UT Tyler Honors Program, Fall 2013

This will be an exciting year for the Honors Program at The University of Texas at Tyler.  I was fortunate enough to be accepted as an Associate Student into the Honors Program, and now I will get to take part in the fantastic events that the Honors Program is holding throughout the fall semester.  Not only is this an amazing educational opportunity for all of those interested, it is also a chance to meet some of the nation’s brightest minds.

Distribution data that proves the existence
of the Bose-Einstein condensate, a
new phase of matter.

The first major event hosted by the Honors Program will be a lecture from Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr. Carl Wienman in early September of 2013.  In 2001, Dr. Wienman won the Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Eric Allin Cornell and Wolfgang Ketterle, for his work with Bose-Einstein condensate, a branch of research initiated by Albert Einstein and Satyendra Nath Bose that led to developments within particle physics and studies of superfluidity and superconductivity.  He also leads a web-based directive called PhET out of the University of Colorado, which has improved the ways in which physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math are taught and studied.  His lecture will be inspiring to those who are seeking a career in science, technology, engineering, and/or math.

Later in the month of September, another science-based lecturer will visit UT Tyler to discuss Forensic Pathology.  Dr. Scott Kornman, MD, works out of the Diagnostic Clinic of Longview, Texas, and will discuss his branch of scientific research and what he does within his specialized field.  Forensic Pathology is a subset of pathology that focuses on determining the cause of death of an individual via autopsy, or corpse examination.  This line of work is often dramatized by crime television shows such as CSI, even though few reveal the true intricacies of this particular field of science. 

On October 24^th, the Honors Program will co-host Global Quiz Night along with the GATE program.  A large group attended the event last year, and it was well worth the visit.  Several student groups competed against each other in quiz-bowl fashion, proving to be a challenge for all competitors.  Groups such as the 

UT Tyler Debate Team, workers from the Patriot Talon, Honors Program members, and many other groups were in the running for top prizes, and it was an exhilarating experience.  Global Quiz Night challenges students to answer questions from a variety of topics, such as global history, arts and literature, science, sports, popular culture, and many others.  Last year, the Debate Team took first prize (holla!) and will be looking for a repeat title.  Perhaps your student group will be the one to step up and win.  Attend Global Quiz Night and find out!

Finally, to wrap up the semester, the Honors Program and GATE will co-sponsor a lecture from Karen Elliot House, author of “Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines--and Future.”  House is a former executive of the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones, and is a Pulitzer Prize winner for her Middle East coverage while working for the Wall Street Journal.  Her book shines light on the mystery that is Saudi Arabia; it details the infamous domestic social structure of the country, as well as the impact the country has on global economics and diplomacy.  Her book gives a fascinating portrayal to one of the last true monarchies in the world, and her lecture will be truly fulfilling to students that wish to explore a career in international politics, diplomacy, or economics.

The fall semester for the Honors Program will be full of exciting opportunities for those involved in on-campus activities.  Be sure to see the full schedule of events for more information.  If you attend these events and enjoy the rich, educational environment, feel free to explore the option of applying for membership in the Honors Program.  If you are still a high school student looking to enroll at The University of Texas at Tyler, consider the possibility of starting your freshman year as an Honors Student!