Take the 2009 Honors Case Study Challenge
Both chapters and members can enter the Honors
Case Study Challenge, which rewards winners with a deeper knowledge
of the Honors Study Topic, international recognition and $500 prizes.
The
rules are simple - and the rewards are terrific. Just ask the chapter at Skyline
College in California, five-time winner of the Case Study Challenge.
Participating
in the challenge leads to thought-provoking discussion and fellowship,
said Dr. Christine Case, chapter advisor.
"Scholarship is
often an individual pursuit. The Case Study Challenge is a wonderful way
to combine scholarship and fellowship," Dr. Case said. "We have fun debating
the relevance of articles and challenging each other while getting ideas
for college-wide Honors Study Topic activities. It also provides an opportunity
for students to learn how a team of professionals works together and writes
one report."
Dr. Erica Hastert, advisor at Arapahoe Community
College in Colorado, also enthusiastically endorses the Case Study Challenge.
Her chapter won for the first time in 2008.
"The Sigma Phi Chapter
found significant value in competing in the Case Study Challenge," said
Dr. Hastert. "Officers and members worked closely as a team to compile information
and create an award-winning entry. We were surprised to win, but very proud
and thrilled. This was our first International Award and it inspired us
to work on more scholarly team projects. We were able to use the cash prize
to send an extra member to the Honors Institute."
Remember that
the Case Study Challenge can be an Honors
in Action activity and can be used in your chapter's Scholarship
Hallmark Awards
entry.
And the Case Study is not just for chapters. Member Ashley
Odell won last year, when she was a student at Manchester Community College
in Connecticut.
"Participating in the Case Study Challenge
gave me a chance to explore the power of women in education, something that
had always interested me. By being able to revisit the topic all year, my
understanding and analysis improved greatly," said Odell.
"After
being recognized by Phi Theta Kappa and USA TODAY, I was able to present my
findings at an academic conference and earned a separate research grant
of $1,500! Now I'm studying higher education and preparing to write my honors
thesis on power and democracy in academia, something I probably would never
have considered doing without the Case Study Challenge," she said.
Now
a Critical Social Thought major at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts,
Odell is currently on leave from her studies after being selected for an
internship that also is related to her Case Study Challenge entry.
"The
Case Study got me interested in democracy in education and understanding
how disadvantaged groups can achieve power and success in academia. My
membership in Phi Theta Kappa and also being student trustee for my state's
community college system expanded that interest to include community
colleges. My research of the subject and all the background knowledge I
accumulated doing the Case Study impressed my professors, so now I am doing
an internship at my former community college to research their nationally-recognized
student success initiative and assist with strategic planning," Odell
said.
Interested? Visit the Honors
Case Study Challenge website for entry details and to read winning
entries from 2008.
