Centralight

More Honors students are being challenged to think globally. They are working as goodwill ambassadors in Beijing and travel annually to Oaxaca, Mexico, to aid shelters that house homeless and orphaned children. With the experience students are gaining through world service opportunities, the Honors Program is looking at making international travel a priority – and having scholarships available for students. "Global citizenship is an important part of education today," says Camarena. "Yes, you're going to engage academically, but you're also going to be an active global citizen. Honors at CMU has the goal to guide students in developing their talents to change the world for good." • Academics+Service = Honors Education I've reached the homestretch of my undergraduate education at Central Michigan University, with my May graduation date drawing nearer. As I look back, it's not my graduation date that I find meaningful, but rather the journey I took to get there. With the Honors Program as my vehicle, the past four years have been quite the journey – a journey in the pursuit of knowledge, the quest to find my personal identity and discovery of the obligations I have to use the gifts I've been given for the greater good. Without a doubt I will leave this university a much different person than when I arrived in 2008. As a premiere academic program, the Honors Program has encouraged me to broaden my horizons and learn about topics I may not have otherwise. But I also have learned things as an Honors student that cannot be quantified by GPA or grades. One of the important lessons is: What good are your talents if you don't use them for the greater good and share them with others to promote their development? Celebrating tradition To celebrate 50 years, the Honors Program has brought back traditions such as the annual trip to Stratford, Ontario, to see the Shakespeare Festival, the walk across the Mackinac Bridge, Fireside chats and more. For information about Honors Program 50-year events, to donate to a scholarship or to learn more about today's Honors Program, contact Director Phame Camarena at phame. camarena@cmich.edu or 989-774-3902. As the editor of the student- produced newsletter Honor Bound, I did six full publications and have written projects ranging from poster designs to organizing a multimedia contest. But the most important part is that I've been able to share my journalism knowledge and skills with more than 100 volunteer writers in the past 2 1 /2 years. Kyle Terwillegar Hometown: Midland Major: Journalism Honors research: He examined how college students acquire news and the role social media plays in that process. The Honors Program has given me opportunities to develop my professional journalism and communication skills in a way I may never have been able to otherwise. I've been able to parlay these skills into my professional life as I pursue a career in sports information. Through my connections and publication experience, I landed a position in the CMU Athletics Department traveling around the country to cover and take photos of athletic events. And during the past year, I was able to share my insights and experiences with a new class of Honors students – as a mentor. I encouraged students to become involved in community projects. One of the things I am most proud of is raising more than $3,600 by co-organizing the first two charity balls in Honors Program history. The Honors Program and the people associated with it have impacted my life in a profound way that will guide me as I move forward in life, and I could never thank them enough for that. The past 50 years of Honors graduates understand this. And future classes of Honors students will feel the same way. Thank you, CMU, for giving me this opportunity. • centralight spring '12 13

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