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1Contact InformationUniversity Honors CollegeFirst Year Convocation 2013DirectorSusan Dinan, Ph.D.dinans@wpunj.edu154B Raubinger HallAssistant DirectorJan Pinkstonpinkstonj@wpunj.edu154A Raubinger HallINSIDE T HISISSUE:Honors Alumni2Stories From2StudentsTrack Time3Ice Cream Social4Coat Drive6Registration7This year, Convocation forfirst year students was held onThursday, September 13th. Thisevent is a special ceremony thatbrings together the University’sincoming class, President,Provost, administration, faculty,and staff, and is an importantmarker of the new academicyear. Incoming students arewelcomed and addressed, andpresented with a challenge tomake the most of theiruniversity experience by risingto the expectations of theinstitution of higher education.At this year’s ceremony,students had an opportunity tohear from Michael Blizzard, aUniversity Alum, who took thecall of Convocation seriouslyand rose to the challenges andstandards in pursuing hiseducation during his time atWilliam Paterson. Michaelgraduated in 2007 with degreesin Psychology and English andcompleted the HonorsBiopsychology track. While atthe University, he waspresident of the Honors Cluband an Honors ambassador,hosted the first ever Honorstalent show, instituted theHonors Coat Drive, made theDean’s List seven times, andwon several awards andscholarships including theAfrican American CaribbeanAlumni Scholarship.After graduating fromWilliam Paterson, Michael wenton to pursue a mater’s degreein Research Ethics at MountSinai and Union GraduateCollege. He is also pursuing asecond master's degree inPublic Health at Montclair StateUniversity. Along with thesedistinguished accomplishments,Michael is currently thedirector of ResearchOperations at the UrologyCenter in Englewood, amember of the InstitutionalReview Board at St. JosephRegional Medical Center inPaterson, a member of theBoard of Directors for ARC ofUnion County, a member of theHealth Professions SteeringCommittee at Hobart andWilliam Smith Colleges inGeneva, New York, and amember of William PatersonUniversity Alumni ExecutiveCouncil.As the ceremony remindedus, we are all encouraged tomake the most of our collegeexperience and make use of allthe resources available to us, asMichael has done with hisexperience.Upcoming Events 8WilliamPatersonUniversityHonors Alum, Michael Blizzard,speaking at ConvocationHonors First Year Seminar Classgathering before Convocation

2Time for Honors AlumniNursing major, ChristopherKlobus, completed theHonors Nursing Track andgraduated from WilliamPaterson University last May.He presented his Honorsthesis entitled The Effectivenessof Electronic Medical RecordSystem and It’s Correlation withthe Quality of Nursing Care,during Honors Week lastspring. Christopher may haveleft campus, but he certainlyhas not abandoned the workhe began as an undergraduatein the Honors College.While in the process ofsubmitting his research forpublication, Christopher wasinvited to attend the ninthannual Meridian EvidenceBased Practice ResearchConference held in WestLong Branch, New Jersey.Christopher accepted theinvitation and attended theconference with his thesissupervisor and director of theHonors Nursing Track, Dr.Christina McSherry.The Meridian E.B.P. andResearch Conference isassociated with a variety ofhealthcare organizations,hospitals, and universities, andaims to present current andrelevant evidence-basedstudies to those inattendance. At theconference, Christopherentered his research into aposter contest, competingwith graduate students andexperienced R.N.s . Thejudges were impressed withhis articulacy and knowledgeof the subject, and presentedhim with a Nursing ResearchPoster Award and theopportunity to attend anotherMeridian Conference.In the meantime,Christopher plans to continueto expand his pilot study aswell as gain nursingexperience in the field. Headmits that working tocomplete an Honors thesiswasn’t easy, but it certainlywas a life-changing experiencethat was worth the effort.Congratulations toChristopher on his wonderfulaccomplishments!Dr. Christina McSherry with Christopher KlobusHonors Alum, Christopher Klobus, with hisresearch posterStories from StudentsIf you arelooking tobroaden yourcollegeexperience, whynot considerstudy abroad andinternshipopportunities?When you takethe chance tothink about it, you’ll quicklyrealize that there are plenty ofprograms and opportunitiesopen to students who wantmore than a seat in a classroom.majoring in Political Science andhas chosen to complete hishonors thesis in the SocialSciences Track.and absorbing the rich culturaland historical heritage of thearea. Gordon enjoyed givingtours of the Capital Complex,preparing material forLast year, Gordon applied forCongressman Pascrell, standingan internship through theon the floor of the House andUniversity and was accepted toSenate Chambers, watching awork alongside Congressman BillCongressional baseball game, andPascrell as a part of his campaignbumping into politicians on ateam. Enjoying his work anddaily basis among all of theeager to experience theopportunities the programlegislative side of politics,facilitated.Gordon decided to apply for asecond program at theMost important, however, iscompletion of his first.what Gordon was able to takeaway from his experience. HeThe second internship broughtGordon Kessler is an examplewalked away from the internshipGordon to Washington D.C.of an Honors student whosewith a greater understanding andwhere he was housed atinitiative and persistence guidedappreciation for the passion andAmerican University. He spenthim in creating a memorable andpersistence of our policy makersnine weeks working ineducational experience this pastin Washington, as well asCongressman Pascrell’s officesummer. He is currently a seniorUniversity credits for all of hishard work. He is thankful for allhe has learned in the processand urges all studentsconsidering an internshipprogram to go for it withoutquestion. Gordon says thatopportunities like internshipsgive practical experience that canprovide insight and directionwhen planning for the future.

3Track TimeThe Nursing Track isspecifically designed for thosepursuing degrees in nursing. Itprovides students withhands-on and in-depthopportunities to learn aboutnursing research andevidence-based practices whileworking closely with faculty.Those enrolled in the trackare required to take honorssections of core science classesand upper level nursing classesas specified by the curriculumguide. These upper levelclasses prepare students totake an Independent ResearchSeminar the last semester oftheir senior year during whichthey will complete a thesisproject. At the completion oftheir thesis, all students willpresent their research to theWilliam Paterson Communityduring Honors week in April.For more information aboutthe Nursing Honors Track,contact the track direction, Dr.Christina McSherry, atmcsherryc@wpunj.edu or visitthe Honors College website g.dot.Nursing students with their mascot, OttoLunch in the LoungeThe first Lunch in the Loungeof the fall semester was held onThursday, September 26th.Students were welcomed to theHonors Club and introduced toone another as well as theexecutive board of the club.Honors club announcementswere made and students hadthe opportunity to voice theirsuggestions as pizza was served.Honors students at Lunch in the LoungeClub CornerThe Honors Club has begun its FallApparel Sale. T-shirt and hoody optionsare available. Order forms can belocated on the Honors Website andFacebook page. All forms are due tothe Honors Office, Raubinger 154, byNovember 1st. Please contact theHonors Club President, RebeccaWance, at wancer1@student.wpunj.eduto place your order or for additionalinformation.UNIVERSIT YHONORSCO LLEGE

4We All Scream for Ice Cream!The annual Honors Ice Cream Social was held onThursday, September 19th. Students, faculty, staff, andalumni gathered on the terrace of Hobart Manor toenjoy an afternoon of sundaes and conversation. Guestsalso enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a photoscavenger hunt. Thank you to all who visited andparticipated. Please be sure to visit the Honors Websitefor scavenger hunt photos.Photos courtesy of Rachael Segal and Josh MorovanHonors students with President Kathleen WaldronDr. Kenneth Wolf, Dean of the College of Scienceand Health and Dr. Glen Sherman, Associate VicePresident and Dean of Student DevelopmentDr. Susan Dinan and Jan Pinkston withHonors Alum, Michael Blizzard

5Freshman Move-In DayThis Fall, about one hundred new Honors students werewelcomed into the University. Resident students enjoyedthe privilege of early move-in on Monday, September 2nd.With the help of family and friends, as well as the staff ofResidence Life and other University volunteers, includingthose from the Honors College, students were able tosettle into their rooms in High Mountain East.Photos courtesy of Rachael SegalUNIVERSIT YHONORSCO LLEGE

6Honors College and Honors Club:COAT DRIVENow through November 15th, 2013Gently worn coats of all sizes and otherwinter accessories (scarves, hats, gloves, etc.)are being accepted. Please bring items to theHonors College office (Raubinger 154), orsend an email message to honors@wpunj.eduto make arrangements to have items pickedup from your office or other campus location.For more information, please call973-720-3657Thank you for your support!