By Sydney McDonald
On December 14th, 2023, the Honors College hosted the Honors College graduation ceremony in the Solarium of the Plemmons Student Union. The ceremony was a celebration of Honors College students’ cumulative work in completing their University Honors requirements, including their individual Honors theses. A record-breaking 18 fall Honors College graduates gathered with family, friends, mentors, and other academic associates to laugh, reminisce, and ultimately celebrate.
The December 2023 graduates each spoke sharing detailed plans for their next chapters including: admittance to graduate programs, entrance to the workforce, and gap years to engage in travel. Students took the opportunity to reflect on their academic journey, as well as give thanks to family members, friends, and faculty in addition to their own peers. Their reflections included small tales of life in Cone and Summit Hall with fellow Honors College classmates and words of encouragement they had received throughout their undergraduate years from Honors College faculty and staff.
Dr. Vicky Klima, interim dean of the Honors College, shared congratulations for each graduate and thanks to family members, faculty, and the Honors College staff. She stated, “Graduates, we hope that you will continue to challenge yourselves by seeking understanding and collaborating across differences as you move into the next phase of your life.” This was Dean Klima’s very first commencement ceremony as acting interim dean for the Honors College.
Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, provost and executive vice chancellor, and Dr. Jeff Vahlbusch, previous dean of the Honors College, joined as special guests. From the podium, Dr. Vahlbusch offered his own congratulations. He expressed his appreciation for his experience working with these graduates during their time in the Honors College and joy at seeing them complete University Honors and graduate.
Dr. Klima shared some parting words of wisdom with the graduating class,
“Graduates, we are so very proud of you. We hope you will stay connected with the Honors College as you move on to the next stage of your lives. We have been honored to work with you for the past four years and would be honored to continue celebrating your accomplishments with you into the future. Our support for you, interest in you, and appreciation of you do not end today. You will always be a part of our Honors community.”
Once again, the Honors College congratulates its fall 2023 graduates. We wish you luck in all of your future endeavors and look forward to the opportunity of continuing to celebrate all of your accomplishments!
Top photo features Dr. Vicky Klima, interim dean of the Honors College, at the Fall 2023 commencement ceremony. The commencement ceremony celebrated 18 Honors graduates and was Dr. Klima’s first commencement ceremony as interim dean. Photo by Sydney McDonald.
