The UCA Honors College hosted one of largest groups ever to attend the Annual Conference of the Southern Regional Honors Council (SRHC). The conference, held at the Peabody Hotel, March 31-April 2, drew 475 participants, nearly 20% greater than in the past five years.
“There were a number of attractive features this year, including a reception and tour of The Clinton Presidential Library, the keynote speaker, Skip Rutherford, Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service; and the setting at The Peabody Hotel along the riverfront,” said Rick Scott, the conference chair and dean of the Honors College. ” The SRHC has a membership of over 100 honors programs and colleges from universities in the south.”
Scott said that the conference theme, “Bridging Scholarship and Citizenship: Making Honors Count,” reflects a growing emphasis in collegiate honors on service learning and volunteerism that is informed by undergraduate scholarship. Representatives from over 70 schools in 11 states converged on Little Rock for the conference which convened nearly 240 presentations spread out across 75 sessions. A graduate school expo was held for the first time with six universities represented from three states , UCA among them.
The Student Honors Council held their annual benefit for Heifer International entitled Livestock on March 31 as part of the conference in the Peabody Ballroom. The dance benefit featured live music from local bands and drew nearly 200 people while bringing in over $1000. The following day at the lunch banquet James Easter, a classical guitar student from Harding, performed to a rapt audience of 450 in attendance before Dean Rutherford delivered a rousing talk about citizenship and civility, bringing the crowd to its feet. At the general business meeting, Dr. Phil Frana, Director of Undergraduate Research in the Honors College was elected executive secretary-treasurer, and Matt Hankins, a sophomore in the UCA Honors College was elected student vice president for a two-year term.
Scott organized the conference with Patricia Smith, Honors College Director of Student Engagement, and the conference planning team in Academic Outreach led by Shaneil Ealy along with Trenie Stanley, Alaina Alexander and Susan Jones.