Welcome Back!
The Honors Program has an exciting line up of events for this Winter semester! Chocolate Chats on Fridays at noon, Nights at the Maeser Advisement Events, and Thesis Workshops all continue throughout the semester, with the first Chocolate Chat and thesis workshop coming up next week! Look for the return of favorite events, the Honors Banquet and Ball, in late February and our annual Honors Conference in March. This month, mark your calendar for Friday January 21^st when HSLC will kick things off with the Winter Opening Social at 5:30 pm in the BYU Bowling and Games Center!

Honors students not only expect the unexpected – we have a lot of fun along the way!

Fall Recap
During the Fall 2021 semester, Honors students thrived through learning, socializing, and discussing in weekly events. While the Honors community adjusted to the “new normal,” safety remained the top priority as we learned to expect the unexpected and adjust plans accordingly. Here are some of the top events from last semester.

Opening Social Carnival
September

Students gathered to make connections with their peers, find new opportunities, and learn more about the Unexpected Connections courses. They conversed while enjoying carnival treats and games. To get a glimpse of the fun of BYU Honors, here is the drone footage of this event.

Book of the Year Events
All Year

This year, the Honors community is reading The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert. To kick off the reading, Professor Rick Gill, Biology Department Chair, presented a framework of creation and adaptation in history. Later, Professor Chip Oscarson, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, taught about the end of nature and a panel of professors spoke about how students can change the grim future Kolbert predicts. During the Directors Night, Professor Brooks Britt, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Geology, gave a guided tour of the BYU Museum of Paleontology.

Chocolate Chats
All Year

Every other week, a professor talks about their research interest and Honors students ask questions and discuss the implications of the research in their own fields. In the fall, we heard from Tyler Griffin (Associate Dean of Religion), Chip Oscarson (Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education), Ben Schilaty (Honor Code Administrator), James LeCheminant (Associate Professor of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science), Kori Wakamatsu (Associate Professor of Dance), and Mariana Richardson (Adjunct Professor of Management Communication). Thanks to all of these faculty who were so willing to share their time and expertise with our Honors community.

Disciple Scholar
October

Dr. Laura Bridgewater, Dr. Frank Christianson, Lisa Barrager, and Dr. John Bingham joined the Honors Program group to share their experiences of incorporating faith into their careers. Students had the opportunity to ask the panel their specific questions. Some of their key points included being intentional about where we focus our attention and how proactive thinking is the substance of great leaders.

Murder Mystery Night
October

The Murder Mystery event was a night to remember for those who ventured to solve the “Curse of Karl's Crypt!” Honors students, dressed in their finest expedition garb and assuming "new identities," divided into rooms throughout the Maeser building to help solve the mystery. It was a great night at the Maeser Building!

Thanks to HSLC for all of their hard work in putting these events together and keeping our community connected!