Student Profiles
Read about the experiences of real-life, current HTC students below. An actress, a journalist, a political scientist and a student trustee all took a few minutes out of their busy schedules to
sit down and give us their take on what being an student in the Honors Tutorial College entails.
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.
--Kelsey Brennan, HTC Theater
Jordan Pleasant
Senior |
Chattanooga, Tennessee |
Philosophy
I chose to attend OU for a number of diverse personal and circumstantial reasons. The two deciding factors in the end were the appeal of the standards of academic excellence at the HTC and the ineffable beauty of the campus and of Southeast Ohio in general. I chose the Honors Tutorial College because I expected that it would challenge me to grow intellectually and artistically in ways that other programs could not. I was right.
HTC has allowed me the full use of my own prudent character in academic matters; in other words, I have been able to pursue my academic career with special regard to my individual interests and talents. Further, the HTC has been an invaluable resource for meeting like-minded students and professors with whom I have collaborated very productively.
Of all my accomplishments while being an HTC student, I am probably most proud of the growing number of languages I have learned, and the poems and translations I have been able to publish during my undergraduate career, although I can't overlook the Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad and the Critical Languages Supplement Scholarship, which have provided me with the means to study Arabic in Cairo. HTC and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards have both proven to be treasure chests. They have inspired, driven, and supported my academic aspirations in more ways than I can mention.
OU and Athens stand apart from other universities and colleges because of academic excellence and scenic beauty. The natural environment in Southeast Ohio seems to perpetuate a healthy state of mind and a clear and focused environment for intellectual development, not to mention that professors and students alike are so helpful and friendly.
For incoming freshman: be mature, exacting, and put all of your effort into everything you do. OU and the HTC will always be there to support you, so don't be afraid to accept intimidating challenges and to take risks. Finally: talk to other students and professors--it can never hurt to make friends.
Justin Lucas
Junior |
Grove City, Ohio |
Telecommunications
I chose Ohio University specifically because of the HTC. I had a full-ride tuition, room, board and books scholarship to another university, but I felt that the Honors Tutorial College offered a unique level of interaction with professors and university staff and that it would challenge me more intellectually than would any other institution. It was a difficult decision, given how tight a college student sometimes has to be about finances, but in the end, the opportunity to study at a higher, more personal level won out over my monetary worries. And then OU furnished me with a full tuition scholarship to boot, so it worked out even better in the end.
The Honors Tutorial College has completely revolutionized my ideas of a college lifestyle. Being able to design my own one-on-one tutorials with professors in my field has given me more control over my curriculum and my learning than I would ever have thought possible. Priority scheduling has allowed me the privilege to take challenging, thought-provoking classes, but it has also given me a chance to balance that schedule with more energetic classes like Hockey and Tennis. So I’ve not only been able to push myself academically through HTC, but I’ve been able to deal with stress, manage my time and enjoy the typical college lifestyle even while I better my mind with personalized curriculum.
Since coming to college, I have been blessed with many opportunities to celebrate knowledge and community. Some of my proudest achievements have come from working closely with great professors and peers. I’ve had the chance to research the writings of one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, and present my findings alongside my fellow researchers in New York City. I’ve co-founded a student film group that has won or placed in several local contests and has received recognition and patronage from across the state. I’ve been awarded a King Foundation Scholarship for my research work in the field of Telecommunications, studying audience analysis and why people watch shows like NBC’s Heroes. And I’ve learned how to prepare and give a sermon, write film reviews and play ice hockey. So my biggest accomplishment in my mind is learning such a diverse assortment of things in such a short amount of time.
I never would have learned any of these things without the help of the HTC. Whether through priority scheduling with [HTC Administrative Associate] Kathy White, help with scholarship applications from [Office of Nationally Competitive Awards Director] Ann Brown or maternal pushes toward video greatness from Deans Jan Hodson and Ann Fidler, the Honors Tutorial College has allowed me to achieve greatness by putting me in a situation where I could attempt great things. Whether it is through funding or schedule wrangling, the whole college has always been there to help me make it through and to push me toward greater things.
Ohio University differentiates itself from other college towns by retaining both an old-time atmosphere and a progressive outlook on education and recreation. There is such a diversity of activities, both academic and just plain fun, for students to fill their time with. From concerts to comedians to intellectual debates, the campus offers a stimulating mix of ideas and venues in which to share them. All of this takes place with student needs in mind, and I think that shows in the school’s dedication to the marriage of strong curriculum and entertaining extracurriculars. That is what makes OU different, and quite frankly better, than any other university. Oh, and have I mentioned the amazing HTC?
My favorite part of Athens is the atmosphere. There’s always something going on, always something available to keep you busy, day or night. But there is also a very laid-back feeling to the campus. If you feel like staying in for a quiet evening or just being with a close group of friends, Athens offers plenty of comfortable, peaceful places to just enjoy the college life. Athens encompasses everything from Strouds Run to Dance or Die, and all these offerings create an atmosphere that is both energetic and relaxed, the perfect setting for a university experience.
To incoming freshmen, I would definitely say, “Have fun.” Make friends. Have debates on topics that are really important to you. Leave your dorm room door open when you’re home so friends can stop and chat. Share. Trust. Laugh. Love. Learn how to balance your time, how to push yourself hard intellectually but also how to relax and enjoy the best company you will have in your entire life. Go to Strouds Run and have a cookout and a swim. Go to Ping and have a pick-up dodgeball game. Learn a new sport. Take classes that aren’t required just because they sound fun and stimulating. Eat at Burrito Buggy, Souvlaki’s and Casa at least once. Help out with local community service projects. Study hard, but not at the expense of sleep or friendships. Schedule at least one quarter where you can sleep in until noon if you want to. Schedule at least one quarter without class on Fridays. Meet people in every other major. Read books for fun. HAVE FUN! YOU ARE ON THE CUSP OF ADULTHOOD. ENJOY ACTING LIKE A KID SOMETIMES, AND ENJOY BEING GROWN UP SOMETIMES. BALANCE IT ALL, AND COLLEGE WILL BE THE GREATEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE.
Liz Nalepa
Junior |
Youngstown, Ohio |
Mathematics
I originally had my heart set on Colgate University in New York because I loved the campus and their interesting ideas about a liberal arts education. My parents, however, convinced me to come look at HTC to see if I liked its education style. I loved HTC, and it’s a better program for a better price, and I got to come to Athens to boot, which is just as beautiful as upstate New York (and doesn’t smell like cows!).
HTC has really affected my academic experience. All of my professors are just enthused to have me around. From ceramics to French literature to history, I have been welcomed with open arms despite the fact that I am a math major. My adviser is not only always willing to meet with me and discuss my academic career, but also just interested in spending time with me as a person. They are more like thesis advisers than undergraduate advisers and I like the closeness. HTC also has allowed me to pursue a French degree along with my math major, and even graduate on time.
HTC has also enabled me to participate in a research apprenticeship program. Under the program I worked with a faculty member on a research project. Of all my college achievements, I am most proud of the results of that apprenticeship. It was in a field totally outside of my own of which I only had a basic knowledge (genetics), but I dove right in and ended up solving a couple of interesting problems and coming up with a pet project of my own.
Coming to Ohio University, specifically HTC, is really like getting the best of both worlds. It isn’t a small university, and yet it isn’t in a big town. The campus is just gorgeous regardless of the season and I love walking to class year round.
To incoming students, I’d say to try new things, but not too many new things. Set aside time each quarter to try out one group or organization that sounds cool to you.
Dan Hoy
Senior |
Findlay, Ohio |
Physics
My HTC experience has been wonderful. I have been able to study exactly what interests me, and have unique relationships with my professors based on my one-on-one tutorials. Last winter, for example, I was interested in studying the terrorism of ETA and parallels between this case of terrorism in Spain and the brand of terrorism that the United States is facing. (Quite shockingly,) there wasn't a course covering that, but through the HTC, I was able to make one. I have also been fortunate to have one physics class every quarter conducted one-on-one with a professor. Those tutorials have allowed me to focus on the things that I find interesting and attack the areas that I didn't understand from the reading.
The life of an HTC student isn't all about studies, though. For me, Donkey Coffee, the trails on the Ridges, and College Green are the best places in Athens. Catching one of the many shows that go on, enjoying the great outdoors, enjoying the hang-out joints, and swing dancing are all great ways to pass the time. The worst part of living in Athens is the difficulty of getting groceries without a car
My word of advice for incoming students: Make a four-year plan as early as possible. Even if you don't follow it, dreaming is essential to success.
Greg Rosen
Sophomore | Centerville, Ohio |
Physics
I have always learned better when I can confront someone with questions in a small-lecture setting, and the tutorial is the extreme of such a setting. I could not find another program like the HTC anywhere in the United States, and certainly not within Ohio. It seemed to be tailor-made to the style of education that I wanted, while still offering a relatively stress-free quality of life as compared to other academic powerhouses.
It seemed to be tailor-made to the style of education that I wanted, while still offering a relatively stress-free quality of life as compared to other academic powerhouses.
Although I am only a freshman, I have already been invited to engage in summer research here at the University. This would be unheard of at many other universities. HTC is a somewhat unnerving but fully rewarding experience that forces you to reevaluate your own concepts of what it means to understand and take action in your field of study.
Since I am an avid coffee drinker, my heart goes out to Athens' coffee shops. I love the Baker front Room, the Donkey Cafe, and Brenens. I also like the Baker recreation room, as well as the Ping Center. If I am leaving for a night on the town, I usually end up shmoozing with friends, shooting pool, or dropping in on one of the myriad parties in Athens, especially on the weekends.
A few words of wisdom: Don't worry about doing things "right" the first time. This applies to your tutorial as well as general life on campus. It's a new thing, and with all new things, mistakes inevitably happen. Just let them happen.
Marie Braasch
Sophomore | Athens, Ohio |
Biological Sciences
One of the greatest reasons in my mind to be a part of the HTC was the guaranteed research opportunities. Professors in the Biosci Department favor HTC students, even freshmen, because we have already shown that we are high caliber students. I was able to start doing research in a lab during the summer before my freshman year, and I think that having been accepted into the HTC was a key factor in my professor's decision to let me in. Another reason was the small, close-knit community that the HTC provides. Since there are so few of us, I know all of the HTC Biosci majors in my year well, and was able to click with them since the very beginning of school because we already had something in common.
It is a great experience to learn so much; I'm maturing as a scientist and a scholar, and also it's wonderful to have an awesome group of people to hang out with.
The fact that I was accepted into a lab even though I'm only a freshman is definitely a great opportunity. I cannot stress enough how valuable that research experience is. Also, the tutorials which are at the core of the HTC are really great experiences to study a topic really in depth. I don't know where else you would be able to study literally any subject that you wanted, as long as you can find a faculty member who knows something about it.
Talking about HTC, I won't try to hide the fact that it is a lot of work, but I have come to truly discover that learning a lot and working hard go hand in hand. I think that when you know people are expecting a lot out of you, you give a lot, and that's what happens when you're in the HTC. It is a great experience to learn so much; I'm maturing as a scientist and a scholar, and also it's wonderful to have an awesome group of people to hang out with.
STUDENT PROFILES ARCHIVE
Click here to read profiles that some of our former students wrote before they graduated from the Honors Tutorial College last year.