Jupiter, FL (November 15, 2011)—Like all undergraduate honors programs, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University is relatively small in comparison to the University as a whole. In fact, the Wilkes Honors College consists of only about one percent of the total population of FAU. However, its small size does not prevent the students of the Honors College from being actively involved in student life on other campuses. This year the Honors College was proud to have its students occupy four out of the ten positions in FAU’s homecoming court, and also to have one of its students receive the prestigious Talon Student Award, presented during the Homecoming festivities.
            The Honors College was represented on the Homecoming Court by students Alex Lange, Kaitlin Gallagher, Austin Estes, and Lauren Gomez. Court members were given front row seats at the Homecoming Comedy Show and were also honored during the weekend’s football game, where they were recognized on the field of FAU’s brand-new stadium. Court member Alex Lange remarks, “My favorite part was being reminded of the amount of support I had from my peers not only at the Honors College but in the university as a whole when it came time to elect the Homecoming King. It meant so much to me to have that support, despite not winning.” For Austin Estes, Homecoming was equally special. “I really enjoyed being able to participate in University-wide events and feel more connected to FAU as a whole. Being on Homecoming Court provided an opportunity to experience the best of both worlds: the intimacy of the Honors College and the excitement of a large university.”
            Getting to Homecoming was not an easy task for the Honors College representatives. Each needed to undergo a difficult application process, which included a lengthy written application as well as an interview with a board of students and faculty members from the various FAU campuses. Homecoming Court members were later informed of their acceptance. “I was pretty excited,” describes Estes. “I got the call the same day that my roommate, Alex Lange, found out he was going to be on court too so it was a good day.” The Honors College was also proud to have their very own Megan Allore receive the Talon Student Award, which is given to individuals and organizations who exhibit exceptional service to the university. Allore’s recognition made the Homecoming festivities even more special for Honors College students, all of whom were very pleased to see a fellow student receive such a prestigious award.
            Homecoming Court members say that there is a great explanation for why one percent of FAU’s population represented forty percent of the Homecoming Court this year. “I think we have a very unique community of talented students here at the Honors College, and the fact that four of the ten spots on Homecoming Court were given to students from our campus proves it,” states Estes. “Our college may be small, but everybody is involved in campus and university life in some way.” Court member Alex Lange agrees. “I think the reason so many of us applied to be on the Homecoming Court was that we feel such a strong connection to the Honors College and FAU as a whole that we believed we would be the best representation on the Homecoming Court. The Honors College really produces quality students that are stellar academically and socially.”
           Homecoming Court members hope that the tradition of a strong presence in the Homecoming Court will continue in upcoming years. “Year after year, we continue to represent our campus on the Homecoming Court and I don't think that this trend should end anytime soon,” says Estes. Dr. Jeffrey Buller, the Dean of the Honors College, is also very proud of these students’ representation in the Homecoming Court.  “I think there’s a misconception that, simply because the Honors College is in Jupiter, its students don’t take advantage of the activities on other campuses.  Just as our faculty members travel between campuses frequently to serve on committees and act as full members of the university committee, so do our students take leadership roles in student government, residence life, and all the other aspects of student life found in Boca and elsewhere.  I know every one of the students from the Honors College on this year’s Homecoming Court and, believe me, FAU could not have made better choices.”

byline: WHC Student Intern Megan Geiger