Recent UW Grads Value Honors Program Experience

July 19, 2005 For Mary McGinty of Newcastle and Barnett Sporkin Morrison of Meeteetse, both 2005 University of Wyoming graduates, joining the UW Honors Program was a natural progression from high school. They wouldn't know the full value of the experience until it was over.
"I'm more appreciative now than when I started the program," McGinty says. "As a first year student, I didn't have the foresight to see that the choice I was making would be as valuable to my future as it has been."

Four years later, McGinty's experience in the program helped her land a job in Boston with Accenture, a global management consulting, technology service and outsourcing company.
According to Honors Program Director Duncan Harris, the honors experience culminates in an independent senior research project that gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty members in their chosen field of study. McGinty explored ways to optimize the efficiency of the Safe Ride shuttle service.

"My senior honors research project forced me to go in depth with a computer simulation program and ended up giving me a major advantage over my competition in the job search," she says. "My employer recognized my involvement in the Honors Program as a point of differentiation."
Sporkin Morrison says he was quick to recognize the value of immediate on campus support and resources offered to him as an incoming freshman, but reflects on the overall experience as more than just a readily available support group.

"The program provides an opportunity to have fun, think outside of the box, meet new people and feel like you learned something at the end of the day," he says.

Honors program students enroll in two honors classes their freshman year and one each subsequent year. Courses are taught by some of the top professors on campus and are known for promoting class debate.

Not only is open discussion encouraged, it's sometimes coerced, according to Sporkin Morrison, an agricultural business graduate working toward his master's degree in agricultural economics at UW.

"Believe it or not," he says, "it's actually enjoyable and somewhat relaxing to go to a class where you can speak your mind and communicate openly with other students."

McGinty agrees, saying she "learned how to think" in her honors classes and the curriculum complemented the coursework in her degree program.

While McGinty and Sporkin Morrison had demanding undergraduate careers, both say the program is not as time consuming as it first appears. Among other things, McGinty was Associated Students of UW (ASUW) vice president and involved in Delta Delta Delta sorority, while Sporkin Morrison headed Mortar Board (senior honor society) and was a member of the UW men's rugby team. They insist joining the honors program does not inhibit extracurricular involvement or a social life.
"Some may have the misconception that the honors program is a meeting place for stereotypical 'nerds'. Instead, it's full of creative, unique and talented students who I'll be proud to know in 20 years," McGinty says. "I won't be surprised to turn on the TV one day and see an old Honors Program friend enjoying fame and fortune."

Aside from the chance to take small classes from the university's top professors, the Honors Program provides study abroad opportunities, specialized housing, and an on campus student lounge complete with classroom, computer facilities and office staff.

Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005