Grand Valley State University hosted its first Scholars/Honors Program luncheon of the Winter 2000 semester on Monday in the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale campus.
A couple times each semester we invite faculty, staff, and Honors Program students to this luncheon, explained Bart Merkle, Provost and Dean of Students. It gives top scholars at the university a chance to make remarks on something they are interested in.
Dr. Jonathon White, interim dean of Social Sciences, was the guest speaker. White spoke on Why He Was Frederick the Great and Not Frederick the Pretty Good, a story of Frederick II, King of Prussia (1740-1786).
Frederick the Great is one of my favorite characters in history, said White. I have such a passion for him and Prussia that I like to share it with others.
More than 20 students from the GVSU Honors Program were on hand to hear White speak on his favorite historical figure. It is a good time for us to meet as a group, said Dawn Schneider, a statistics and economics major. You get to hear different topics being discussed.
Merkle said the event provides top academic students with exposure to top scholars interested in certain areas.
The Honors Program is designed for students who have demonstrated a high level of intelligence, motivation, creativity, and academic achievement in their previous studies. These students attend specially designed classes shared by other top academic students from all majors.
The program allows you to have a different way of thinking and looking at things, said Bailey Warstler, Honors Program student.
Previous Scholars/Honors Program luncheon speakers have included Beverly Seley from the Art and Design department who talked about jewelry making. Anthropology professor Janet Brashler discussed what is involved with an archaeological dig, and Julianne Vanden Wyngaard from the Music Department spoke on the process of making music.
