Meet the UC College of Arts and Sciences honors scholars

By: Monica Huzinec

Five freshmen were selected to be a part of this year's University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences second honors scholars cohort.

Made possible by the Magda and Milton Margolis Endowment Fund for Arts and Sciences, the A&S Honors Scholars Program provides these exceptional undergraduate students with benefits ranging from full in-state tuition to international travel opportunities to one-on-one mentoring from esteemed faculty. Participating students also receive interview guidance and help in applying for nationally competitive awards and local, national and international learning opportunities.

The program emphasizes academics, with each student maintaining a double or triple major and excelling in their studies.

“Experiential learning is also important,” says Russel Durst, professor of English and director of the program.

“We’re setting students up with internships in their areas of interest,” says Durst says. “It provides an excellent undergraduate education for students to learn important subject matter that will help them make decisions about the rest of their lives—and help them to develop career skills.”

Philosophy and literary and cultural studies

Shaker Heights, Ohio native Emma Duhamel hopes to become a rabbi, and knows that UC will prepare her to meet that goal. Double majoring in philosophy and literary and cultural studies, Duhamel chose UC for the wealth of opportunities the university offers to students in the humanities. Impressed by the school’s recognition of research within the liberal arts, Duhamel says the Cincinnati Hillel community on campus has made her transition to college life immensely smoother. Duhamel knows that UC will offer her the opportunity to expand her understanding of the world at large before she begins to focus more on her dream of becoming a rabbi.

Philosophy, history and economics

Aidan Byrne, 18, chose UC because it provided many opportunities for him to pursue his independent goals and interests in a large university setting. From Toledo, Ohio, Byrne will be working on Associate Professor Thomas Moore’s research team, which explores international relations in an era of globalized economic activity. Byrne also is involved in the Philosophy Club, the Economic Society, and the History Club. He says he hopes that beyond graduation, he will find a career path in which he will constantly be learning, such as in academia.

Political science

From Shaker Heights, Ohio, 18-year-old Maya Gulani majors in Political Science. Gulani chose UC for its extensive array of study abroad programs and academic options. Involved in the UC College Democrats group, Maya wants to take this time to discover which areas of study she is most interested in and further use this to choose a career path that she can enjoy and excel in.

Political science and international affairs

Connor Herbert grew up in Northern Kentucky but after moving to Lincoln, Neb., a year and a half ago he wanted to attend UC in order to be in the heart of the city that he loves most. Now double majoring in political science and International Affairs, Herbert also hopes to take on a minor in computer science. Involved with the Youth in Government, Arts and Sciences Tribunal, and the Student Government Mentorship Program, Herbert’s ultimate goal is to attend law school and study patent law upon graduation.

French and mathematics

Eighteen-year-old Jacqueline Foley hails from Strongsville, Ohio. She loved the feel of the UC campus from the moment she stepped onto it and knew right away that it was the place for her. Foley plans to join both the astronomy and mountaineering clubs in addition to intramural tennis in the Spring semester. Foley aims to continue her education upon graduation and search for a career path that will allow her to apply her array of academic strengths.