageous sprinkle prices at all the nearby ice cream stores, so I had a phase where I would just carry my own sprinkles with me in my purse everywhere I went so I could save some money but not have to lose out on the happiness that comes from adding sprinkles.Read more about Lorin here.
Major: Political Science
Minor: International Development, Communications
Graduation: April 2024
What is something you can never be found without?
So freshman year at BYU I became very passionate about the outrageous sprinkle prices at all the nearby ice cream stores, so I had a phase where I would just carry my own sprinkles with me in my purse everywhere I went so I could save some money but not have to lose out on the happiness that comes from adding sprinkles.
Joseph Nielson
Name: Joseph Nielson
Major: Computer Engineering
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @JosephNielson1
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The disciple scholar lectures have consistently been excellent and enjoyable opportunities for me to learn and grow. I have changed perspectives and gained new insights on civil rights, self-discipline, and creativity, to name a few. Read more about Joseph here.
Major: Computer Engineering
Graduation: April 2024
Instagram: @JosephNielson1
What has been your favorite Honors experience?
The disciple scholar lectures have consistently been excellent and enjoyable opportunities for me to learn and grow. I have changed perspectives and gained new insights on civil rights, self-discipline, and creativity, to name a few. Read more about Joseph here.
Miranda Seminario
Name: Miranda Seminario
Major: Philosophy
Graduation: 2028
Instagram: @miranda.sem
I’ve always loved learning! I graduated a year early from high school and have loved my first year of study at BYU. I’ve wanted to go into law since I was in middle school and hope to practice immigration law. However, I had a really hard time choosing an undergraduate major because I am interested in so many things! Read more about Miranda here.
Major: Philosophy
Graduation: 2028
Instagram: @miranda.sem
I’ve always loved learning! I graduated a year early from high school and have loved my first year of study at BYU. I’ve wanted to go into law since I was in middle school and hope to practice immigration law. However, I had a really hard time choosing an undergraduate major because I am interested in so many things! Read more about Miranda here.
Timothy Grigg
Name: Timothy Grigg
Major: Mathematics
Graduation: June 2028
Instagram: @qui.gon.tim
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to join the Honors Program because I love making new connections. I wanted classes that would challenge me and make me think. I'm currently in HONRS 220, "Supernatural Creatures in Life and Literature," where I get to explain the biology of mythical creatures like vampires and dragons. It's interesting, fun, and challenging, and I am excited to see what the other classes are like. Read more about Timothy here.
Major: Mathematics
Graduation: June 2028
Instagram: @qui.gon.tim
Why did you decide to join the Honors Program?
I decided to join the Honors Program because I love making new connections. I wanted classes that would challenge me and make me think. I'm currently in HONRS 220, "Supernatural Creatures in Life and Literature," where I get to explain the biology of mythical creatures like vampires and dragons. It's interesting, fun, and challenging, and I am excited to see what the other classes are like. Read more about Timothy here.
Meili Hollingshaus
Name: Meili Hollingshaus
Major: Theatre Arts Studies
Minor: Editing
Graduation: December 2028
Instagram: @meili_holli.day
I'm a freshman from Orem, and I basically grew up on the BYU campus since both my parents are professors here. I did lots of theatre throughout junior high and high school, and my favorite roles were Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing" and Black Stache in "Peter and the Starcatcher." Read more about Meili here.
Major: Theatre Arts Studies
Minor: Editing
Graduation: December 2028
Instagram: @meili_holli.day
I'm a freshman from Orem, and I basically grew up on the BYU campus since both my parents are professors here. I did lots of theatre throughout junior high and high school, and my favorite roles were Dogberry in "Much Ado About Nothing" and Black Stache in "Peter and the Starcatcher." Read more about Meili here.
Tate Staker
Name: Tate Staker
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @tatestaker
Tate is an aspiring pre-med student from Dripping Springs, Texas. He discovered his passion for life science while shadowing physicians in clinics in Utah and Las Vegas. Tate enjoys making music with his friends, working on his small-engine motorcycle, and attending Fuego Fridays. Read more about Tate here.
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2026
Instagram: @tatestaker
Tate is an aspiring pre-med student from Dripping Springs, Texas. He discovered his passion for life science while shadowing physicians in clinics in Utah and Las Vegas. Tate enjoys making music with his friends, working on his small-engine motorcycle, and attending Fuego Fridays. Read more about Tate here.