Ohio University: Honors Tutorial College:STUDENT PROFILE ARCHIVES

STUDENT PROFILE ARCHIVES

Andy Goodhart Senior | Cortland, Ohio | Political Science and International Relations

The greatest opportunity that has come my way because of HTC has been to study exactly what interests me with competent, passionate faculty. My education has progressed far more quickly than it would have otherwise, because I've had committed tutors who have challenged me and motivated my studies. Also, the HTC staff has provided me with more advice, support, and direction than I could have asked for.

The Honors Tutorial College, in one word, is intense. I think every field or occupation has a small group of people who are more motivated, passionate, and driven than most. The HTC is that for OU. It is a community of diverse and interesting people for which I know no equivalent.

I love the beauty and the restaurants of Athens. My favorite things to do are hike new trails and escape the stress of college, or try a new restaurant-one with flair and personality. The worst aspect of Athens is that there is no good Italian food!

I'm fascinated by the people of Appalachia, with their ingenuity, kindness, and self-sufficiency. I wish that America's detractors could spend some time with honest, kind people of all stripes across our nation and then sit down for an open, meaningful dialogue about our shortcomings. I think that would take us far.
It is a community of diverse and interesting people for which I know no equivalent.

All new freshmen should be encouraged to get involved in the community. This was advice to me and I've realized slowly how interesting and tightly-knit Athens is. It's not a far stretch to say that 'everyone knows everyone' and it is certainly not a stretch to say that we have more than our fair share of fascinating individuals. Our diversity here is more than superficial. What we have is a broad and meaningful mix of people with widely varying experiences, skills, stories, and personalities. You might find a few of them at a keg party, but you'll have to dig deeper into Athens if you want a really meaningful experience here.

Kelsey Brennan Class of 2007 | Dublin, Ohio | Theatre

I chose to attend the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University because it was important for me to choose a school that provided me with both an environment to grow and learn as an actor as well as one that would offer me outlets for other academic endeavors. The Honors Tutorial College encourages and praises my involvement in the Fine Arts and also allows me to partake in a more rounded, interdisciplinary education. Thanks to the structure of the program and its influential mentors I have been able to take classes in Music, Physics, Education, Nutrition, Classics, Political Science, complete a minor in English and still stay on track with my actor training.

My HTC experience, specifically in tutorials, has provided me with a rich academic context for my work in theatre and deepened my ambition and passion for the arts. Being in the Honors Tutorial College also gave me the means necessary to spend two weeks studying abroad in London, England, during Winter Intercession of my junior year. While I was in Europe, I saw at least one play or performance every day and was greatly influenced by the more worldly perspective I gained while abroad.

The Honors Tutorial College constantly challenges me as an artist and an academic, and encourages me to be involved on campus and “go the extra mile.” I am incredibly grateful for the teachers and mentors who have helped me receive a rich, eclectic education and will always be proud of the work I have completed within tutorials, onstage and informally.

My favorite thing about Athens is that it has an amazing community of local artists and entertainment! One of my favorite places is the Athena Theatre which shows a great collection of Art Series films as well as more popular blockbusters. I also love seeing live music Uptown, attending hockey games at Bird Arena, going to The Donkey for a warm caffeinated drink or to Casa Nueva for a one-of-a-kind meal, and of course seeing live theatre compliments of the OU School of Theatre!

A few fun things about me — I come from a family full of great musicians who have always encouraged me to be creative. For example, I love reading any and all things by Jonathan Safran Foer and Tom Stoppard. My favorite movie is Forrest Gump and I’ve never lived without a golden retriever!

To incoming students, I would definitely say to take advantage of every opportunity you’re given as a young student. Four years fly by so do everything you can to make the most of it!

Micah Mitchell Class of 2007 | Oberlin, Ohio | Communication Studies

No other collegiate experience could satisfy me to the degree that I have been satisfied by my academic studies in Ohio University's Honors Tutorial College. The HTC is structured in such a way that grants students the opportunity to work one-on-one with professors in their area of study. This tutorial setup has deepened my level of understanding and connectedness to academic material in a way that I have never before experienced. The flexible and supportive atmosphere makes it fun and easy to ascribe personal meaning to information, resulting in one intellectually stimulating experience after another!

In my sophomore year I was selected as one of two HTC students to spend four weeks in South Africa with a small group of Ohio University faculty and students. The opportunity came at little cost of my own and allowed me to learn about another county's rich history through personal interaction with host families, politicians, and other citizens.

My HTC status, and more importantly, what I've done with that status, set me apart from other applicants for Ohio University's student trustee position. Student members of Ohio University's Board of Trustees are appointed by the governor of Ohio to serve a two-year term. The position yields countless opportunities for personal and professional development.
The flexible and supportive atmosphere makes it fun and easy to ascribe personal meaning to information, resulting in one intellectually stimulating experience after another!

Ohio University's Athens campus is the most beautiful campus I've ever seen. I love East Green, College Green, Emeriti Park, "The Flying Bacon Strip Bridge" on West Green, the LGBT Programs Center, the HTC Common Room, and Stroud's Run. I feel happy when I'm out dancing with friends at Dance or Die, Casa Nueva, or just someone's home! I feel warm and fulfilled having conversations on campus after picking up a beverage from The Donkey, or the Front Room.

I do have a few words of wisdom for new students. Be honest and highly reflexive in everything you do. Take time to reflect on what you've learned after each class, each conversation, each program, and each reading experience. If you have trouble identifying what you've learned, speak out. Ask questions and give feedback. Discomfort is most often a precursor to growth, but challenging what you find unsettling is also essential. Give back; be civically responsible. Claim each component of your higher education experience. Seek balance so that your efforts yield happiness.

Clarissa KornellClass of 2006 | Akron, Ohio | Political Science

I would describe the Honors Tutorial College at OU as very rare. Based on what I have heard from other students at OU and students at other universities, it is very rare to work one-on-one with faculty members, let alone multiple times from your freshman year through your senior year. Also, the fact that the HTC administrators get to know each student personally really gives HTC students an edge when it comes to applications for scholarships, future academic programs, and jobs. As an HTC student I have received funding to study abroad in Ecuador and to intern twice in Washington, DC.

Because of the flexible course requirements I have been able to acquire a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Latin American Studies while taking a diverse assortment of classes.

My favorite places in Athens are the botanical garden next to Scott Quad, Franklin Avenue, the art gallery in Siegfried, Tony's and Casa, College Green- especially on a sunny day. Athens is far away from a lot of places, but that's only a bad thing if you're trying to get to those faraway places.

Incoming students, be sure to take advantage of being in the HTC and take some classes just because they sound interesting, even if they don't seem to fit into your plan for the future. Also, while you're in the dorms, live on East Green; it's the best green. Then move to Franklin Avenue; it's the best street.

Annie ValenteClass of 2006 | Solon, Ohio | Biological Sciences

HTC offers students the opportunity to rise above the normal university experience. As the time for garnering letters of recommendation and post-college advice approaches, I realize just how lucky I am to be in the HTC. I have had the good fortune to become very well acquainted with numerous professors at OU, who have provided an invaluable source of mentoring. College is a great place to make life-long friends, but being in the HTC makes it a great place to find life-long role models.

The Biological Sciences program, in all honesty, is very much the same as the rest of the university when it comes to classes you are taking. HTC adds an extra dimension of enrichment that comes from self-selected tutorials. I would say that the greatest function of the tutorials is to force you to think about what interests you about your field of study, not just passively take in information. When you have a director who is going to ask you every 10 weeks, ¨What do you want to study more of next quarter?¨, it really forces you to hone your interests.

Athens is a unique mixture of of nature, political activism, and classic college-type fun. My favorite place to hang out at in Athens is Casa Nueva, which has fantastic organic Mexican food as well as a great bar atmosphere, including nights such as Rock-n-Roll Karaoke Night and $2.00 Margarita Night. I'm in the love with the local music scene, and the annual Community Music Festival is hard to beat. I love to travel, but I'd pass up a night in many a foreign place just to see my favorite local band, Southeast Engine, play a show.

An interesting fact about me is that my English is struggling significantly due to the fact that I'm living in Salamanca, Spain and speaking very little of it. So you have to excuse my poor grammar. Another interesting fact... well, actually just sad... reading the NYTimes online makes me very homesick for the US. I once drove overnight to Charleston, South Carolina just because I felt like seeing the coast.

My words of advice to all incoming freshmen: don't study all the time. Do as much as you can in the four years you have. Make a point to have friends who are liberals, conservatives, communists, gun lovers, animal lovers, tree-huggers, philistines, musicians, football aficionados, rugby players, homosexuals, foreigners, dancing queens, library nerds, and drug addicts. They will all be invaluable.