On April 23, 2022, Honors College seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall of 2022 were recognized for their membership in the college
Following the welcome and opening remarks, students were able to socialize and give some thoughts on the luncheon and what it meant to them. Brooke Mellon (She/Her) is graduating this upcoming May with a degree in Integrated Mathematics. When asked about how she feels about getting to come to the luncheon, she said, “I enjoy seeing all of our peers, who I haven’t seen in forever, come together to celebrate the final celebration of our honors at Kent State!” This 36th Annual Senior Honors Luncheon was the first in-person luncheon to recognize graduating Honors College students in over two years, due to the interruption of the pandemic. Graduating seniors for the 2021 academic year were recognized in a virtual ceremony, and heard remarks from Kent State University’s President Todd Diacon via the online program.
With the transition of the event from virtual in the years past to now in-person, a Livestream was offered for friends and family to tune in for the event and watch the ceremony. Honors College Director of Academic Programs Frank Congin (He/Him) commented on the annual gathering, saying, “The luncheon is the college’s way of celebrating our students’ tremendous academic achievements. This year in particular is special, because this class has thrived despite the pandemic. We know that they will go on and do wonderful things in life and we are so happy to have played a part in their academic formation.”
Honors College faculty member Bill Morris and Kent State and Honors College alum Lisa Dunick were honored during the luncheon for their great accomplishments both within and outside of the Honors College. Morris was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Honors Faculty Award and Dunick was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Honors Alumni Award. Both thanked the Honors College for recognizing them and all that the students and faculty do to keep a tradition of excellence going throughout the years.
A majority of the presentation at the luncheon consisted of recognition of the Honors College seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall of 2022. Seniors had the opportunity to be acknowledged and commended for their efforts and drive to complete all Honors College graduation requirements. Each Honors College advisor had an opportunity during the luncheon to stand on stage and announce their advisees by name and major, while having them stand up with their Honors College medallion, which they may wear at Commencement. In addition, many students were recognized for completing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project and the title of their work was announced during the ceremony. Students who had been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the most prestigious honors society in the country, as a junior or senior, were also commended for their efforts. After all students stood and were announced, they were led by Congin and were sworn in as Honors College alumni with a secret Senior Honors Oath as they finished out their college journey.
The Honors College congratulated the seniors by commemorating their time together with a final class photo after the event concluded. All spring 2022 graduates will be recognized by the university May 12-15, 2022 during the annual Commencement ceremony. For the full schedule and to find out more about Commencement, visit https://www.kent.edu/commencement for more details.
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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Honors College Student and Staff Sitting in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom
PHOTO CAPTION 2: Honors College Seniors Gathered on the Stairs Behind the Kent State Student Center
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312