An Honors Look at the Frank Bruni Lecture
September 18, 2015
By Emma Alexander, Student Communications Intern
In the beginning of August this year, an article by Frank Bruni was published in the New York Times. The article, entitled “A Prudent College Path,” discussed the concept of the Honors College and explored many perspectives on the subject matter, bringing to light the many benefits and opportunities which honor colleges offer to students.
Last week, the same writer, Frank Bruni, visited Purdue to present as a part of the Presidential Lecture Series, and several honors college students and faculty members attended his lecture.
During his lecture, Bruni discussed and reflected on many opportunities and qualities which are key to getting the most out of the college experience. Coincidentally, all of the aforementioned qualities and opportunities are innate characteristics of the Honors College here at Purdue.
Dr. Diane Facinelli, the Assistant Dean for Global Affairs and a Professor for the Honors College, attended Bruni’s lecture. She later noted while reflecting on her experience at the lecture that, “It just affirmed that we are doing exactly what we should be doing.”
However this lecture not only reaffirmed such thoughts in the minds of faculty, but reassured and inspired students as well. One attending student, Zach Hellman, commented,
The lecture reaffirmed my feelings towards the honors college. Although Frank never mentioned honors programs directly, he did mention homogeny and its detrimental effects on students. He pointed out that some students go to college and simply "make their high school bigger" by hanging out with the same people and doing the same things. Even when they join a student organization, students are usually spending time with people who are most like them. The honors college is unlike student organizations, because it brings together the best students of Purdue regardless of who they are. It provides countless opportunities for the exchange of diverse cultures and ideas, which is exactly where innovation comes from.
As our Honors College here at Purdue continues to develop and grow, it is encouraging to know that it is making such a positive impact on every aspect of students’ lives every step of the way. I encourage you to embrace all that the honors college allows you to do: innovate, inspire, succeed, and Boiler Up!
Take a moment to read the aforementioned article here, and sneak a peek at what the national community has to say about Purdue’s Honors College and similar programs here.
