I first joined the Honors Program as its director in July 2016. I am now concluding nearly six years of service, four of which were for my original term. The additional time came from when the university asked me to continue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the early part of my career, I also served eight years as the program’s scholarship coordinator. And, I am a proud program graduate from my time spent at La Sierra in the 1990s. You can say that Honors is in my blood; it always has been, and it always will be.
There are so many things for which to be thankful and so many people to thank: the faculty who teach in and support Honors in other ways by bringing their passion and expertise to the classroom; the academic leadership structure which has helped provide the resources for program success; and the staff from so many different departments, notably Residential Life, who have worked tirelessly to support the program’s mission. Finally, I want to thank the students from whom I have learned so much. The fruits of their work ethic, creativity, and passion for fostering community have been inspiring, particularly in the face of difficulty. Such was the case during the 2020-2021 protracted campus closure when a large core of dedicated students kept the program and its culture going.
For the rest of my life, I will look back on this time with great fondness. I learned, of course, so much about the program and its students but also about myself. Honors is an ever-changing community, and I am privileged that I was able to be a part of it and contribute to its success. Although I will no longer be serving in Honors as its director, I anticipate a continued role in the program in some fashion, whether it be in dropping by and interacting with students in South Hall, celebrating with seniors as they present their capstone research projects, or perhaps, one day, teaching in the curriculum once more. You see, Honors is truly in my blood!
–– Dr. Andrew Howe (Class of 1996, Outgoing Honors Program Director)