Before the Civil War, West Virginia was simply known as “western” Virginia to the English-speaking people who settled here in the early 18th century. However, to other nations and cultures it had been known by other names. The French knew West Virginia as “New France” and the Delaware American Indian tribe called West Virginia “Alligewiweng” in the 1700s.

On Tuesday, November 17, the Honors College of West Virginia University will host Doug Wood of Nitro, West Virginia as he performs the role of Ostenaco, a Cherokee military leader who battled against French soldiers and northern American Indian warriors within the borders of present-day West Virginia. Ostenaco will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of Honors Hall.

Wood will deliver a one-hour three-part presentation. He will open with a monologue and then answer questions in character. To conclude his presentation, Wood will break character and answer questions as a scholar. Wood has been researching 18th century history and performing living history for over twenty years. His presentations are to teach others about West Virginia’s rich history and to honor those who were here before us.

Ostenaco is only one of the many available character presentations offered through The West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program as a means of exploring history by interacting with noteworthy historical figures. These programs provide audiences with the opportunity to question those who have shaped our history.

History Alive! is a program designed to bring historical characters to life through the scholar/actors who have researched their characters. The actors have studied journals, letters, speeches, autobiographies, and other official historical documents to develop their presentations.

The History Alive! program is sponsored by The WV Humanities Council with additional financial assistance from the Office of the Secretary, West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts. The West Virginia Humanities Council is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing educational programs in the humanities for all West Virginians. For over thirty years, the Council has been providing educational programs in the humanities across the state.

For more information about The History Alive! program or The WV Humanities Council, call The West Virginia Humanities Council at 304.346.8500 or visit www.wvhumanities.org.

If you ordered a “Talk Nerdy to Me” T-shirt in the last round of orders, you can pick them up in the Honors Office beginning today. If you didn’t prepay, make sure to bring $15 cash or check.

If you ordered any other pattern shirt, sweatshirt, or sweatpants, they should be in by the end of this week and we will make an announcement as soon as they are here!

Join the International Student Organization in an international Dance Night, and learn many types of dances from across cultures!

When: Saturday, November 14th from 6-9 PM
Where: Blue and Gold Ballroom, Towers

International Night at the Movies, 7 pm, Wednesday Nov 11th, Gluck Theater
Movie: “Arranged”
Synopsis: Rachel is an Orthodox Jew, and Nasira is a Muslim of Syrian origin. They are both young teachers at a public school in Brooklyn. They also have something else in common – they are going through the process of getting “arranged marriages” through their respective religious and traditional customs. With both family pressure on the one hand, and the rejection of traditional values by the outside world on the other, Rachel and Nasira will have to rely on each other and their friendship to pull through this difficult time of their lives, striving to be strong women in charge of their own happiness, while keeping their deep religious and cultural convictions.

Following the movie there will be a brief discussion about some issues about the culture, history and religions.

This is a FREE event, and drinks, cookies, and snacks will be provided.

Honors students: Do you want to study a less-commonly-taught language? Want to study abroad? The U.S. Department of State might have a great opportunity for you! Read on to learn more about the Critical Language Scholarship program.

Any undergraduate who is performed faculty-mentored research in any university department and is interested in applying for publication may submit a paper via email to MURR@Mail.wvu.edu by Friday, January 15th, 2010. Download the following link for more information: CallForPapers

The West Virginia University Honors College
presents
“Springtime in Paris”

March 26 thru April 2, 2010

Hosted by:
Chris Garbutt, Assistant Resident Faculty Leader of the Honors College
Cookie Schultz, Faculty in the Honors College
Dean Bernie Schultz, Dean and Professor of Art History , College of Creative Arts

The West Virginia University Honors College is proud to make available this exciting visit to Paris during Spring Break, 2010. We invite you to join us for this unique and historical view of Paris and assure you that our visit will be both educational and enjoyable. Academic highlights will include a tour of the City’s most significant monuments and museums with an emphasis on the 19th and early 20th centuries when the culture of the City exerted such a profound influence on Western Civilization.

The complete itinerary will be available in the Honors Office by Monday, November 3, 2009.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Trip Cost: $3300.00
$1000.00 due by Monday, November 30, 2009. This is a non refundable fee unless the trip is canceled.

The application packet is on line from the Office of International Programs. Questions may be directed to Tony Goddard at Anthony.Goddard@mail.wvu.edu or 293-6955 ext. 6957. All application packets must be submitted to the Office of International Programs and not to the Honors Office.

Caperton, first F. Duke Perry Professor of Leadership Studies, to lecture Nov. 4

Former Governor Gaston Caperton has been named the first F. Duke Perry Professor of Leadership Studies. He will be on campus November 4 for a roundtable discussion on leadership. President James Clements will moderate the discussion.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow.

“Gaston Caperton is a world-class businessman, public servant and educational innovator,” said Lisa DeFrank-Cole, director of the Leadership Studies Program. “We are pleased that he has agreed to serve as the first F. Duke Perry Professor of Leadership Studies. He represents a portrait of what one can accomplish in life through determination and a commitment to the principals of leadership. Our students, and the community, will benefit greatly from his insight and experience.”

Honors students: Are you working in a research lab? If you’d like to advance your chances of pursuing a graduate degree in a lab setting matched with your current interests, please read more below about the Registry of Undergraduate Researchers.

Honors Hall Tutor Applications are now available! If you are interested in being a tutor in Honors Hall next year, please submit the completed, typewritten application and your unofficial transcript to the Honors Office by Friday, November 13.

There will be approximately 20 places available. Selection will be based on the answers you provide on this application. We will notify you of the results of your application as soon as possible.

HonorsHallTutorApplication