The View From 101
Hello, Everyone:
I hope you’re all well and have made it through midterms in good health. As I look out the window of my new office in the NRV, our campus is a picture-perfect example of autumn in New England. I write this on the Monday after homecoming weekend, which was full of energy and camaraderie and fun. It’s a great time to be at Merrimack!
With the help of many movers and technicians and contractors (and Joe Fisher, who always comes to the rescue with our technology problems), we’ve settled into our new space in House 7 of the NRV. I’m glad to see so many of you are using the space to study and socialize. You’re part of a thriving community, and our new space is a welcoming home base for those of you who are new and those who are returning to our program.
We’ve had a number of events already, from the Honors Reception, which had record attendance, to the Strandbeests exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, to the designation of the Mendel Observatory as a minor planet observing site. We proudly honored Honors Students Lauren McCarthy ’15 and Chelsea Comfort ’14 at a reception at the School of Science and Engineering for their work at the observatory. We should also be proud of the Honors journalists who produce our newsletter, In the Company of Friends, as the newsletter has just won second place in the National Collegiate Honors Council’s Newsletter Contest in the Print category!
In our effort to provide more intellectually engaging programming, we have stimulating lectures scheduled as well. By the time you read this, Cuban educator Ariel Dacal Diaz will have given his lecture on the current state of Cuba in light of recent efforts to normalize relations with the US. This event is co-sponsored with number of programs and departments, and shows how important it is for us in Honors to work together across the college to bring quality speakers to our campus. Check out the other articles in this newsletter to read about Dr. Kevin Plunkett’s upcoming lecture, and to find information on this year’s Last Lecture, given by Christina Hardway.
As you can tell, it’s already been a busy year! We will continue to offer a variety of events to challenge and engage you, and we look forward to celebrating all of your achievements throughout the year. Stay focused, take a break when needed, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Kerry Johnson