Ella McKinney is graduating with a degree in Communicative Disorders and Full University Honors.
I commend you for your hard work within your coursework and the Honors Program. I’d like to reflect on why the word honor is the perfect fit for an occasion like graduating with honors:
You made it, and you did it well. You took full advantage of your time and education at NIU. You excelled in your courses, research, and extra-curricular activities. You were the example of what it means to be a Huskie Honors student: that co
mes with great honor.
Like many of us, I was drawn to NIU for its phenomenal programs, proximity to home, and amazing scholarships. As a Communicative Disorders major, I know wherever I ended up for undergrad should also have a stellar graduate program in speech-language pathology. Turns out, NIU had both phenomenal program, as well as an Honors Program to offer supplemental instruction and experiences to get the most out of my education here.
At first, I was hesitant to apply because of burnout. But when I talked to several NIU students and alums, they all had the same answer: apply for the Honors Program, it is so worth it. On the last night applications were open, I applied for Honors Program, and was accepted! Like many of these students, I decided to throw myself right into all the campus activities that I could do to build a community here and establish myself as a student.
Honors students work hard to succeed in their courses, Honors classes, seminars, experiences, and research capstone all four years to graduate with Full University Honors, and they are rewarded with incredible opportunities to continue their education at NIU. I was thrilled to find out about the freshman admit program, which allows Honors students like me who declared their major as Communicative Disorders freshman year to secure a seat in the highly competitive Speech-Language Pathology graduate school cohort. I know this is a similar story to many. We have all shown incredible work ethic and commitment to grow as a student while bettering our school. NIU values what their students contribute to their classes, campus, and community. Due to NIU’s nature of supporting their students and encouraging them to attain the best for their academic careers, I would highly recommend anyone attending NIU to join the Honors Program because the benefits are too numerous to count.
That being said, students and professors, your hard work and commitment to education is insipiring and greatly appreciated. Family and friends, your support for these Honors graduates is critical to the success of these students. It has been an honor to study alongside you. I hope you take the time to soak in the final weeks of being an NIU Honors student, recognizing that your work and dedication are finally receiving the appreciation they have earned. I am excited to see what the future holds for us all. Because it truly has been an honor.
