Sherman, Texas -- Austin College celebrated 26 students and their successful completion of the invitation-only Departmental Honors Program—as well as the program’s 60th anniversary—during a reception held in Wright Campus Center, Robert M. and Joyce Johnson Reception Gallery on April 29.
The Departmental Honors Program is designed to challenge students in their final year of undergraduate study to use their disciplinary training to delve deeper into a topic of interest associated with their major. The program emphasizes independent investigation and culminates in completion of a bachelor’s thesis or special research project. Each student must then defend their thesis in an oral examination administered by the student’s thesis committee, which consists of two faculty members from their major’s department, and one from another discipline. Successful completion of the Departmental Honors Program is indicated on the student’s diploma.
Those receiving Departmental Honors were:
Danielle Kido Amaegbo, Chemistry
Shreya Bhat, Psychology
Sahej Bhogal, Chemistry
Lee Campbell, History
Alyssa Cox, French
Meztly Diaz, Latin American & Iberian Studies
Niki Hamraei, Biology
Kailey Harshaw, Psychology
Sonja Huntwork, Anthropology
Muskaan Jaiswal, Biology
Deedee Jansen, Physics
Joli Kirkpatrick, Political Science
Abigail Le, Psychology
Mark Leonard, Physics
Vanesa Melchor, Chemistry
Erin Miller, Biology
Mason Moreau, Chemistry
Andromeda Newsom, English
Ella Owens, English
Frances Rogers, Classics
Trey Salyer, Classics
Alexis Taylor, Gender Studies
Cailey Varnell, Physics
Anna Villaseńor, Neuroscience
Aaron Welch, Chemistry
Micaiah Wetzold, Biology
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
