On October 25th four Honors College student organizations came together for a first-of-its-kind collaboration. The Honors Student Association, the Honors Student Diversity Council, the Honors Mentorship Program, and the Informed Citizens Discussion Group worked together for a fall-themed social event. Although this served as their first major collaboration, we hope it is not the last.
The event was a pumpkin painting workshop held in the Honors College student lounge. Informed Citizens Group president Ana Spradling described the scene: "Fall decorations, great music, forty pumpkins, paint, and a hoard of eager Honors students with varying creative talents participating in the stress-free task of decorating a pumpkin to go in their dorm rooms. We spent the evening sharing stories, getting in the holiday spirit, and growing closer as our community came together." Collaboration with organizations helps students become aware of everything that the Honors College has to offer, as well as forging connections with peers that can help you make the most of your time as an OU student.
The four participating organizations are among the student-led programs at the Honors College. The Honors Student Association is perhaps the biggest of the four, given the fact that every student accepted into the Honors College can count themselves as part of the organization. They hold weekly or bi-weekly events throughout the academic year in order to promote fellowship between faculty and students, as well as promote volunteerism. The Honors Diversity Council was founded to promote equity and diversity within the Honors College and the university community. They meet regularly and often hold fun events that encourage diversity and serve as safe, inclusive spaces for participants. Third on the list is the Honors Mentorship Program, which is a resource for first-year Honors students. It pairs upperclassmen with first-year students to help guide them through the social and academic aspects of the Honors College. The final contributor to the event was the Informed Citizens Discussion Group, which as the name implies is a student-led group that meets once a week to discuss current events. This group offers a great way to stay informed, fight ignorance, and engage in intelligent discussion.
The Honors College offers a wide array of student organizations to support the diverse interests of our student body. Our hope is that every student can find their place within the College, and participating in these organizations is a great way to start. Joining a student organization is a way to connect with your peers while helping you find your true passions. Most student programs also offer opportunities to give back to the community through volunteerism, and they promote leadership and team-building skills that will be useful in other contexts.
You can check out these organizations and more by visiting the Honors College Community tab on our website.
