UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College

12/13/2020

Congratulations to Kathleen Brown-Pérez, Honors senior lecturer in anthropology, for receiving a $2.5 million grant through the Five College Native American and Indigenous Studies Program (NAIS). These funds will help the Five Colleges transform how they approach NAIS, with the goal of enhancing teaching, learning, and scholarship in the field.

The grant, entitled "Gather at the Crossroads: Building Native American and Indigenous Studies at the Five College Consortium," was awarded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and co-convened by Brown-Peréz and Dr. Kiara Vigil of Amherst College.

Read more here: http://ow.ly/Xq6O50CK8rd

12/10/2020

Frongillo for Franklin

Congratulations to Honors alumnus Cobi Frongillo '18 for being elected to Franklin Town Council in a landslide victory!!

Frongillo graduated from the Honors College in 2018 with a dual degree in political science and economics, and earned his Master's in Public Policy from the School of Public Policy at UMass Amherst in 2019.

Tonight, we celebrate. Thankful.

12/01/2020

Good luck to all our students during their finals week!! We are so proud of you for making it to the end of this challenging semester. Our advisors are available by appointment on our website, and we will continue to share resources!
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Photo by Kim Mazejka '20

11/25/2020

We are so excited for the 27th Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference, which will be held virtually on April 23, 2021! Follow the page below to stay updated, and learn about past conferences and how to submit your research on our website here: ow.ly/AChm50Cv19i

The 2021 Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference will be held virtually on April 23, 2021! We are so excited to showcase the innovation, resilience, and hard work of students from across the Commonwealth. Please visit our website for more information: http://ow.ly/AChm50Cv19i

The MassURC is a statewide partnership bringing together undergraduate students from the twenty-eight public colleges and universities within the Commonwealth.

Berkshire Community College Bridgewater State University Bristol Community College Bunker Hill Community College Cape Cod Community College Fitchburg State University Framingham State University Greenfield Community College Holyoke Community College MassBay Community College Massachusetts College of Art and Design MCLA Massachusetts Maritime Academy Massasoit Community College Middlesex Community College Mount Wachusett Community College North Shore Community College Northern Essex Community College Quinsigamond Community College Roxbury Community College Salem State University Springfield Technical Community College UMass Amherst UMass Boston UMass Dartmouth UMass Lowell Westfield State University Worcester State University

11/11/2020

Three Honors students have been awarded Presidential Scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year! Read more about them and their achievement here: http://ow.ly/vo7950Ci5je

(left to right)

Abigail Callahan ‘22, a biomedical engineering major, was awarded the Robert S. Karam Presidential Scholarship.

Jisun Kim ‘21, a kinesiology and sociology double major from Agawam, Massachusetts, was awarded the Grace K. Fey Scholarship

Molly Autery ‘22, a geology major from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was awarded the Putnam UMass Scholars Program scholarship.

11/11/2020

In honor of Veterans Day and veterans around the country, we are proud to announce a newly-established scholarship. The Abraham Bohn Children of Veterans Scholarship will support undergraduates children of deceased or disabled veterans.

The endowed fund was established by Larry Bohn ’74, and is named after his father, an airman in World War II. Read more about Bohn and the scholarship here: http://ow.ly/MlIn50ChS9i

“We are tremendously grateful to Larry for his investment in UMass Amherst’s commitment to accessibility. These scholarships will truly change lives now and for generations to come.” - Dean Castañeda.

11/11/2020

UMass Amherst

On Veterans Day, and every day, we honor those who have served and sacrificed. From all of us at UMass Amherst: thank you.

11/08/2020

Read the message below from Chancellor Subbaswamy following the announcement of the 2020 presidential election results.

"I am hopeful that, while striving for truth and understanding, all of us stay engaged and do our part to contribute to the formation of a more perfect union."

A message from Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy:

With the results of this most contentious presidential campaign finally clarified, albeit pending states’ certification of vote tallies, I again want to acknowledge the significance of this election as a testament to the power of participatory democracy. We witnessed a historic voter turnout in the face of a once-in-a-century pandemic, and many barriers erected to suppress voter participation, demonstrating the strength of the American people’s determination to ensure their rightful say in the future direction of our nation.

While there can be legitimate disagreements on policy matters, there is no denying that the personal style and rhetoric of the incumbent president contributed to a climate in which the interests of partisan politics were prioritized over the important work of governing. Nowhere was that more apparent than in the federal approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism and immigration policy, all of which have had a direct impact on our campus community.

By embracing reason and advancing knowledge, we at UMass, along with colleges and universities nationwide, can contribute to an educated populace that values facts and truth over opinion and dogma. And through research, scholarship and expanding access to education, we can play a vital role in helping to meet the incredible challenges we face as a society. Among them are shortening the length and lessening the public health and economic toll of the pandemic, addressing racial inequity, confronting the threat of climate change, improving media literacy, and redesigning policies and practices that contribute to economic inequality and health disparities.

We offer our congratulations to President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris, and pledge to do our part to help unite the American public for the common good. I want to restate our campus’s commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. We are continuously striving for a campus environment, and a broader society, that celebrates the differences among us and fosters dignity and respect for all.

I am hopeful that, while striving for truth and understanding, all of us stay engaged and do our part to contribute to the formation of a more perfect union.

Full message here: https://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/article/message-about-presidential-election

11/03/2020

Are you a junior in the College of Humanities & Fine Arts at UMass Amherst who will be writing an Honors thesis next year? Please join us for the fourth Commonwealth Honors College Honors Thesis Workshop of the academic year Thursday, November 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. Register here: http://ow.ly/W05550CanaP

11/02/2020

To help students keep up with events and resources around campus, we are starting “Today in Honors” to compliment our weekly “What’s New at Honors” newsletter. Every morning we will post on Twitter and on our Instagram and Facebook stories a short list of events that day for students!! We hope you enjoy it!

10/30/2020

Keep up with Honors academic updates for the Spring semester, including information about in person research and courses, on our website here: https://bit.ly/34IcKUF

10/27/2020

Congratulations to Honors Associate Professor Christine Crago for receiving a $6.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a part of a team in the new Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy (ELEVATE) program at UMass!

ELEVATE is an interdisciplinary program collaborating cutting-edge research experts in energy and technology, and world-renowned scholars in equity and social justice. The award will go towards funding the post-graduate education of about 80 ELEVATE students.

Read the full story here: http://ow.ly/t2Fv50C4kmG

10/26/2020

Politics in Real Time

In a feature on the UMass Amherst website, Honors professor and advisor Paul Musgrave talks "politics in real time," teaching, and Twitter, and says he wants to "help UMass students pursue careers in public service." Read the full article here:

Musgrave spent the spring 2020 semester as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow in Washington, DC. He was serving as a legislative aide to Representative Matt Cartwright of Pennsylvania when COVID-19 disrupted Congress. “In the House, we introduced bills, we worked on ame...

10/23/2020

Chancellor Subbaswamy has released the Spring 2021 Operating Plan with a letter to the campus community. Read the plan and the letter here: http://ow.ly/NkAj50C15gn

10/15/2020

The Honors College is a proud co-sponsor of the 2020 - 2021 Feinberg Series “Planet on a Precipice: Histories and Futures of the Environmental Emergency.” On September 30, scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer delivered the keynote address “What Does the Earth Ask of Us?” The lecture was attended by over 2,000 people, and connected indigenous knowledge and modern science to address climate change.

Read a summary of the lecture or watch the recording here: http://ow.ly/9Q4950BTFqM

10/14/2020

Were you unable to attend the 2020 Honors Plenary Lecture: "Is Racism a science Problem?" with Professor Scott Auerbach and CEO of Elateq, Roderick Anderson?

Read a summary of the talk and watch the recording on our website here: http://ow.ly/ylun50BSCmi

09/29/2020

We are so excited to be co-sponsoring the event series: “Planet on a Precipice: Histories and Futures of the Environmental Emergency."

The Keynote lecture, "What Does the Earth Ask of Us?" will be delivered by Robin Wall Kimmerer tomorrow, Sept. 30. Kimmerer is a scientist and author of the bestselling book "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants.”

Learn more and register here: http://ow.ly/ob4d50BDKL7

09/16/2020

One of our students, Molly Autery, a junior geology major, shared this photo with us showing one experience of taking classes remotely! We miss seeing you all and want to know what you've been up to. Have a photo you want to share? Post it and tag us!

09/10/2020

2020 Plenary Lecture

The 2020 Honors College Plenary Lecture - “Is Racism a Science Problem?” - will be delivered by Professor Scott Auerbach and available for viewing on September 21, at 6:30 pm. In his own words, watch as Auerbach talks about his lecture. He also invites you to submit any questions for him before Monday September 14 here: http://ow.ly/qYS850BmAEJ

09/09/2020

Are you a junior or sophomore interested in conducting an Honors Thesis?

Join us tomorrow September 10, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM for a "CHC Honors Thesis Workshop: Approaching and Planning for the Senior Thesis."

Commonwealth Honors College Dean Mari Castañeda and affiliated UMass faculty members Neal Anderson (Engineering), Kim Tremblay (CNS), and Nikki Stoia (HFA) will provide a brief overview of the Honors Thesis and lead an open forum for addressing your questions and concerns.

Register here: http://ow.ly/BXM250BlYSC

09/08/2020

Interested in studying or interning abroad on a scholarship? Learn about the Gilman International Scholarship at the UMass Amherst Office of National Scholarship Advisement and ISP Gilman Scholarship Info Session tomorrow, September 9th, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

The Gilman International Scholarship enables undergrads to study or intern abroad, awarding not only grants up to $5,000, but also providing critical skills needed in the 21st-century workforce.

Learn more and register to attend here: http://ow.ly/OVKb50BkUoj

09/08/2020

Sabrina Victor ’18, a Honors College alum, was recently named Miss Massachusetts USA. Victor, who graduated with a dual degree in theater and journalism, says she got her inspiration to join beauty pageants during her time at UMass.

Read more here: http://ow.ly/MJJG50BkOJd

09/04/2020

A Conversation with Dean Castañeda

Get to know our new Dean Mari Castañeda as she shares both her life experiences and her view on a number of issues – ranging from community engagement, to social justice, to how one stays engaged in their passion. Honors student Claire Healy ‘21 had the chance to talk with Dean Castañeda and record their conversation. Watch part of it here or the full video on our website: http://ow.ly/ryCI50BiEMO

08/28/2020

Emerging Scholars Book Fund: Makhai Pells '21

Thank you to everyone who donated!! We are now just $330 from our goal. Even though the fundraising event is over, the campaign is open until September 1 and you can still donate: http://ow.ly/uzZz50BbG8h

Listen to Makhai Pells, a senior history and anthropology major, talk about his experiences in the Emerging Scholars Program for the Emerging Scholars Book Fund in the video below.

08/28/2020

Below is a quote from Parker Sweet, Class of '21, about being part of the Emerging Scholars Program.

Donate now to the Emerging Scholars Book Fund: http://ow.ly/uzZz50BbG8h

08/23/2020

2020 Induction Ceremony Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst

The 2020 Commonwealth Honors College Induction Ceremony is today! We are excited to welcome new students and families to our community. As you watch, we’d love to hear from you. New students, introduce yourself or, for families, tell us about your student in the comments!

You can watch the Induction Ceremony on the YouTube premiere below, or here on our website at 5:30 p.m.: http://ow.ly/Pzn450B6IcJ

08/07/2020

The Chancellor has announced important changes for the Fall 2020 semester. Read his full message to the campus community here: https://bit.ly/3a1z2Sl

For more information, and a list of answers to frequently asked questions, visit: https://www.umass.edu/coronavirus/

Please feel free to send your questions to [email protected]

IMPORTANT FALL 2020 UPDATE FROM CHANCELLOR SUBBASWAMY:

The worsening conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic nationally have led us to make the difficult decision to significantly reduce our campus population for the fall. While we remain committed to our previously announced instructional plan, we are reversing our previously announced offer to provide on-campus housing for students whose coursework is entirely remote.

Only students who are enrolled in essential face-to-face classes, including laboratory, studio and capstone courses, which have been designated in SPIRE, will be accommodated in campus residence halls and be granted access to campus facilities and dining this fall. All other students, whose courses do not require a physical presence on campus, should plan to engage in their studies remotely, from home.

In the interest of public health, we also strongly urge our off-campus students whose coursework is remote to refrain from returning to the Amherst area for the fall semester, for they, too, will not have campus facilities at their disposal. Research laboratories, many of which resumed operation in the spring, will remain open.

We recognize there are some students who are dependent on campus housing and dining, and others, including some international students with specific visa requirements and students in healthcare fields, who will need to reside on campus. These situations will be handled on a case-by case basis, and in most instances will be accommodated.

Any questions or concerns may be sent to [email protected].

Read the chancellor's full message here: https://bit.ly/3a1z2Sl

08/05/2020

Climate Emergency and Nuclear War: What are the Connections?

Join Honors political science professor Dr. Laura Reed and other experts August 20th from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm for the Peace Development Fund panel discussion "Climate Energy and Nuclear War: What are the Connections?"

Dr. Reed studies the threat of weapons of mass destruction and disarmament, and is teaching the Honors Thesis seminar "Honors 499CA: Bioterrorism," in the fall.

Register to attend here: http://ow.ly/cqfh50ARi9d

Engaged experts speak on connections between the climate emergency and nuclear war and what we can do in response.

07/31/2020

Planning on conducting an Individually Contracted Honors Thesis? Don’t forget to send your proposal in by tomorrow on PATHS! If you are taking a Honors Thesis Seminar, this does not apply to you. Visit our website for more information: http://ow.ly/PeZr50ANF62

Have questions? Our advisors are here to help you: https://www.umass.edu/honors/advising

07/31/2020

Community Agreement | Dean of Students Office | UMass Amherst

A reminder to our students that today is the last day to sign the UMass Community Agreement. You are required to sign it if you are living on campus or using UMass campus facilities. Details are in the link below, and you can sign it on your Spire account. https://www.umass.edu/dean_students/umass-community-agreement

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 and until further notice, the Dean of Students Office and Student Conduct and Community Standards Office staff will be working with students/families and consulting with faculty and staff remotely.