Academic Awards Honor "Pursuit of Excellence"
Kellie Herson
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
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The event, held on April 21, 2009 in the Sensenbrenner Memorial Union, was well-attended by honorees and members of the faculty and included speeches, a meal and the distribution of awards.
In brief remarks before the meal, President Thomas Kunkel said, "I often mention the pursuit of excellence, and this dinner honors those who have attained it."
The fact that the dinner does not just acknowledge students but also the faculty and the college as a whole was mentioned in the opening remarks of Michael Marsden, dean of the college and academic vice president.
As Marsden stated, "These awards confirm the work of the faculty and the value of the college. They make us proud and remind us about the worth and importance of our vocation as teachers and scholars."
After an invocation by Fr. Jay Fostner, O.Praem. Ph.D., vice president for mission and heritage, and the meal, Dr. Marcie Paul, associate professor of modern languages and literatures and director of the honors program, gave a brief speech on the importance of academic excellence and the liberal arts.
"No one perspective can illuminate the truth," said Paul, who told students to remain aware of the knowledge and development of disciplines other than their own.
While it is easy to be aware of this as a student at a liberal arts college, Paul stated, it often requires more work and discipline to maintain "critical thinking, creativity and intelligence beyond college. Our days become regimented. We lack time. We choose to associate with people like ourselves," said Paul.
After Paul's speech, all students graduating with GPAs of 3.75 or higher were honored at the ceremony with Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Awards, and students graduating with GPAs of 3.9 or higher received medals designed by world-renowned artist, Egino Weinert.
Of the 71 honorees, 24 were part of the education program at St. Norbert College-which makes sense, considering that one-third of St. Norbert College students are education majors according to Karen Cleereman, office manager of the master's of science in education program.
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