Each year, the University Honors Program selects one student from each class who exemplifies high honors engagement for special recognition. These students combine academic excellence with outstanding involvement in a range of campus and service activities and manifest a strong personal commitment to the University Honors Program.
Join us in congratulating this year’s Engagement Award recipients!
Freshman: Saba Asghar
Saba is a Computer Science and Mathematics double major and her favorite experience this year was participating in the Connect+ experience, which focuses on events within Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Civic Engagement. Saba shared, “being involved in Honors Engaged has meant a lot to me because it gave me the opportunity to grow not just academically, but personally as well. I’ve really enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone and participating in events that focus on community, diversity, and meaningful engagement. What I enjoyed the most was being able to reflect on those experiences, and it helped me become more open minded, aware, and intentional in how I interact with others and contribute to my community. ”
Sophomore: Mei Lin McDermott
Mei Lin is a Music Education major and her favorite experience so far was participating in an Internship with the School of Music Admissions Office. Mei Lin shared, “being in the Honors Program has been such a rewarding experience on campus. It’s helped me meet so many different people and to build connections I hope to carry with me beyond graduation. I have enjoyed getting to continuing to be involved in different musical events within my community both here and on campus, as well as exploring different ways to be involved on campus. ”
Junior: Alex Aykroyd
Alex is a Health Sciences major and his favorite experience so far was the Barsema Leadership Boot Camp. Alex shared, “being a part of the Honors Program has been one of my favorite experiences here at Northern Illinois University. I am grateful for the connections I’ve made with like-minded individuals as I continue my professional development towards medical school. I’ve enjoyed the relationships that I have built as both an Honors Student and as an Honors Fellow the most. I am excited for my senior year, and for the experiences and lessons I will learn as the Lead Honors Fellow next year.”
Senior: Uday Kiran Chigurupati
Uday is a Biological Sciences major and his favorite experience was Appreciation of the Arts. Uday shared, “Honors Engaged gave me a community of genuinely curious, driven individuals who could go from a deep conversation about life and purpose to laughing about nothing in the same breath. The talks expanded how I see the world, but the peer companionship is what made it feel like home. As a first-generation student I was figuring out where I belonged on this campus, and the Honors community has filled this space with like-minded people who took ideas seriously. It meant more than I can fully put into words.”
