Willimantic, Conn. – Twenty of Eastern Connecticut State University’s highest-achieving students were recognized at the Honors Program Senior Reception on May 9. This year’s honors theses—the program’s capstone experience—ranged in topics from mathematical and biological studies to documentaries and investigations into the occult.
William Salka, director of the Honors Program and political science professor, gave the opening remarks. “The quality of this year’s thesis projects reflects well on the individual students, their respective mentors and the overall educational experience offered by the University,” he said.
Alumna Wendy Ernst ’93, a biology major and graduate of the Honors Program who now runs her own veterinary practice, was the ceremony’s guest speaker. She spoke to the educational opportunities and resources at Eastern, saying they are as high-quality as any undergraduate college or university.
Following presentation of honors cords—which were worn upon caps during graduation on May 12— Provost Rhona Free closed the event. “Students in the Honors Program routinely produce some of the highest quality scholarship at Eastern; work that is expected of the best graduate students. This group in particular has raised the bar even higher.”
Founded in 1973 and recognized regionally and nationally, The University Honors Program at Eastern is among the most active in New England. It offers full in-state tuition scholarships to freshmen entering the program. In addition to taking honors level courses and maintaining a high GPA, students admitted to Eastern’s competitive Honors Program must complete an honors thesis—an in-depth, original work of scholarship.