PRESIDENT’S REPORT | October 2014
College begins to recruit for new Honors Program
Top: Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science, introduces the five-person faculty panel on Ferguson, Mo. Bottom left: Marvin Tobias, associate professor of psychology at SCC, discusses the concept of “implicit prejudice” in America before a packed auditorium. Bottom right: Following the panel presentations, the floor was opened for guests in the SSB auditorium to ask questions and voice thoughts and opinions.
Faculty panel offers insight into Ferguson shooting To educate and inform, five SCC faculty members took part in a standing-room only panel on Oct. 8 to discuss important issues surrounding the August shooting of Michael Brown that occurred in Ferguson, Mo. “Many are hungry to learn more about the issues surrounding the shooting and protests,” said Paul Roesler, SCC professor of political science. “Ferguson is only 23 miles from SCC, yet the issues are reflective of national problems.” Roesler moderated the panel and provided a statistical background in relation to crime, SCC police department and Ferguson demographics. Grace Moser, SCC assistant professor of history, detailed the history of Ferguson and how racial tension in Ferguson was created by
policies created in the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century of St. Louis. Vicky Herbel, SCC professor of sociology, explained the sociological concepts of Collective Behavior and an Acting Crowd and how the events of Ferguson can give us insight into how people react and respond collectively. Marvin Tobias, SCC associate professor of psychology, focused on the identity of African-Americans in low-income areas and the role that implicit prejudices have played in some of the unrest. Michael Kuelker, SCC professor of English, discussed Ferguson as a rallying point for a new civil rights movement, including the objectives of the movement and the role of alternative media in these efforts.
SCC has announced a new Honors Program this fall to provide high-achieving students enriching and challenging academic experiences and dynamic learning opportunities. Applications are now being accepted for the first class to be admitted in the Fall 2015 Semester. The new Honors Program will promote diverse, interdisciplinary learning and foster a community of life-long learners to motivate, support and serve each other, the campus and the community. SCC honors students will have access to early registration, mentorship and academic guidance from an Honors Council member, and will receive invitations to special events throughout the semester. “Participating in an Honors Program in the first two years of college will lay a solid academic foundation for a student’s college career,” said Heather Rodgers, SCC professor of English and Honors Program chair. “The program is a place for students to become independent thinkers.” High school students interested in applying to the SCC Honors Program are required to either earn an ACT score of 30 or above and submit two essays or writing samples written for high school classes, or earn an ACT score of 26-29, submit two essays or writing samples written for high school classes and two letters of recommendation from teachers. Current SCC students may also apply. To learn more or to apply to the Honors Program, visit stchas.edu/honors.