Augusta University to host 33rd annual Georgia Collegiate Honors Council conference

Augusta University will host more than 100 student presenters at the 33^rd annual Georgia Collegiate Honors Council Conference on Saturday, Feb. 27. The single-day event will be held in both the Jaguar Student Activities Center and University Hall.

A dessert reception featuring a welcome from President Brooks Keel and a keynote address by Art Department Chair Scott Thorp will be held Friday, Feb. 26, at the Morris Museum of Art.

The event marks an important milestone for the university. This will be the first time Augusta has hosted the GCHC conference in the event’s 33-year history.

Asma Daoudi, student vice president of the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council and senior Honors student at Augusta University, said hosting the GCHC conference is crucial to the university’s continued growth.

“As a growing research institute, holding a state honors conference will provide Augusta University with substantial opportunities to publicize … our leadership, research and undergraduate programs,” she said. “The conference will also provide students and faculty the opportunity to engage and network with students, faculty and administrators from around the region.”

Of the more than 100 students presenting, 26 are from Augusta’s Honors Program. Among those presenting is senior English major and Editor-In-Chief of the Bell Ringer Sarah Carter.

Her presentation focuses on the importance of proper grammar and concise writing in communications-based fields.

“My GCHC project presentation explores the relevance of both grammar and clear, concise writing methods for students who are pursuing careers in communications-based fields,” she said. “My hope is that my project presentation will prove helpful for all undergraduate communications students who may not fully understand or appreciate the relevance of modern grammar and language studies.”

Though topics range from the study of Roman mythology to proposing a cure for cancer, a common thread runs throughout each of the presentations being given by Augusta University students: passion.

“I firmly believe that it’s important for all students, regardless of their disciplines, to both understand and fully grasp basic grammatical concepts,” Carter said. “I believe that grammar and writing should be embraced and cherished by both students and teachers alike ….”

In addition to providing students with an outlet for research and creative passions, the GCHC conference also awards cash prizes for the best paper or poster presentations in a given concentration —-humanities or social or natural sciences. According to Daoudi, though, win or lose, presenting at a GCHC conference is its own reward.

“It’s an excellent resume and graduate school application enhancer,” she said. “Thankfully, this year, Augusta Honors students won’t need to travel far to get that kind of experience.”

For more information about the 33^rd annual Georgia Collegiate Honors Council conference, contact Honors Program Director Tim Sadenwasser at tsaden@augusta.edu or 706-729-2452.