Category: SHC Events

DeHority Has Talent Debrief: Bringing Death Drops, Pokémon, and Gloria Gaynor Together

9/26/2017

By Cailon Nicoson

This semester’s DeHority Has Talent was an eclectic mix of impromptu stand-up, piano covers of Radiohead, and a death drop. Cailon Nicoson brings you all the highlights below.

Last Friday night was DeHority Complex's annual variety show, "DeHority Has Talent," and if you weren't there, then you definitely missed out.

Not only was this event an opportunity for free food, which every college student is on the search for, but it was also a chance for students living in DeHority to showcase their talents.

The night featured musical talents such as guitar, ukulele and piano playing, as well as singing. There was a very memorable, soulful rendition of “I Will Survive” which everyone was extremely hyped for. Dancing, slam poetry, and even comedy were brought into the acts as well. Throughout the night there was a steady stream of karaoke, which many people joined in jamming along to. Some highlights included the Pokémon theme song and “All Star” by Smash Mouth.

The night was definitely a good way to end a stressful week of classes and allowed everyone involved to appreciate the talents of those around us. Plus, everyone knows that it's really karaoke that makes the world go round after all.

Families Flock to the Backyard Bash

9/16/2017

By Noah Patterson

This weekend marks Ball State's 2017 Family Weekend, which means the Honors House's annual Backyard Bash is back again. If you missed the festivities, don't worry: News & Notes has got you covered.

Stardust Falls at the Honors Formal

2/24/2017

By Tanner Prewitt

The Student Center Ball was transformed last Friday as the Student Honors Council enchanted the evening. Honors College students were cordially invited to the Honors Formal, called The Stardust Ball. The evening was filled with music, dancing, and delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by the Cardinal Kitchen.

Prom dresses were removed from their plastic sleeves and suits were dusted off as students filled the ballroom, ready to have a spectacular evening.

“It was a really fun evening with friends,” Lydia Kotowski, a freshman political science and pre-med double-major, stated. “The food was also quite good.”

Not only were Honors students invited to the formal, but friends not in the Honors College could attend as well. Eric Peters, a first-year student in the College of Architecture and Planning, brought a non-Honors friend with him.

“It was a great evening to have fun with friends, especially ones that may not live on-campus or are in DeHority,” Peters said.

The minimal decorations created an impressive space that managed to charm everyone whom attended the Stardust Ball. Twinkle lights, candle lights, moss and pebbles, tulle, and wooden platters created the whimsical forest, while glittery Mason jars and golden balloons enchanted the ballroom with magic. There was even a Snapchat filter created by an SHC member that attendees could use when they posted pictures.

Kim Zinn, a freshman accounting and finance double-major, thoroughly enjoyed the evening. “The food, the music, and the decorations were wonderful! Everyone had a great time and danced the night away.”

It’s safe to say the evening was spell-binding!

Honors Students Crash into Spring Scheduling

11/1/2016

By Afrah Ali

Honors College students were invited by SHC to gain a sneak peak at the various courses and colloquia (along with the professors teaching the courses) being offered for the 2017 spring semester this past Thursday, October 25.

“I was in between a couple of classes, so this event really helped me decide. Seeing the professors provided me with a better feel of what classes to take,” freshman Taylor Scher said after attending the Student Honor Council’s Curriculum Crash Course.

SHC president Valerie Weingart explained how the event is a growing tradition within the Honors community. This was the third year for the event, and this year a table with graduate school options was a new addition for students.

“Since each section of a specific Honors course is taught by a different profesor, we put on this event for students and professors to meet face-to-face for a deeper grasp on the offered courses,” Weingart explained.

Although all Honors students received a PDF explaining the classes, this event was beneficial for students as it gave them the opportunity to interact with the different professors teaching courses next semester, allowing students to see if there was a connection, spark, or shared passion between themselves and potential professors.

Honors colloquiums may not be offered annually by specific professors. This year marks Professor Beth Dalton’s second time teaching “Laughing in a Corner: The Literary Legacy of Jane Austen.” Throughout the colloq, students are expected to read select works by Austen while delving into the author’s intentional choices.

“Most people know Austen for her romantic relationships within her works, but this course examines what her works truly represent rather than what has been said about them,” Dalton explained. “Jane Austen is one of my personal favorites. The colloquia allow professors to teach a certain enjoyment of theirs.”

Honors colloquia differ from traditional courses, such as Professor Michael O’Hara’s “Theatre, Politics, and Religion” class. The course begins with a full reading of The Oresteia from theatrical, political, and religious perspectives. From there, the students decide the semester’s curriculum by voting on the plays to be read. O’Hara summarized the course as an analyzation of chosen documents throughout the history of human thought. He emphasizes it to be a class open to students from all majors, not just those involved in theatre or political science because each individual possesses a unique lens to contribute.

Freshman Evan Hatfield said the event was beneficial because it especially allows underclassmen to get their foot in the door in preparation for future years within the Honors College.

Fall Fun for All at Honors Weekend

9/27/2016

By Tanner Prewitt

Last weekend was Honors Weekend for members of the Honors College. Sponsored by the Student Honors Council, the events were fun-filled and jam-packed with excitement. Lydia Kotowski, a freshman pre-med and political science double major, enjoyed herself immensely.

“I thought the weekend as a whole was a lot of fun and had something that could appeal to everyone. The variety of activities was really nice,” Kotowski stated.

Thursday, September 22, kicked-off the weekend with Trivia Night in DeHority Complex’s Exhibition Hall. Teams assembled and faced each other in categories pertaining to Disney, pop culture, history, and the 90s.

“Trivia Night was very fun and challenging. Questions were seldom missed, so it was hard to get back in the lead after one was missed,” Allison Albright, a freshman nursing major, said.

The Fall Festival occurred on Friday outside of DeHority. Music was playing, and students joined in the dancing and eating. Popcorn, iced cookies, and drinks were passed around, as were Frisbees and cornhole bags. There was even a station for face-painting led by freshman Max Jolly, who is an architecture major.

Saturday was a day to burn off some energy. Catch the Cardinal was a parody of capture-the-flag, and students who participated dashed around DeHority in search of their team’s cardinal.

Sunday ended the weekend with a brunch at the Honors House. Students could assemble their own breakfast burrito and mingle with friends in the refreshing fall air. Michaela Karcher, a freshman nursing major, and Logan Gemmill, a freshman architecture major, had a blast at brunch.

“The brunch was delicious, and I enjoyed getting to know some more Honors students while playing cornhole and singing to the music playing,” Karcher said.

“The food at the brunch was very tasty, and the camaraderie with friends was an added bonus,” Gemmill stated.

Sunday's brunch gathered students at the Honors House for burritos and backyard fun! Back Row from Left: Eric Chavarria, Noah Nobbe, Brian Peterson, David Kosciulek Front Row from Left: Nikki Dixon, Alyssa Brisge, Emily Mixter, Devon Lejman Photo from: David Kosciulek

Backyard Bash!

9/22/2016

Photos by Alex Bravard
Story by Afrah Ali

On Saturday, September 17, Honors students and their families were welcomed to a Backyard Bash from 1 PM to 2 PM as a Family Weekend event hosted by the Student Honors Council.

The family of freshman Maya Reynon, a mathematics education major, enjoyed the clear Honors House backyard with her father, and sisters ages five, eight and eleven. Reynon said she has been enjoying her Honors College experience, especially in the smaller, more personal classrooms. Her sisters were especially excited to utilize the open Recreation Center for endless rock climbing.

Freshman Jill Gralak, a public relations major, agreed saying the Honors Living Learning community within DeHority is an extremely tight-knit community compared to other freshman dorms.

The Gralaks toured the Bell Tower, an annual event only offered family weekend, earlier that morning. It was the family’s first time visiting the Honors House after orientation. Mr. Gralak was delighted to chat and eat cookies at the beloved white house again.

SHC host event for seniors to showcase thesis work

4/21/2016

It's like a mini-academic conference, but with brunch.

by Victoria Ison

Joanna Ziarko

At least six Honors College seniors will present oral and/or visual reports on their thesis projects this Sunday at an event hosted by the Student Honors Council. The Honors Thesis Expo will begin at 1 p.m. in the Honors House.

"There are a lot of really great theses that get done, but we never get to hear about them," said sophomore Maren Orchard, director of online promotions for SHC. "We want this to be a chance for seniors to show off their hard work. We also hope it will give underclassmen an idea about what they'll eventually be expected to do."

To encourage attendance, Orchard said SHC will serve brunch before and during the presentations. Orchard said afternoon start time was established to respect weekend worship and sleeping schedules.

Elementary education major Joanna Ziarko will read excerpts from her thesis project during her presentation. Ziarko, a senior graduating in May, created a children's book about a Polish holiday.

"There are no children’s books in existence about Paczki Day," Ziarko said in an email. "I’m honestly so proud of my thesis."

Stephen Weigel

Music media production major Stephen Weigel will share audio clips and PowerPoint slides in his presentation at the expo. Weigel, a senior graduating in May, studied musical scales.

"[My thesis] is a groundbreaking new application for permutations in music theory.," Weigel said in an email. "This the only number-based music theory I know of that panders to today's set theorists and microtonalists at the same time."

The Honors Thesis Expo is expected to last until 3 p.m. Orchard said the atmosphere of the event should be "chill."

Honors Goes Hollywood: SHC Spring Formal Preview

2/3/2016

By Kristin Wietecha

Masks, glamour, tuxes, fancy dresses, and class are what is usually seen during the Met Gala-a grand annual event in which celebrities gather to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Extravagant events like the Met Gala and Hollywood’s film industry are what inspired the Student Honors Council with the theme for this year’s formal.

This Friday, Feb. 5 from 8-11 p.m., SHC is hosting “The Premiere Gala: Red Carpet Masquerade“in the Student Center Ballroom.

Guests at the dance will be treated to sparkling non-alcoholic beverages, punch, a chocolate fountain, fresh popcorn, and Hors d’oeuvres, as a means to portray a high-class party in Hollywood. Attendees will also be able to take pictures via a Hollywood-themed photo booth, participate in movie trivia, and enter in a raffle to win movie baskets. There will, as with any formal, also be music for dancing.

The SHC officers believe one of the qualities of this formal that will make the night truly memorable and more successful than the SHC formals of the past is its extravagant aura.

“I think the theme is very fun and will lead to a greater turn-out than last year,” said Nick Marchio, a sophomore and SHC’s Director of Print Promotions.

SHC’s president, Valerie Weingart said, “This year there’s definitely more of an emphasis on ‘formal’ [compared to the formals of the past.] We’re going for more of a fancier…just a classier vibe, just by virtue of the theme we’ve chosen….It’s a little bit more ‘over the top,’ a little bit more than just your [an average] college or social formal.”

Two individuals that are planning to attend the dance, sisters Eve and Autumn Miller, are looking forward to the theme and stepping onto “Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.”

Eve, a freshman studying architecture, said that she’s excited for a new experience.

“I love that the dance is a masquerade because I like the theme, but I’ve never been able to go to one [a masquerade],” Eve said.

Autumn, a sophomore majoring in biology with a zoology concentration, was attracted to the theme for a different reason. “I really like that the theme is Hollywood because I really appreciate the art form and enjoy older movies,” Autumn said.

SHC members say that they expect 100-200 guests at the dance. Honors students are encouraged to bring their friends regardless of whether or not they are Honors College or even Ball State students. Masks are also not required. Tickets are $7 per person if they are purchased before the dance from the front desks of DeHority Complex, Honors House, or Park Hall. Tickets are $10 per person at the door. Guests will receive extra raffle submissions if they bring non-perishable food items to the dance to donate to food banks.

Weingart encouraged those that are debating whether or not to attend to take a chance while also touting about the dance’s chocolate fountain.

“If all else fails, eat some chocolate.”

Beach Bash - Honors Weekend 2015

9/14/2015

Photos by Kayla D'Alessandro
Captions by Ellie Fawcett

Honors Weekend 2015

9/8/2015

By Ellie Fawcett

Next weekend, Student Honors Council (SHC) will be hosting Honors Weekend, four days of events to celebrate the kick-off another year at Ball State.

Older Honors students may remember Honors Week, the precursor to this year’s Honors Weekend. SHC changed the schedule this year, hoping weekend activities would be easier for Honors students to attend.

“It's a bit of an experiment, but we're hopeful that it is going to be a fun and enjoyable experience for the Honors College,” SHC President Valerie Weingart said.

The events begin Thursday, September 10 at 7 p.m. with DeHome Family Game Night, which will feature card and board games in the DeHority Hall lobby. Friday is the Variety Show at 7 p.m., an open mic night and talent competition also being held in DeHority, and Saturday features outdoor games on DeHo Beach from 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.. Honors Weekend comes to a close on Sunday afternoon with Honors Brunch at the Honors House at 1 p.m.

For more information on Honors Weekend, visit the Student Honors Council Facebook page.