University Honors Program
The People in Your Neighborhood
By Emma Kapp
From Chambers to Irving, the UD student neighborhood is full of friendly faces. Among these are the residents of the Honors Special Interest Houses (SIHs). Located at 432/428 Stonemill and 42 Woodland, the Honors SIHs bring together like-minded groups of friends committed to being ambassadors for the Honors Program.
The current SIH residents wanted to be affiliated with the Honors Program because of the opportunities for growth it provides.
“Living with these scholarly and focused individuals better allows me to both work on my academic courses and research while learning from others who are excelling in their own fields,” said senior Steven Borchers.
Senior Macey Berkley would agree. After living in an Honors SIH last year, she and her roommates decided to reapply.
“We really enjoy working with the Honors Program and Honors students,” she said.
Although the Honors SIH residents spend a lot of time focused on academics, their favorite part of living with their friends is just hanging out.
“During the week, we all take turns making dinner for each other. It’s great to try everyone’s cooking and spend time together,” said junior Sarah Yelsik.
Each Honors SIH has a theme representing what they would like to contribute to the greater UD community. These themes include research, unity and academic assistance. In planning events that fit their theme, Honors SIH residents set a goal of engaging with all students, whether they are in the Honors Program or not.
“Our events aim to bring different types of people together and pull from the various experiences that each person brings to help build a closer community,” Berkley said.
“We want to show that being an Honors student isn’t just about our own academic success, but about the success of our whole community,” Yelsik added.
By living together, the Honors SIH members feel they have developed their own community within the student neighborhood and have a better understanding of the Marianist ideal central to UD’s mission.
“We all groan a little whenever we hear ‘community,’ but it’s true,” said senior Ronald Knapp.
“My roommates and I have expanded our meaning of community to include a living space dedicated to helping those around you as a way to give back to a program that has afforded us so many opportunities,” Borchers said. “Community does not end when you arrive home; it innervates and extends to a new way of life dedicated to cooperation and service.”
For more information about Honors Special Interest Housing, visit https://udayton.edu/honors/program/honors_housing.php
