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The Moose is Loose!: Gonzaga University Honors Program: Case 4

Case 4: A Global Education

Case 4: A Global Education

Honors students are encouraged to study abroad. The program believes that going abroad affords students with opportunities for active learning and engagement that are essential to the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis. Where ever an honors student chooses to study abroad, their financial aid follows them. This allows a high number of honors students to study abroad each year, in a variety of unique destinations.

Alex Dumke, BBA International Business, at the Great Wall of China, 2009

Alex Dumke, BBA International Business, at the Great Wall of China, 2009

Sarah Dupont, BS Honors Biology, BA Honors International Relations, in Botswana, 2010

Sarah Dupont, BS Honors Biology, BA Honors International Relations, in Botswana, 2010

Two Masks from Botswana

Two Masks from Botswana

Sarah Dupont, BS Honors Biology, BA Honors International Relations, studied abroad in Botswana and brought back these African masks. After graduating she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corp and went on to study at Emery Medical School.

Sarah Reed, BA Honors History, and Mollie Picha, BA Honors International Relations and Environmental Studies, in Chile, 2014

Sarah Reed, BA Honors History, and Mollie Picha, BA Honors International Relations and Environmental Studies, in Chile, 2014

Alice Hastings, class of 2015, in Ghana, 2014

Alice Hastings, class of 2015, in Ghana, 2014

“African” moose, brought back from Ghana by Alice Hastings, 2014

“African” moose, brought back from Ghana by Alice Hastings, 2014

Seth Morison, BS Honors Biology, and Josie Gary, BA Honors English, in Glasgow, 2010

Seth Morison, BS Honors Biology, and Josie Gary, BA Honors English, in Glasgow, 2010

“Scottish” moose, brought back from Glasgow by Seth Morison, BS Honors Biology, and Josie Gary, BA Honors English, 2010.

“Scottish” moose, brought back from Glasgow by Seth Morison, BS Honors Biology, and Josie Gary, BA Honors English, 2010.

Sophie Henager, BA International Relations, in Florence, 2013

Sophie Henager, BA International Relations, in Florence, 2013

Swedish moose, brought back from a summer trip by Scott Davis- BS Honors Mathematics, BA Honors English, class of 2014.

Swedish moose, brought back from a summer trip by Scott Davis- BS Honors Mathematics, BA Honors English, class of 2014.

The moose was adopted as the unofficial Honors Program mascot while Fr. Kuder was the Director of the Program. The Honors Program boasts a large collection of “moose” from across the globe, brought back by students who have traveled abroad.

Washington Moose and Utah Moose

Washington Moose and Utah Moose

Students in the Honors Program do not only travel far afield, they also hail from across the country. Students bring back plush moose from far and wide. The program boasts a large collection of “moose” including multiple Washington, Alaska, and Idaho moose, an Arizona moose (which is actually a scorpion, but who’s judging?), and a New Hampshire moose. During freshman, sophomore, and junior colloquium class discussions, students are only allowed to talk if they are holding the plush moose chosen for that evening’s class. The students pass the moose around as a speaking totem to further discussion in an orderly manner.