Karen Conn
Welcome to The Honors College and HC 100! My name is Karen and I am a member of The Honors College staff. I am your second "go to" person for HC 100. Your cell group leader will be your primary contact, but if there is anything you need extra help with, I am available.
Just so you know a little bit about me; I love reading, gardening, hanging out with friends and family and working with all of the students in the Honors College. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you this year!
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STUDENT ASSISTANTS-
"We are here to help YOU!
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Shannon Cooley
"Hey guys! My name is Shannon Cooley, and I'll be your Student Assistant this year. I'm a second year senior, double majoring in English and History with a concentration in American Studies. I love reading, being outside, going on adventures, and being with friends. I also love meeting new people, so please feel free to come introduce yourselves. My job will mostly be to help out Karen and Dr. Harper, and assist the CGL's should they need anything. This class is great, it'll really help you get used to the University, as well as meet a ton of great people who will become your close friends. This is going to be a great year, I'm really excited to get started and meet all of you!" |
Alex Morton
Hi!! My name is Alex Morton, and I will be one of your student assistants for HC100. I am a junior studying Biology, Pre-Med with a minor in Spanish. I also work at the Rec Center on campus as a lifeguard. Outside of class and work I love to play sports, read, travel and do basically anything outdoors. I spent the last semester abroad in Spain and traveling Europe, which was an experience of a lifetime. Last year I was a CGL, and I am excited to take on this new role. As a student assistant, I will be another contact for you in the Honors College. PLEASE feel free to ask me any questions or come to me with any concerns; I am here to help YOU. HC100 is a great way to get involved in the Honors College and to meet some of your best friends. I am really looking forward to meeting all of you, and to trying my best to make this a great experience for you!!
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FIND YOUR CELL GROUP LEADER
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Amanda Breitner
"Hi OU Honors College Freshmen! My name is Amanda. I am a senior English with Secondary Education major with Spanish as my minor. This is my second year as a cell group leader because I love the Honor College, teaching, and HC100. Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, Harry Potter, legos, reading, and zumba are simply a few of my favorite things. I can't wait to meet all of you in my group and I'm looking forward to a great Fall 2012."
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Fara DiNoto
Hello Honors College Freshmen! I am Fara Di Noto: Psychology major, Studio Art minor, Cinema Studies minor, record-holding napper, and cheese enthusiast. I take photos. My art has been on exhibition in Portland, Oregon. In the summer of 2011 I studied abroad in Italy, ask me about it. If I could, I would suggest you take a break from the stresses of summer and indulge your ears in the sounds of Sufjan Stevens and Dog & Panther, I know I will. Each year I try to read every Harry Potter book I own with my puppy, Milo, who growls like a lion. I like to work; I work in the Honors College, Havenwyck Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Purcell’s lab, Dr. Taku’s statistics Teaching Assistant, and as a CGL. I also volunteer at my church. That is me in a medium sized nutshell. I look forward to meeting you, reader of this blurb, especially if you are not in my group, because you spent precious time reading this bio.
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Noha Elghoroury
Hi everyone! I'm Noha Elghoroury, and I'm a junior here at Oakland University majoring in Health Science. I'm working towards getting accepted into med school so fingers crossed. Oakland is a great university, and there are so many opportunities here for any and every major. And I love the Honors College experience! The classes I've taken through Honors College, including HC 100, have taught me different ways of learning and have opened my eyes to a variety of things. I'm here to make your transition from high school to college as smooth as possible. I like to surround myself around good people with positive energy, so I'm hoping that we have a great group of people so we can enjoy this semester. I'm really excited to be a cell group leader, and I'm looking forward to meeting you all! And I'm going to try my best to help you all gain a positive and memorable Honors College experience like I did.
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Nicole Ensink
Hey everybody! I’m Nicole Ensink, my major is Elementary Education and I hope one day to be involved in Special Education teaching. I love helping people, and I believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn and succeed! I’m really excited to be a CGL this year. I took the class last year and I thought it was a great way to get to know others in the honors college, and get to know the campus. I hope to make the freshman experience at Oakland an easy and fun transition for you! Outside of school I love hanging out with friends, reading, writing, and singing. I hope everyone is excited for this class, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all next fall!
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Samantha Gomez
Hi, I am Samantha and I am majoring in Health Science. I chose a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy after a sports injury. Physical Therapy helped me to re-learn how to walk, something I never thought I would need to do! Fortunately I recovered, and I’d love to help others overcome limitations. As for being your CGL… I am very approachable, and eager to answer your questions about Oakland! I live on 4 West Vandenberg. Our floor is especially involved, and I love the community the honors college has brought to it. I am always up for a quick jog around campus, or hitting up a dance class at the recreation center. I’ve held two on-campus jobs: Oakland Post Distributor and OU Tele-fund Ambassador. I have a contagious laugh, and you’ll find that I’m pretty easy to amuse. I hope that you’re all as excited for Fall 2012 as I am. I can’t wait to meet you all! |
Joe Grzywacz
Hey everybody, I’m Joe and I am majoring in Secondary Education in Mathematics. I know math doesn’t sound like the most exciting subject to teach but for some weird reason I like it and I am really looking forward to becoming a teacher. So pretty much if you have any math questions you can send them my way and I’ll do the best I can to help you out. I’m the type of person who is always glad to help out with anything at all. My door is always open and you guys can feel free to stop by and see me anytime you want. I live on floor 5 of West Vandenberg. You will be able to tell which room is mine because of the loud music rattling the door frame. I love music and am constantly listening to it. Some of my favorite bands are Rise Against and Billy Talent. But besides music, sports are at the top of my list. I played football and ice hockey in high school and I am always up for learning a new game or just throwing a Frisbee around. I hope you all had a wonderful summer and look forward to meeting each and every one of you.
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Evan Jones
Hi, I am Evan Jones. Currently, I am a Junior studying Political Science and most likely Linguistics as a second major. This will be my second year at Oakland and I am more than excited to be a cell group leader. Besides being a cell group leader, I am also involved in Student Congress's Multicultural Affairs Committee and will be the President of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honors society here on campus. I love traveling and went to Germany and Paris last summer. I am studying Chinese and plan to study abroad in China in 2014 if possible. I would eventually love to earn a master's degree somewhere abroad as well, but that is a long way off. Although education is a huge priority in my life, most of my time is spent playing my bass guitar and harmonica. Your first semester at OU should be a great experience, particularly the HC 100 class. I hope to make it enjoyable for all of you and can not wait to meet you.
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Liz Lawer
Hello! My name is Liz Lawer and I am currently majoring in Philosophy, with a minor in Women and Gender Studies—with this degree I plan on being the next Descartes as I sit at home, doing nothing, and ponder life and its elements! When I’m not at school or going to work, I often spend time reading, adventuring in the forest or on the road, watching movies, and spending time with friends. I am a Harry Potter fanatic, love solving Sudoku puzzles, and an avid flip-flop wearer. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all this semester!
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Paul Marvin
Hey all! I’m Paul Marvin, a senior here at OU. I am a double major- Biology and Spanish Language and Literature- though I study anything that I can in my spare time. Following my education at OU I hope to attend medical school and eventually make a more significant impact on the lives of others. I currently work as an EMT-B for Beaumont Medical Transportation and am a volunteer in Crittenton’s ER, though I try volunteer in any way I can and am always in pursuit of new experiences. I enjoy doing anything that challenges me to learn and progress- an addiction that has exposed me to many of the world’s diversity and fun. I have many past times but I mostly stay active or discover new interests when not catering to other obligations. OU is an amazing place to grow, and I aspire to help you transition to have the best experience possible. I’m involved with several organizations and causes on campus, so I am confident that I can help you with any questions you may have as you begin life here at Oakland (or at the very least help you find the answers you are looking for!).I am thrilled to be a part of your first semester at Oakland, as I am certain it will be a positive and meaningful experience. ¡Hasta pronto!
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Marissa Matthews
Hey guys! My name is Marissa and next year I will be starting my
junior year at Oakland. I am a Biology major with a pre-med
concentration. After graduation, I hope to continue onto medical
school and eventually become a doctor. I'm currently working at
Applebee's as well as volunteering once a week at Troy Beaumont. In my
spare time, I love to go camping, spend time with friends, watching
movies, and traveling. I also love to read and watch sports, football
is my favorite. I love all types of music, but right now I'm really
into country. I'm so excited to meet you all in the fall and learning
all about each and every one of you. Have a great summer and see you
in the fall!!!
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Candice Novinski
Hey guys! I’m Candice, a double major (English and Cinema Studies) at Oakland. Ideally, I’ll end up in New York working for publishing, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see. I love Oakland and in fact work as a Resident Assistant for one of the Honor’s College floors in West Vandenberg, so don’t be shy about using me as a housing resource. Besides Housing and Honor’s College, I’m also in involved with S.O.P.E. our green initiative on campus. I highly encourage everyone to really engage with campus events and would be glad to help anyone get started. Beyond being involved on campus, I love basically all mediums of entertainment from books to movies, music and television. I hope everyone had an amazing (and hopefully restorative) summer, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone :D
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Whitney Smith
Hi. My name is Whitney Smith and I am a junior here at Oakland University. I am a linguistics major trying to earn my teaching English as a second language certification. I will be a Resident Assistant this year in East Vandenberg and just got back from doing the Disney College Program. I love American Sign Language and hope to earn a masters in speech pathology. If you are looking for me, you can usually find me in the Bumpers Game Room or at Juggling Club here on campus. I love to do the Diabolo (a type of juggling) and I am learning how to unicycle this Fall if I don’t run my instructor over with it first. I am really excited to be a Cell Group Leader this fall and look forward to meeting all of you in a great and exciting term.
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Jackie Spezia
¨ Hey guys! I´m Jackie, a Junior majoring in Spanish and International Relations. I spent last winter semester studying abroad in Spain and will be interning in the Study Abroad Office this year so if you have any questions about studying abroad feel free to ask. This is my first year as a CGL but I did take HC 100 as a freshman so I know what its like. I love to watch movies but I hate scary movies likes Disney´s Beauty and the Beast, any of the Harry Potter movies, and V for Vendetta (all of which I find terrifying). I´m really looking forward to meeting you all and like you already since you chose to join the Honors College!! See you soon!
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Rachel Voight
Hey guys! I'm Rachel Voight, and I'm so pumped to be a CGL this year. I'm a sophomore majoring in Biology, hoping to study Ecology. In addition to playing with bugs and quoting my favorite TV show, The Big Bang Theory, you can find me in a Varner Hall practice room, playing flute. This year, I'll be living on 3 West. I'm also a Nightwatch Deskworker for Housing and a Leadership Consultant for the CSA. I love classical music, meeting people, and, well, not sleeping. This year, HC 100 is going to be absolutely great and I'm so excited! If you have any questions about campus involvement, the Honors College, music ensembles, or anything, don't hesitate to ask!
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Steven Wynne
Hi everyone! My name is Steve Wynne, and I am studying English Secondary and German K-12 Education, as well as minoring in theatre and American Studies. When my educational trek is over, I hope to teach English in a German upper-level high school (a Gymnasium).
I am very excited to return as a cell group leader in the Fall! This will be my second year as a cell group leader for the colloquium. A little summary of me: After spending a year in Germany as an exchange student last year and a few additional weeks this summer for research, I speak, teach, tutor and translate German for Oakland University and a private language company here in Rochester. I also work for Career Services as a Peer Mentor, if you ever need to buff up your resume or your interview skills, and am also president of the International Allies Organization, if you ever need or want to hang out with international students or want to attend one of our many international events on-campus! Also, I swing dance, act, and play piano when I have time, which is seldom.
Being a cell group leader has been one of my most rewarding experiences at Oakland, and I hope that yours in the Freshman Colloquium will be, as well!
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