University Honors Program

 As June comes to an end, it is the perfect time to see what our signature program cohorts have been up to!

Berry Summer Thesis Institute:

Our Berry Summer Thesis Institute (BSTI) cohort  just hit the halfway mark on their summer long program here on campus. These ten students have been conducting research, learning about ethics, and volunteering in the community. The BSTI program is for students wanting to start their honors thesis research early. The BSTI students are researching different topics including philosophy, psychology, engineering, and biology. The students will continue their research for the next five weeks and then will present their projects at the BSTI symposium taking place on July 21st from 8:30-4:30 in Sears Recital Hall (all are welcome!). 

While learning about ethics, the students have had the opportunity to hear from different faculty members from across the university share what ethics looks like in their field. 

They have also been volunteering with the Mission of Mary Cooperative.  Mission of Mary serves the Twin Towers neighborhood here in Dayton by transforming uncultivated green spaces into vegetable gardens and sharing the harvest with their neighbors. Every week the students have put in hard work to help give back to the Dayton community!

The London Flyers:

The London Flyers are wrapping up their time in London. Six weeks ago, six students traveled to London to participate in an internship and take classes. The London Flyers have been using their time in Europe to not only learn and work, but to explore and immerse themselves in the culture. Since arriving in London, the students have traveled to many different places. They have visited different places around the UK, for example Stonehenge and the city of Bath. They have also had the opportunity to travel outside of the UK to visit countries such as Iceland, and Portugal. When they aren’t traveling, the London Flyers have been exploring everything the city of London has to offer. They have gone to different museums, gardens, festivals, and celebrations in London!

The Oxford Flyers:

The Oxford Flyers are finishing up their research at the University of Oxford this week. Six weeks ago, four students, who are each completing an honors thesis, traveled to the UK to conduct research. Since arriving, students have been working tirelessly on their research. In their free time, they have been exploring everything the UK has to offer. They have all been studying in gorgeous libraries including the Radcliffe Camera, seeing performances at the Sheldonian Theatre, spending time outside at Port Meadows, visiting different colleges, going to different meals in Oriel, and even seeing Oriel's Garden Play! They also got to see the eights rowing competition, and their college won the men's division, so they celebrated by burning a boat on Oriel's Quad! They also traveled to Edinburgh and visited the National Museum of Scotland, Victoria Street, Arthur's Seat, and Prince's Street Park. When the Oxford Flyers return to campus in the Fall, they will continue their honors thesis research and will present their projects at the Honors Student Symposium in the Spring. 

The DC Flyers:

The DC Flyers are almost halfway through their internships in Washington DC! A month ago, ten students moved to Washington DC to work at various internships. Students have been working in international development organizations such as  Counterpart International, Peace Corps, and RTI International, on Capitol Hill, and at various other organizations such as the Alpine Group, The Carmen Group, and IHRSA. When students aren’t working at their internships, they have been meeting with alumni, expanding their networks, and exploring the city. Students have visited various museums in DC, attended sporting events, and conducted interviews with alumni in fields that interest them!

Students in each of these cohorts have been working extremely hard all summer and we wish them nothing but the best in the final weeks of their internships, travel, and research!

If you want to learn more about participating in any of these experiences next summer, reach out to the Honors Program at honorsinfo@udayton.edu.