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Fall 2020
The
HonorsChallenge
Crises and
Opportunities
University Communications
.
Contents 4 Student Research
During the Pandemic 8 Beyond Weather
14 Urban Wildlife
From the Director We communicated with students and
faculty instructors throughout summer
crisis. We need to do better, we need
to work harder at creating equality and
as the university poured resources into justice, we can do better—as individuals,
preparing for fall, devising safe modes as educational institutions, as a society.
for in-person teaching, and helping I find support for that confidence in
instructors to develop remotely taught the ongoing engagement with social
courses—many of them including justice by so many Honors students,
real-time virtual meetings and discus- be it in leadership projects that benefit
sions—that maintained pedagogical best underserved community members or in
practices and intellectual rigor. research and outreach, investigating and
Honors shifted research gatherings fighting bias and prejudice.
to virtual modes and relied on faculty How do we create community
mentors to find different and safe among Honors students while it’s
ways for students to work on research unsafe to bring groups together in
projects (see the articles on Green person? While we’ve had to give up
Sheets and Summer Apprenticeships our traditional large first-year gather-
in this newsletter). Honors students ings, we have instituted a new series
have continued to engage in ambitious of “Honors Student Faculty Connec-
projects, many of them in the fields of tion” virtual chats: every week this fall
health care, medical innovation, social at least one or two of my renowned
justice, and technical innovation, all faculty colleagues are meeting (virtu-
Greetings from Madison, and I hope intended to improve lives and help us ally) with small groups of Honors
you are well and healthy; words that confront current challenges and crises. freshmen to talk about their research,
have lost the casualness with which we A partial list of projects is included in their career trajectory, and their lived
used to utter them before the arrival this newsletter. experience, to answer questions and
of COVID-19. As I write, the sunny We shared graduating seniors’ share advice for success.
warm fall weather and gorgeous fall and their families’ disappointment In all of this, our students have
colors outside belie the dramatic and when they had to find new ways of shown an amazing degree of fortitude,
distressing events of this year. Upheavals celebrating, since the large gather- adaptability, and resilience. UW–
have affected each and every one of us ings that usually are such a big part Madison has pulled together, everyone
and created turmoil in our students’ of Commencement festivities were fully committed to making it possible
lives and those of their families. In impossible this year. Technology has for this university to keep doing what
March, campus responded to the very been essential and helpful in all aspects it does so well: educate students, open
real danger of COVID-19 by transi- of how we carry on, but you prob- intellectual and career doors, offer
tioning quickly and efficiently to remote ably share my sense that the situation leadership opportunities, and enable
teaching and operations, which was has given all of us a new appreciation research and collaborations that will
then extended through the end of the for the human ties that connect us to help address the current challenges.
semester and into summer. In spring, each other. As our customary ways of I hope you will enjoy reading about
I was teaching an in-person, high- interacting and socializing have been current students’ experiences. Please
interaction course in German theater upended, there’s so much to everyday know that we are grateful for your
practice. I was faced with the chal- experience that we can no longer take continuing support and cherish the
lenge of converting our live discussion, for granted. enduring Badger connection to you,
rehearsal, and performance meetings Beyond our anxieties about health, our alumni and friends! Warmest well-
to a “synchronous remote” format via the economy, and an uncertain future, wishes, and On, Wisconsin!
screen. For the most part, the transi- we have had to grapple with appalling
tion worked surprisingly well, thanks to acts of violence against Black, Indig-
students’ flexibility and engagement. enous, and People of Color (BIPOC)
After holding advising meetings in recent months. Increasing awareness
virtually over the last half of the spring of the deeply systemic nature of racial
semester, the Honors Advising Team bias and injustice has led to a sense of Sabine Gross
welcomed more than 400 new students urgency to act for a better future: this is L&S Honors Program Director and
to UW–Madison via virtual orientation. among the positives to emerge from this Professor of German
2 FALL 2020
Fall 2020 Message from the Dean Staff
Faculty Director
Paulius Musteikis
Sabine Gross
Associate Director of
Admissions and Research
Matt Kohlstedt
Associate Director of Advising and
Curriculum
Sara Stephenson
Academic Advisors
Lisa Blum
Christine Evans
Peter Keys
Program Administrator
Erin Warner
Speech Team Coach
AJ Carver
In June, I was honored to assume the L&S. I intend to support and elevate Office Assistants
role of Dean of the College of Letters research opportunities for faculty, grad- Emma Langer
& Science, during one of the most uate students, and undergraduates. The Barb Rasmussen
challenging times in my 25 years at knowledge that we take for granted
UW–Madison. As we wrestle with a today is based on curiosity-driven Find us on Facebook
global pandemic, social unrest, and scholarship and creativity that started go.wisc.edu/LSHonorsFacebook
economic turmoil all at once, I am decades ago. Now, more than ever, we
Washburn Observatory
reminded of what makes a Letters & need to feed that intellectual flame. We 1401 Observatory Drive
Science education so timelessly impor- need those big-picture thinkers to help Madison, WI 53706–1209
tant. The values we teach—compassion, us solve complex problems and expand
608-262-2984
intellectual curiosity, tolerance, and the horizons of what we know.
resilience—prepare our students not By the time you read this, if all honors@honors.ls.wisc.edu
only to flourish in good times, but to goes as planned, the fall semester will www.honors.ls.wisc.edu
learn, grow, and change during periods be well underway, with a mix of remote
Design
of challenge and hardship. learning and in-person courses, as well University Marketing
Hard times—particularly times as comprehensive protocols for keeping
Cover photo
of protest—often bring about change. everyone safe. The year ahead will
Comet NEOWISE passed overhead
That’s overdue here at UW–Madison, not be easy, but we will not lose heart.
in the night sky in Cross Plains in July.
where many of our students of color We will dig in—because that’s what UW–Madison’s Pine Bluff Observatory
have, for far too long, experienced a Badgers do. is located in Cross Plains, but the comet
UW that feels less welcoming to them. Thank you for all you do to was actually visible to the naked eye.
We pride ourselves on the world-class support L&S. It means the world to us.
experience offered to our students, The Honors Challenge is the alumni and
preparing them for positions of On, Wisconsin! friends newsletter of the L&S Honors
leadership and illuminating their path Program, and is produced using gifts
forward. A key leadership priority for from alumni and friends.
me is creating an inclusive environ- © 2020 The Board of Regents of the University of
ment where all students can feel at Wisconsin System.
home and thrive.
Another priority is research. We The University of Wisconsin–Madison is an
Eric M. Wilcots
equal-opportunity and affirmative-action educator
are an “R1” (preeminent) research Dean of the College of Letters and employer. We promote excellence through
institution, and much of this ground- & Science and Mary C. Jacoby diversity in all programs.
breaking work happens right here in Professor of Astronomy
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 3
Honors Students Conduct
Research During the Pandemic
Students Adapt candidate Ellen Hickman (x’21)
analyzed Bong Joon-Ho’s 2019
through the Chazen. Ben Sevart
(Comprehensive Honors, x’22), found
Green Sheet Projects film Parasite and recorded a podcast that the increased availability of digital
During Disrupted interview about the film from the
perspectives of theorists Marx, Weber,
resources this spring actually aided
his research, an analysis of two novels
Semester and Tocqueville for her Classical
Sociological Theory course. Rather
by contemporary Indian author U.R.
Ananthamurthy. Ben submitted presen-
By Christine Evans than visiting the physical Chazen tation slides to a virtual version of the
Museum of Art in Madison, Greta Undergraduate Research Symposium
E ach semester, several dozen Schwiesow (Honors in the Liberal Arts, and did a live video presentation for
Honors students design a project x’22) visited the museum’s website and his classmates; he is now in the process
for one of their courses and submit a virtual gallery. Fortunately, Greta still of submitting his work for publication.
proposal to the L&S Honors Program had access to supplies and space to For everyone, meetings with profes-
to earn Honors credit for that sors and presentations were held via
experience. Named after the orig- video-conferencing tools like Teams
Greta Schwiesow
inal color of the proposal forms, and Blackboard Collaborate.
the “Green Sheet” process enables Sam Wood (Honors in the Liberal
students to collaborate with Arts, x’22) shared that his Green
their professors and expand their Sheet project seemed even more
learning in a course for which no worthwhile than it would have
Honors credit is regularly avail- been in a regular semester. Sam and
able. Project topics for the Spring Robert Mathieu, Albert E. Whitford
2020 semester ranged from the Professor of Astronomy, met for
evolution of circadian rhythms to about an hour after class every two
contemporary impacts of anti-trust weeks to discuss the materials Sam
regulation and disparities in health had prepared, which ranged from
care for bisexual women of color. historic works like Kepler's novel
The Spring 2020 deadline for Somnium to the original Star Trek
Green Sheet proposals fell two television show. In Sam’s words, “I
days after Chancellor Rebecca really appreciated the one-on‐one
Blank announced that face-to-face interaction that the Green Sheet
instruction would be suspended provided during this time of such
following spring break and one separation. Meeting with Professor
day after Governor Evers declared Mathieu throughout the change
a public-health emergency in from in-person to online allowed
Wisconsin due to COVID-19. Oil painting on canvas by Greta Schwiesow (2020).
me to stay connected and engaged
Given the uncertainty of the in a very unique way, not only academi-
coming weeks, students completing cally but personally.” At the end of the
Green Sheet projects and their profes- produce the oil painting portion of her semester, Professor Mathieu invited
sors were encouraged to be flexible project as intended. Her piece, a visual all students in Astronomy 140 to Sam’s
and adapt projects in response to the representation of redlining, reflects her informal but informative virtual lecture,
new situation. research on housing discrimination in entitled "Looking Back to Look
Many projects could transition Milwaukee since the mid-twentieth Forward: The Implications of History
online with little modification. For century, and she embraced the style and Pop Culture in the Search for
example, Comprehensive Honors and technique of a piece she discovered Intelligent Life.”
4 FALL 2020
For several students’ Green Sheet connect to health care. She had planned something about what this crisis means
plans, COVID-19 and its impacts were to research exhibits and objects from for us as a society or how and why it’s
more disruptive. The ability to attend the special collections of Ebling Health unfolding the way it is.”
talks at a professional conference or Sciences Library and explore how The Green Sheet experience regu-
volunteer at the Henry Vilas Zoo had literature and art influence how society larly fosters deeper interaction with
vanished. When possible, however, thinks about topics in medicine. After course material and ideas. In Spring
Honors students adjusted their proj- the Ebling Library closed in March, 2020, the experience also required
ects to lean into the moment they she and her instructor, Dr. Colin Gillis, adapting plans to rapidly changing
found themselves in. Megan Johnston revised the plan: Megan would write conditions and finding alternative ways
(Honors in the Liberal Arts, ’20) had about the developments with COVID- to meet one’s goals. Honors students
always intended for her project in a 19, incorporating five or six artifacts responded to these challenges with
Literature and Medicine course to that, as Megan explained, “crystallize grace and an eagerness to learn.
Honors Summer
Research
Apprentices Meet
Remotely
By Honors graduate Emma Langer
O n July 24, twenty-two Honors
Summer Research Appren-
tices gathered virtually to share their
summer research projects with their
peers. While Apprentices tradition-
ally assemble in July for a retreat in Upper Left: Vivian Phan, Upper Right: Brandon Dawning, Lower Left: Tristan Argall,
the beautiful driftless area to the west Lower Right: Aishwarya Bangalore Sunil
of Madison, the new format proved research being conducted at explained how she had been working
to be a well-received adaptation to UW–Madison. more on literature review and data
the current circumstances. Unlike the Adaptability, a skill we are all analysis, so that “once fully present in
all-day retreat with longer presenta- learning amidst a global pandemic, lab in the fall” she may “conduct her
tions and concurrent panels, the virtual was in evidence in every aspect of experiments and test her hypotheses.”
symposium allowed apprentices and the virtual Research Apprentice Despite less than ideal conditions,
mentors to join remotely and hear symposium. Some students acknowl- Research Apprentices took the oppor-
short “flash talks” about the fascinating edged changes in their research that tunity to participate in other aspects of
undergraduate research. Screen-sharing occurred due to COVID-19. Shuyi the research process, staying safe yet
via the virtual meeting platform Webex Zhang, presenting his research on engaged.
allowed students to explain their topics Polydicyclopentadiene Thermoset Bringing together students and
using visual aids. Groupings this year Material, stated he “can’t actually be faculty by way of research is integral to
followed guiding themes, including in the lab, so [his] study has shifted a the Honors Program and something
chemical and mathematical analytics, little bit to focus more on the topic not lost despite uncertain circum-
medical microbiology and entomology, in general rather than specifics.” Like stances—circumstances that required
environmental studies and conserva- Shuyi, many Apprentices circumnavi- flexibility of students, staff, and faculty.
tion, behavioral studies and disorders, gated roadblocks and took a spin on Together we navigated uncertainty and
human pathology, and language and traditional laboratory research, often explored new modes of conducting and
communication. Honors students were stepping back to reveal a bigger picture. presenting research that may extend to
engaged and excited to both present Others emphasized the long-term a post-pandemic world.
and learn about other groundbreaking plans for their research. Amy Yadev
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 5
In summer 2020, Honors students received Honors funding
for the following Senior Honors Thesis Research projects:
• Swedish Neutrality during the Second World • Identification of Phagocytizing Myeloid Cells in
War: The Writings of Stig Dagerman and Eyvind Central Nervous System Tuberculosis
Johnson
• High-Energy Gamma Ray Astronomy with the
• How Does Modern Life Affect Memory Retrieval? Prototype Schwarzschild-Couder Telescope
• Behavioral Differences between Video Game • Music, Meaning and Disintegration: Exploring the
Addicts and Non-Addicted Video Game Players Power of Musical Sound
• For Freedom and Democracy? American Post- • Infectious-Disease Response: A Century in Review
WWII Global Interventionism and Modern Impacts
• Explainable Machine Learning (XAI) Algorithms for
• The Battle of the Bodies: Investigating the Erotic Day Trading in the Stock Market
and the Ideal Body in Italian Renaissance Art
• From UNEEM to Nous Pas Bouger: Mali’s Youth
• Identity Construction and Maintenance Among as a Force of Change
Transnational Adoptees: Creating One World Out
• Interactions Between Categorical Representations
of Two
and Physical Knowledge
• Xenophobic Policies in the Name of Gratitude:
• Bolstering the US-India Strategic Partnership:
Refugee Experiences with the German and Austrian
Insight from France, Israel, and Russia
Governments
• Grapheme-Phoneme Predictability: A Targeted
• Effect of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expan-
Approach to Phonics
sion on Health-Care Expenditures for Low-Income
Adults
DECEMBER 2019: The Honors Winter Commencement (before COVID-19 struck) was a relaxed yet festive celebration held in Wash-
burn Observatory. L&S Dean Eric Wilcots chats with graduates and family members after addressing remarks to the group.
6 FALL 2020
May 2020 Distinguished Honors Faculty Awards
E very year, we invite Honors
students to nominate faculty
who have had a special impact as
WILLIAM BEMENT
Professor of Integrative Biology
“Professor Bement made a topic that I didn’t think I would
teachers of Honors courses, as supervi- enjoy very fun by being super upbeat and engaging. He
sors of Honors theses, or as teachers deeply cared about all of the students and is very friendly
and mentors of Honors students for and approachable!”
the Distinguished Honors Faculty
Award. The Honors Faculty Advi-
KAREN BRITLAND
sory Committee selects the most
Professor of English
outstanding nominees for the
“I am not one to fill out forms like this, but Professor
award. With the March 2020 shift
Britland is truly deserving of recognition. She is kind-
to remote instruction made neces-
hearted, compassionate, and absolutely hilarious.”
sary by COVID-19 and the resulting
changes and challenges, we expected
fewer nominations this year. We were
wrong—in the midst of upheaval, more SHUCHI CHAWLA
than thirty Honors students took the Professor of Computer Sciences
time to nominate faculty instructors “Professor Chawla has been an amazing academic advisor
and mentors for an Honors Distin- for me. She has been there to guide me every step of the
guished Faculty Award in eloquent way. Professor Chawla excels at helping students and I
testimonials, expressing appreciation would never be where I am today without her help.”
and gratitude for the engagement
of faculty in the Letters & Science
SONG GAO
Honors Program. In May 2020, the
Professor of Geography
Faculty Honors Committee conferred
“Professor Gao is hands-down the most caring and
Distinguished Honors Faculty status on
passionate professor I have had. Over the two years I spent
six outstanding faculty colleagues and
in his courses, he did not treat me differently compared to
an additional “Honorable Mention” for
his graduate students. Rather, he encouraged me to share
five more colleagues. (A list of Distin-
my ideas and to have critical discussions with all his students
guished Honors Faculty, including
in and out of class.”
awardees of years past, can be found
on the L&S Honors website in the
“About” tab at honors.ls.wisc.edu/ PATRICK IBER
distinguished-honors-faculty-award.) Professor of History
“Professor Patrick Iber taught me the importance of chal-
lenging my personal beliefs and worldview through rigorous
Distinguished Honors Faculty debate and understanding of new perspectives. While
Honorable Mention 2020: initially taking his class to fulfill the geography breadth
requirement in pursuit of a degree in history, my experience
STEVEN BROOKE, Political Science with Professor Iber quickly became hugely impactful.”
KRISTINA HUANG, English
MARIO ORTIZ ROBLES
DAN KAPUST, Political Science
Professor of English
JONATHAN MARTIN, Atmospheric “I have been surprised at every turn how supportive and
and Oceanic Sciences willing Professor Ortiz Robles is to help me with my proj-
STEVE NADLER, Philosophy ects. He has truly gone above and beyond to improve my
undergraduate experience. He is deserving of this honor and
YURI SAALMAN, Psychology
many others.”
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 7
Beyond Weather responsible for one week’s discussion
topic in the broad category of ‘Science
in the News.’ Importantly, science can
H ow do you take your knowledge Public Radio, they answer an amazing mean physical, mathematical, natural,
of weather and climate beyond array of questions about the weather social, or biological sciences.” The
the level of the daily weather forecast? and its phenomena posed by members student in charge selects readings in
If you’re a UW–Madison student, of the public. advance, delivers an opening state-
you have the opportunity to enroll Martin’s syllabus for AOS 101 ment and an outline for the discussion,
in Jonathan Martin’s Atmospheric promises “we will end up speaking which they then moderate. Martin
and Oceanic Sciences 101: Weather intelligently about fascinating and provides initial guidance, including
and Climate. For the past two years, dazzling entities like cyclones, severe tips on public speaking, and describes
this course has included a discussion weather, and hurricanes.” The course his own role for the remainder of
section for Honors students led by has always been popular with Honors the semester as follows: “I keep track
Professor Martin himself. Martin has (and non-Honors) students. Being able of who is participating and almost
been a faculty member in the Depart- to earn Honors credit by enrolling for always say nothing so as to encourage
ment of Atmospheric and Oceanic weekly meetings with Martin makes it completely free exchange among the
Sciences for 27 years. His enthusiasm even better. Honors students themselves.” He is
about the weather is infectious: he is Unlike some faculty members, pleased with the result: “What happens,
apt to mention “its phenomenological Martin is not fazed by the fact that seemingly magically, is that the conver-
beauty and its physical elegance” and many students take his course to fulfill sation takes on a life of its own and is
the ways in which “the atmosphere a science requirement rather than informed by the various interests and
influences almost every facet of our pre-existing interest in the topic. He developing expertise of the students.”
lives.” For more than 20 years, Martin appreciates “the reality that almost Students second his enthusiasm,
has also teamed up with his colleague none of my students in AOS 101 are as noted by a participant in Martin’s
Steve Ackerman as the “Weather as interested in the weather as I was Spring 2020 Honors section, “Over
Guys.” In their weekly column in the at their age,” which has led him to the semester, we have discussed reus-
Wisconsin State Journal (also as a blog devise a unique format for his Honors able batteries, philosophy questions
at https://wxguys.ssec.wisc.edu/) and discussion section: “Each student that have made me think harder than
monthly radio broadcast on Wisconsin (or occasionally pair of students) is I ever thought I could, politics, and so
University Communications
Colorful bands of the Aurora Borealis, or
“northern lights,” glow in the nighttime
sky above boats in Lake Mendota mooring
field near the Memorial Union Terrace
during a strong solar storm in 2015.
8 FALL 2020
Martin is thrilled when students
Sabine Gross
share questions, stories, or their excite-
ment about the weather with him; he
makes time before and after class to
connect with students, and students
mention that he makes an effort to get
to know them personally. In perhaps
too many courses, Honors credit is
conferred through the writing of an
additional or longer paper; Martin feels
that he “reaps the dividend of intel-
lectual creativity that comes from their
being freed from that expectation.”
Students in the course, says Martin,
“do not work less seriously, they just
work differently in the context I try
to provide for them, and it is really
invigorating.” Honors students appre-
Jonathan Martin points out features of clouds on a fine autumn morning in Madison.
ciate the wide-ranging format Martin
provides: it allows them to engage
many more topics that relate to the Induction,” “The Role of Standard-
broadly and deeply. Martin, in turn,
interests of all the students in the class. ized Tests in American Education,” and
feels that he benefits as well: “I want
As a result of this class, I have felt like “Recycling Batteries in the Tesla Era.”)
to take advantage of their interests and
my critical thinking has immensely Clearly the Honors section achieves
learn new things myself.” Second-year
sharpened to an amount where I have one of the goals Martin formulates in
Honors student and political science
noticed it, and I have been exposed to his syllabus, namely, to convince his
major Cordy Nguyen took AOS 101 in
topics that I never found interest in students “that there is no such thing
Spring 2020 and sums up the impact of
yet I have learned so much.” (Other as ‘humanities thinking’ or ‘business
the course on her: “This is what I came
recent topics have included “Symbiosis thinking’ or ‘science thinking’—there
to UW–Madison to experience. I know
of the Sciences and Humanities,” “The is just thinking—and success in this
that I will remember Professor Martin
Bystander Effect,” “The Problem of course will require thinking!”
for many, many years to come.”
Creating Community for
Fellow Students
The Honors Student Organization (HSO) enables
Honors students to get engaged more deeply in the
Honors community. For 2020–21, HSO has re-designed
its executive board and devised better communication
avenues to reach all students. This year, HSO leader-
ship places a special emphasis on community building
through the creation of Tea & Talk, “a socially-driven
time at which HSO members can tune in and connect
with peers and board members.” Additional initiatives
include virtual study groups, the longstanding tradi-
The 2020-21 Honors Student Organization: Co-presidents Asha Jain and
tion of “Wednesdays at Washburn" with some of the Max Herteen and board members Hannah Emberts (Academic Chair), Julia
most entertaining speakers on campus, and an increased Tuttle (Social Chair), Anisa Ciaciura (Communications Chair) and Lucy Kuo
service-oriented presence on campus through a part- (Service Chair) hold a remote meeting on August 13 with Honors advisors
Christine Evans and Pete Keys and Director Sabine Gross.
nership with the Morgridge Center for Public Service.
HSO has great plans for this year!
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 9
Parting Thoughts from 2020 Honors Graduates
about their Honors Experience
LAUREN HARTMAN LAURA DOWNER
BA with Comprehensive BA with Honors in the Liberal
Honors | Major: English | Arts | Majors: German, Interna-
Certificate: Business tional Studies, Political Science
Throughout my four years My Honors experience was a
at Madison, I have loved the constant reminder to challenge
opportunities and relationships myself to go beyond the assigned
that being a part of the Honors lectures and reading. Completing
program has given me. When I extra projects in Honors-designated
took smaller Honors courses that courses somehow made me want
were led by professors, attended to go beyond the syllabus in all my
Honors academic advising other courses.
appointments with advisors
who actually knew my name,
and recognized fellow Honors
students in my classes, I felt like MARY GRACE
more than just another number
LARSON
at a massive university. I will BA with Honors in
miss being a part of the Honors the Liberal Arts | Ma-
community! jors: Political Science,
Spanish | Certificates:
Gender & Women’s
Studies, Environmen-
tal Studies
The Honors experience
gave me a unique oppor-
tunity to engage more
closely with professors
AARON BARENBAUM and think more critically
BS with Comprehensive Honors | Majors: Neurobiology, about my courses. I am
Psychology (Honors) very grateful that I had
One of the most rewarding experiences in my time as an undergraduate the chance to get such
at UW–Madison was the conduction of my Senior Honors Thesis. Being individualized attention
given the opportunity to design and conduct my own original research and feedback throughout
project and see some of the interesting results that were found was a rare my education.
moment of genuine pride.
CARLIE SERVAIS
BA with Honors in the Liberal Arts | Majors: Neurobiology, Psychology
Being an Honors student allowed me to meet and interact with so many
amazing people. All of my Honors classes were led by amazing professors and
the Honors discussion sections were chances for me to meet classmates and peers
that shared the same interests as me. Some of my best friends are people I met in
Honors classes! Without these opportunities, I definitely would not have had the
chance to experience so many different perspectives and personalities.
10 FALL 2020ELIZABETH WAHMHOFF
BA with Comprehensive Honors | Major:
English | Certificate: Digital Studies
Joining the Honors program was one of the best deci-
sions I made during my time at UW–Madison because
it allowed me to go above and beyond in a wide variety
of disciplines. While I am an English major, the Honors
courses I took in the sciences were some of my favorites
and I developed a passion for sustainability because of
them. My Honors experience has made me a better
thinker and a more rounded individual who is able to
look at a problem from multiple perspectives.
REBECCA HANKS
BA with Comprehensive Honors | Majors:
International Studies, Political Science
(Honors) | Certificate: African Studies
I’m so fortunate to have been part of the L&S
Honors community for the past four years! This
program allowed me to take on an enriching and
diverse course load, to develop lasting connections
with peers and professors alike, and to attend a
wide variety of interesting events and workshops.
It gave me so many amazing memories and
experiences here in Madison, all of which I will
bring with me as I start new professional and LEAH GERLACH
ADITYA EASWARAN KRISHNAN personal journeys in the years to come.
BS with Comprehensive Honors | Major: Geol- BS with Honors in the
ogy & Geophysics | Certificate: Scandinavian Liberal Arts | Major:
Studies Neurobiology | Certifi-
cate: Global Health
Between the people, experiences, and resources, joining
My Honors courses have
the University of Wisconsin and the Honors program
been some of the most
was without a doubt one of the best decisions of my
memorable throughout
life. My experience of taking honors classes is unpar-
my undergraduate
alleled. They felt like an infusion of fresh ideas and
career. They have given
perspectives. This program has allowed me to make
me the opportunity to
the most out of my college experience and excel at life.
study topics far outside
my major and gain
JUNDA CHEN knowledge in a wide
BS with Comprehensive Honors | Majors: Computer variety of topics. I have
Sciences (Honors), Mathematics also met some great
I came here because I didn’t just want to learn about math or friends and mentors
just computer science. I wanted to learn more about the world, through the Honors
this broader existence that I shall have the ability to appreciate program, and I will
it and live with it. I didn’t want my major to restrain my always look back on it as
eyesight. I wanted to be liberally educated. The Comprehensive an important part of my
Honors program gave me the drive to spend my days and nights time at UW–Madison.
on subjects that I had never thought of learning: French litera-
ture, philosophy, astronomy, biochemistry, rhetoric, architecture,
and design. It also gave me the opportunity to connect and learn
with amazing people.
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 11HONORS STUDENTS NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Your generosity provides the funding for awards that allows Honors students to engage in groundbreaking research, supports
Research Apprenticeships and ambitious Senior Honors Theses, and enables students to carry out leadership projects that
benefit campus and the broader community. We are proud of what Honors students have achieved with your help. Your gifts
make it possible for us to support students this coming year and in the future, and to continue
building an Honors community on campus! We rely on you, our alumni and friends, to help
our students realize their goals and turn dreams into reality.
“I have been giddy when-
ever I walk to my lab in
By Mail excitement for the work that is
SOPHIA NEHRING
Send a check made payable to the UW Foundation to: leading the charge for all research
FIRMINO (’20, BS with
University of Wisconsin Foundation like it. I have a commitment to
Honors in the Major,
US Bank Lockbox you, as donors, and the rest of the
Molecular Biology) scientific community to ensure that
P.O. Box 78807
on her Senior Honors I do the best that I can in order not
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807
Thesis grant to waste your investment and
advance our knowledge in
Indicate “L&S Honors Program” for donations to our healthcare.
General Fund; please note if you prefer your donation
to go to a specific fund such as the Spector Excellence
Fund or the Director’s Fund. You can find a gift form
to download and send with your check at the “Make a While I was able to get
Gift” link on our website. involved with cutting-
edge research investigating
Online gene mutations as a cause of Rett
Please use the “Make a Gift” link on the L&S Honors syndrome, I was also able to develop
GRETA BROWN
website to make an online gift directly (honors.ls.wisc. lasting and respectful relationships with
my mentors. This apprenticeship led to an (’20, BS with
edu/make-a-gift). invitation to join their team as an under- Comprehensive
graduate research assistant which then Honors) on her
Contact me anytime with your questions and led to an expansion of my network into Honors Research
suggestions! other research labs on campus. It also Apprenticeship grant
Sabine Gross, L&S Honors Faculty Director, positioned me to provide training
director@honors.ls.wisc.edu, (608) 246-9937 and mentoring opportunities of
my own as a trusted senior
member of their
For planned giving information, please contact
team.”
Abby Funseth at the UW Foundation:
abby.funseth@supportuw.org, (608) 405-0433
12 FALL 2020Additional Honors Student Projects Made Possible by
Honors Supporters
With funding from Honors supporters, Honors students completed these and other projects this year as Summer
Research Apprentices, in Senior Thesis research, or through Leadership Award community involvement.
• A campuswide initiative to improve first response to • Analysis of functionally distinct smiles in human
heart attacks interaction
• An elementary-school literacy initiative that incor- • Cold tolerance of reproductive structures in plants
porates current research in the selection of texts
• The effect of vocal emotion on infant word learning
• The effects of social media use on young adults
• Cell structure and aging
• Analyzing complex nonlinear turbulent dynamical
• Improvements in human wound healing
systems
• Working with collaborative robots
• Soil sampling and herbivore behavior
• Developing effective approaches to combat
• The origin of life
inflammation, infections, neurogeneration, neuro-
• Better ways of measuring air pollution pathology, diabetes, colon and pancreatic cancer,
leukemia, Parkinson’s and dementia, and COVID-19
• Stress and mindfulness
Spring 2020 Honors Graduation Speaker
Claire Evensen, the Spring 2020 Honors creativity as a writer, scientist, artist, and thinker.
graduation speaker, graduated in May with a Through it all, we’ve found the things we love,
bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and math- we’ve probably found a couple of things we hate,
ematics and with Comprehensive Honors. and, most importantly, we’ve found that we
She has begun a master’s degree program don’t need to be defined by a singular passion
in mathematical modeling and scientific or goal.
computing at the University of Oxford Unfortunately, liberal arts educa-
in Oxford, England. Claire is a Marshall, tions are facing challenges right now as some
Goldwater, and Astronaut scholar; she has universities shift their focus toward preparing
won a number of campus awards for her students for particular career paths. I think this
research; and she was one of three recipients kind of shift ignores one of the most important
of the 2020 Dean’s Prize, awarded annually to aspects of a college education: exploration and flex-
the most outstanding scholars in the graduating ibility. If there was ever a prime time to support the love
senior class in the College of Letters & Science. of learning, college is it; when else will an aspiring programmer
Here are excerpts from Claire’s Honors Commencement have the chance to read a wide range of Asian American litera-
address (full text/recording on the Honors website at honors. ture, or a future psychologist have the chance to take a class on
ls.wisc.edu/spring-2020-honors-commencement): climate change? Once we have moved on from UW–Madison, we
will have to work much harder to find the same diverse learning
By pursuing an Honors Program, we challenged ourselves to stretch opportunities, so a liberal arts education can quite literally be a
our abilities, to find the willingness to fail sometimes, and to develop once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 13From a Pioneering Geographer to Urban Wildlife
Studies at the UW–Madison
Tracing a Line of Continuity in Research and Support for Honors Students
H ow do Madison residents feel
about coyotes in their neighbor-
hood? This is the question Raina Eddy
Senior Honors Thesis projects to this
day. Over the past half-century, it has
allowed hundreds of students to carry
investigated in her Senior Honors out research with faculty, engaging in a
Thesis, “Living with Coyotes: Madison special culminating experience of their
Citizens’ Experiences and Attitudes,” undergraduate studies at UW–Madison
conducted with Professor of Geog- that often is also an important step
raphy Lisa Naughton. Raina was toward graduate studies and continuing
awarded a Trewartha Senior Honors in research. Many careers of Honors
Thesis grant for her work. This is a Lisa and Raina at the door of Lisa’s office. students have been shaped decisively
timely topic—there is abundant wildlife Lisa has removed her name plate for this
photo so that the original writing – Glenn
by research carried out thanks to the
on campus and in Madison, as well Trewartha’s name – is visible. support of the Trewartha Undergrad-
as in many other residential areas in uate Research Fund.
the US, showing how well some wild coyotes and for the most part value Raina has been working with
animals can adapt to urban conditions. their presence. This is true even for Naughton to prepare her insights into
Following the news confirms that some residents who have lost pets to human-coyote interactions for publica-
this is a hotly contested topic. While coyotes! For Raina and Naughton, tion in her free time while holding a
some citizens welcome the evidence of Raina’s Senior Thesis award was position as a geospatial technician with
animals’ presence, others feel fearful, particularly meaningful, as Naughton Continental Mapping. Her findings
especially in the case of wild carnivores. explains: “I’m especially delighted that have the potential to help shape public
Insights into the public’s attitudes can Raina Eddy won a Trewartha award policy, and her work is a continuation
help shape policy, an area of research to support her Senior Honors Thesis of the beneficial influence that Glenn
for Lisa Naughton. Affiliated as well research. Glenn Trewartha is a major Trewartha, his work, and the Trewar-
with the Nelson Institute for Environ- figure in the field of geography and thas’ generosity in supporting student
mental Studies, Naughton conducts he was on the UW faculty. In fact, I’m research have had over many decades.
research in conservation biology both fortunate to have inherited his office in
internationally—focusing on tropical Science Hall on campus.”
forests, for instance in Ecuador—and Glenn Trewartha, who died in 1984
locally, in the Midwest and in Madison. and was survived by his wife Sarita
Naughton has been on the UW faculty (†2011), was a faculty member on
for more than two decades. This year campus for four decades, a passionate
she was elected as a member of the and rigorous teacher and mentor, and
American Academy of Arts & Sciences. an internationally renowned authority
She has received a Chancellor’s in his field. He coined the term “the
Distinguished Teaching award and is a greenhouse effect” in 1937, in his
sought-after mentor for students. textbook An Introduction to Weather
Raina Eddy’s study (based on a and Climate, which he saw through five
detailed survey sent to 275 residents) editions over the next forty years.
focused on the extent to which actual Fifty years ago, Glenn and Sarita
encounters with wildlife shaped Trewartha made a gift in support of
residents’ perceptions of coyotes. outstanding undergraduate research at
Among her findings: inhabitants of UW–Madison
a westside neighborhood adjacent to that continues Raina Eddy celebrates her
graduation with Professor
Owen Conservancy in Madison have supporting Lisa Naughton, her Senior
a surprisingly positive attitude toward students’ Thesis supervisor.
14 FALL 2020Blum is a lively and engaging
Sabine Gross (3)
speaker; listeners are exposed to new
knowledge as well as surprises, such as
her statement “I really love poisonous
things.” (She admits to being “a failed
Honors chemistry major.”) Indeed,
The Poison Squad is Blum’s second
book-length foray into poisons, after
her 2010 The Poisoner’s Handbook, and
for some years she wrote a monthly
“Poison Pen” column on environ-
mental chemistry for the New York
Times. Blum enjoyed Honors students’
questions and shared a wealth of details
about her motivation to write (“Every
After her talk and discussion with Honors students, Deborah Blum signs copies of her book. book author looks for the ‘why’ behind
events”) as well as the amount of
A Riveting Story of Food Safety historical research (boxes and boxes of
material) that goes into each project
Honors Students Meet with Go Big Read Author and the process of writing (make your
style transparent to make it do its job).
Deborah Blum According to Blum, all her books have
something in common: “I write books
“Eating food was one of the top ten Honors students were treated to a in which it is very clear that one person
causes of death in the nineteenth luncheon and informal discussion with can make a difference. It’s really impor-
century!” This was not the only the Go Big Read author during her tant to know that we have people in
surprising and illuminating insight campus visit in October 2019. A bit of our history who can make a difference.”
offered by Deborah Blum, author of history: The Honors Program had a Blum makes history and chemistry
the 2019 Go Big Read book The Poison book-of-the-year initiative of its own, come alive, fleshes out the social and
Squad during her campus visit. Reading as one way of creating an intellectual political dimension, and creates vivid
her book profoundly changes the way community for Honors students, years characters from solid historical facts
you look at, drink, eat, think about, before the campus “Go Big Read” and archival material. She speaks the
and taste your food. The book includes program was started. Some of you, our way she writes: clear, engaging, driven
gruesome accounts of how adulterated cherished alumni and readers, may by common sense and with the convic-
milk killed hundreds of children in the remember: in 2003, the second year of tion that knowledge can be power and
past; it features a chemist who delib- the Honors book initiative, the choice make the world better. Asked what she
erately poisoned his staff (they were was Deborah Blum’s unforgettable Love considers the best thing about jour-
willing and committed participants); at Goon Park. nalism, she sums up: “Someone else
and it presents stories of political chica- pays you to learn!”
nery, maneuvering, and mayhem. The
book tackles chemistry and corruption,
idealism and profit, civic engagement
and government, individual courage
and the impact of legislation. It is an
impeccably researched, original, and
eye-opening work of historical scholar-
ship. The author, a Pulitzer-winning
journalist and writer of popular-
science nonfiction at its best, taught
at UW–Madison until 2015 and now
directs the Knight Science Journalism
program at MIT.
THE HONORS CHALLENGE 15Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Madison, WI
L&S Honors Program Permit No. 658
Washburn Observatory
1401 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1209
L&S Honors
by the Numbers
400+ 1550
Courses offered
for Honors each
semester
Honors students
3
20
1
Honors degrees
offered
Typical class size
for Honors-only
courses Unique Honors
experienceYou can also read
