The Randolph-Macon College annual Honors Banquet was held April 21, 2016 in Birdsong Hall. The event celebrated the Honors Program and the exceptional students it serves.

Photos: Honors Banquet

This year, 41 students and faculty members attended the event. In addition, Provost William T. Franz was in attendance and offered a special thank-you message to students.

Since its inception in 1982, the Honors Program has provided outstanding students with a unique mix of academic and social opportunities. Sociology Professor Beth Gill, who directs the program, says the Honors Banquet is one of her favorite events of the year.

“The banquet is a wonderful way to celebrate our graduating Honors students while acknowledging the faculty and staff whose contributions make the program successful,” says Gill, the Charles J. Potts Professor of Social Sciences. “Our Honors students are talented, caring and committed individuals who make a positive impact on the world.” English Professor Marisa Cull serves as assistant director of the Honors Program.

Biology Professor Melanie Gubbels Bupp, last year’s recipient of the Art Conway Enthusiasm for Teaching and Learning Award, presented a talk entitled “The Journey: In Two Parts.”

“I gave the students a brief summary of the events and people that influenced my decision to attend graduate school versus medical school, and shared with them a twist that occurred in my research while at RMC,” she says. “The take-away message was that the journey to a career or professional goal is very rarely a straight line. It is often the turns and twists in the road that make life interesting and worthwhile.”

Philosophy Professor Benjamin Huff, who served as assistant director of the Honors Program from 2009-2013, was presented the 2016 Art Conway Enthusiasm for Teaching and Learning Award.The award is given annually to a faculty member who exhibits and transmits to his or her students an enthusiasm for teaching and learning. In 2009, the first year the award was given, Biology Professor Art Conway was presented the award in appreciation for his many years of cheerful and selfless service to the Honors Program and the college. Professors teaching honors courses are given first consideration, but any professor can be nominated.