It's a fun and festive Friday for ye olde DHC. The celebration began at 4:00 PM at the Craig Circle of Scholars with the “Toasting of the Bricks,” honoring Truman Scholars Cadence Hatten and Vivi Ostheimer, Udall Scholars Susan Connelly, Ellannah Flat Lip and Vivi Ostheimer, Goldwater Scholar Bella Wengappuly, Marshall Scholar James Straw and Schwarzman Scholar Daniel Martin. After the toast, we walked over to the DHC patio for our celebration honoring Distinguished Alumni Teigan Avery, Brian Morgan, and Mariah Omeasoo, and 2026 Friend of the DHC, Matt Levitan. Our honors roots ensemble, led by DHC alumna Laura Clague, will provide music, and there will be refreshments. Join us in congratulating these inspiring award winners and in celebrating our entire honors community. I look forward to connecting with many of you over the course of the weekend.
Homecoming festivities Thursday included the UM Foundation's annual Fall Gathering — a wonderful opportunity to connect with honors friends, both new and long-time. Foundation President Cindy Williams was as eloquent as ever, and President Shinn was interrupted multiple times with applause. It was a great night to be a Grizzly. Aren't they all?
President Shinn (a very busy guy) made his first visit to the DHC Tuesday for our Scholar Reception honoring the incoming class of 2026 Presidential, Provost, and Dean's Leadership Scholars. Senior Scholars Susan Connelly and William Wheeler offered wise and wonderful remarks.
Also this week, Donuts with the DHC was a great start to the week; Awe and Curiosity students were thrilled by the stories Dean Rissler (from UM's new College of Science) shared of awe in science and nature; and the Honors Student Association moved forward with service project plans and wrote letters of gratitude to “hidden figures” on campus.
Next week will be another busy one; I always think of October as the heart of the semester. Here's some of what's in the hopper:
This morning's hike up the M trail started in the stars and ended with the sunrise lighting up the changing colors on campus. It felt like the perfect way to start Homecoming weekend. Here is John O Donohue's To Come Home to Yourself:
