This Saturday, May 1, 2010 starting at 9:30 a.m., Gustavus will be honoring its many students for Honors Day. It will consist of a reception, a convocation, a luncheon and many exhibits from various groups on campus.

Honors Day holds a tradition of simply recognizing students for their academic achievements. Students will be honored for a variety of categories, including GPA, scholarships or research, among others.

Honors Day will begin, weather permitting, in the Johns Family Courtyard for a coffee reception at 9:30 am. Following the reception is the Honors Convocation in Christ Chapel. During the convocation, students will be  recognized for their academic achievement. The Honors Day Luncheon Buffet in the Evelyn Young Dining Room will follow at 11:30 p.m.. A ticket is required for students and families wishing to attend.

The Convocation always begins with the previous winner of the Carlson Award, which is a faculty member from campus, delivering a welcome address. Next the winner of the Bunn-Swenson Award is announced. The Bunn-Swenson award is always given to a faculty member, nominated by students. Following the Bunn-Swenson award, the honor societies are introduced. Lastly, individual students are introduced for their achievements for scholarships, fellowships, departmental achievements and other recognitions.

Sophomore Psychology Major Danika Anastasi said, “Honors Day is important because it recognizes those at Gustavus who have achieved academic excellence. … It is a day a student can stand up during the chapel invocation speech to be recognized for all of the hard work that each Gustavus student does.”

“Honors day is important because it is a day devoted to recognizing students’ achievements in our community.” Senior Biology Major Nicole Soiseth said. Soiseth is being honored for inclusion on the President’s List.

Sophomore Physics Major, Nara Higano is being honored for her GPA and for being a member of the National Honor Society for Greek and Latin students, Eta Sigma Phi. “I think that Honors Day functions to recognize the hard work and achievements of some of Gustavus’ bright students. However, I opted not to go for a few different reasons. One reason that I passed on attending Honors Day is that I feel that hard work should be its own reward and that praise shouldn’t be a motivation for achievement. A second reason that I will not be attending Honors Day is that the events planned for the day do not especially reflect my personal interests,” Higano said.

After the morning recognition, different activities will be occurring. In Bjorling Recital Hall, the Senior Honors Recital will be taking place. In Old Main following the recital, will be the Political Science Research Symposium. Lastly, the Gustavus Choir and the Gustavus Wind Orchestra & Vasa Wind Orchestra will be having separate concerts in Christ Chapel.

“This is one time during the school year when the provost’s office and the faculty of the College can formally recognize the achievements of students and celebrate their academic success publicly. With all the rigor of the curriculum here, I think that it’s important that we pause periodically to celebrate good work,” Director of Publications, Steve Waldhauser said.

Honors Day will be held all day Saturday, May 1 running from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at various locations on campus.