Awaken the Dreamer Retreat

At the Upper Midwest Honors Council conference a week ago, we heard a talk by some students from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.  They have incorporated Awaken the Dreamer/Changing the Dream into their curriculum at the college.  They have offered to come to Wartburg and have a retreat for the Scholars Program in the Fall.  This is an introductory video.

Please let us know if you are interested by filling out the questionnaire.

Back from UMHC

We had a great, educational time at the UMHC Conference in Duluth.  Travel was a bit exciting,  but it was worth the long drive and led to discussion of Boreal Forest on the way home.

Three Scholars and two Birgens

Three Scholars and two Birgens

The view outside my hotel window Friday AM.

The view outside my window 24 hours later.

Part of a presentation by students from Mt. Mercy on their Awakening the Dreamer experience.

UMHC Conference Details

The Regional Conference is in Duluth, MN April 18-20.  Wartburg final exams end April 18, so what we do is leave after everyone's final exams are over.  The 8:30-10:30 final is for MWF 1:15 classes and the 12-2 final is for TH 9:35 classes.  Since we probably have someone with a MWF 1:15 class, we wouldn't leave for Duluth until 11 AM at the earliest, but that could be later if we have someone with a TH class.

There is not an official schedule up yet, but generally on Thursday there are some ice breakers, a nice dinner, and a big talk after that.  The conference hotel is the Sheraton Duluth Hotel in which we will house you.  There are generally talks all day Friday with something fun Friday night.  More talks Saturday morning followed by a business meeting and a gentle drive back to Waverly by Saturday evening.

We expect you to pay for any food that is not included with the conference registration.  The final deadline for registration is March 15, so please let Dr. Birgen know ASAP if you would like to be included.

Can someone explain ...

I am offering a trip after final exams are over to an amazing location (okay, in Minnesota), to an amazing conference where the only expense to the student would be food and have only had one taker out of 85 students.  Especially when going on this trip puts you first in line for an all but food expenses paid trip to New Orleans in November to the national conference. I know that returning to campus Saturday evening may mean the students on tour may not be able to come.  Why is no one interested?

Upper Midwest Honors Conference

Greetings!  The Honors Program of The College of St. Scholastica cordially invites the honors students, administrators, and faculty from your institution to participate in the 2013 Upper Midwest Regional Honors Conference in Duluth, Minnesota. The conference will be held from April 18-20. 

The theme for the conference this year is “Steering for Deep Waters.” The conference title is adapted from a poem by Walt Whitman, and was chosen to (1)  highlight our location on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior with its shipping industry and (2) express figuratively the intellectual and moral curiosity, courage, and creativity required to explore the world through honors with its attendant risks and satisfactions. 

The website for the conference is currently under construction; the address is www.css.edu/HonorsConf.  The website will allow you to register for the conference; submit abstracts for presentations and posters; view drafts of the program; and obtain information about hotel options, costs, and contacts. Make sure to mention the Upper Midwest Honors Council Conference for discounted rates at the hotels.  

Here are some dates and details that you might find useful now:

February 1, 2013:  Website ready to accept registrations (credit card or check) and abstracts.

March 1, 2013:  Abstracts and early registrations due at $60 per student, $70 per faculty member (same cost as last year).  Registrations after March 1 will be assessed a $10 late fee per student and faculty member.

April 3, 2013:  Registration closes.