Newman Honors Program student Gabrielle Altenor has been awarded the Freddye T. Davy scholarship by the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC).
Altenor is the first Newman University student to receive an NCHC scholarship. The scholarship will cover the cost of attendance for this year’s NCHC annual conference, held Nov. 6-10 in New Orleans.
She was one of only four students to receive the scholarship.
“I was surprised and delighted to hear that I had won the scholarship,” said Altenor. “My first thought was to call my parents and let them know; they were just as ecstatic as me.”
The theme for this year’s conference is Disrupting Education: Creativity and Innovation in Honors. It will address how creativity can be incorporated into educational practice as a skill necessary for leadership competence.
Kelly McFall, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the division of humanities at Newman, supports this idea as well.
Altenor explained the push toward increased innovation and creativity for the honors program began with McFall.
“Already, he is finding and creating new ways for students to learn and think in the classroom. He is also the reason why I am able to be a part of this drive toward change,” explained Altenor.
Altenor is hoping the conference workshops and sessions will provide some good experiences for her.
“The conference is essentially an opportunity for me to learn about ways to innovate … and gain leadership skills in an effort for me to bring back the knowledge and methods to Newman’s Honors Program,” she said. “I am especially hoping to gain ideas on how to expand diversity, recognize and celebrate personal differences, experiences and gifts, and re-imagine teaching techniques. I am also looking forward to meeting other honors students and inquiring about their respective programs.”
In addition to the conference events, Altenor will have the chance to explore the environment and culture of New Orleans.
“I am looking forward to experiencing and learning more about the culture of the city. It is a place rich in history and diversity, and I can’t wait to gain from all it has to offer.”
