The Eagles Nest

Honors Quarterly Newsletter

Florida Gulf Coast University

Volume 2 Issue 4
Photo courtesy of Florida Gulf Coast University Library

Meet the Staff!

Dr. Nicola Foote

Allison Bacigalupi

Interim Director of the Honors Program

Director of Undergraduate Studies Advising

Honors students should meet with me if they need help

with finding scholarships or internships, if they have
questions about graduate school or study abroad, or
if they need advice on how to maximize their role in
the honors community or advance their academic or
professional goals.
Photo courtesy of
Nicola Foote

My favorite vacation spot is Tobago in the Caribbean. But

I would really love to visit Ghana, so Im jealous of all the
honors students whove been there!

My closest friend would describe me as fun, loyal,

motivated, and supportive.
My favorite hobby is going to sporting events.

Photo courtesy of
Allison Bacigalupi

Ashleigh Halter

Dr. Melodie Eichbauer

Academic Advisor for Special Populations

Interim Assistant Director of the Honors Program

Photo courtesy of
Melodie Eichbauer

Honors students should meet with me if it is something

they would see Dr. Foote about or probation questions.

Honors students should meet with me if they have any

questions regarding their Honors requirements.

My closest friend would describe me as funny, sarcastic,

and twitchy.

My favorite hobbies are too many to count! Anything

involving the arts in any form would probably be a good
start.

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be

Rome.

Photo courtesy of
Ashleigh Halter

Diane Bova

Academic Advisor for Special Populations

Honors students should meet with me about Honors in

general, events, how to get involved in Honors, or just
to talk!

Honors students should meet with me if they have any

questions about completing their Honors course and
experience requirements or if they want someone to
hash out their life plan with!

My closest friend would describe me as a loyal friend,

good listener, compassionate and honest.
My favorite hobby is walking on the beach and looking
for shells.

Photo courtesy of
Rebecca Kroeger

Academic Advisor for Special Populations

Honors students should meet with me if they have any
questions about their honors requirements, how to get
more connected on campus, etc.

As a Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies, I oversee

various, diverse mentor programs here at FGCU. In
addition, I founded the Eagle Ambassador Program. I cofounded and co-organize the annual FGCU St. Baldricks
Day event, and have taught Honors Composition,
Lessons in Leadership, and Happiness and Literature.
My favorite hobby is Irish step dance. I instruct 30
students between the ages of 6 and 16, twice weekly.

My closest friend would describe me as loyal,

dependable, a problem solver, a little weird and
generally happy.

Jessica Rebstock

Catherine Gorman

Founder and Director of the Honors Mentor Program

Photo courtesy of
Catherine Gorman

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be

Greece.

Becky Kroeger

Office Manager of the Honors Program

Photo courtesy of
Diane Bova

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be

Italy.

My closest friend would describe me as honest, caring,

to the point and always willing to help!
Photo courtesy of
Jessica Rebstock

If I could vacation anywhere in the world, it would be

Greece.

Florida Gulf Coast University

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Student Spotlight
Daniella Escobar

Honors Graduates
Fall 2014

he is the girl with big curly brown hair

that you will always find smiling, however,
behind that smile lies many stories and
successes. Sociology senior Daniella Escobar is
a first generation college student with a minor
in Gender studies and special interest in truly
understanding the world around her.
I have always been interested in learning
why people do what they do, specifically in
group settings. I also love people watching, so
the sociological lens has easily become my way
of viewing the world through. I am able to look
at interactions differently, and connect them to
theories that describe the world, Esobar said.
Her passion behind her major has taught
Photo by Emma Green
Esobar many things about interaction and social
construction, and through two honors contracts and an
honors study abroad trip she has been able to expand her studies.
This semester I will be doing two honors contracts, one on queer theory and
another on the sociology of religion, Escobar said. Over the summer I spent
two and a half weeks in Ghana with nursing and social work majors. During
my time there I observed the vast differences among the individuals there
compared to America.
Escobar went with the nursing majors to the clinic areas and observed and
interviewed individuals as the nurses collected things such as blood work.
It was less of a culture shock than I expected, Escobar said. At a young age
I moved from Colombia to America so I have been exposed to the communal
aspect of Ghana from my Hispanic culture.
However there were many things that sparked Daniellas interest during her
trip.
It was challenging being looked at as someone who can help this povertystricken area when in reality we are just as helpless, Escobar explained. I also
learned that there are no racial issues in the area of Ghana I visited. People
greet you as a white or black person by saying Hey white person, hey black
person because there is no history behind it like in America.
The lessons Escobar learned in Ghana have inspired her to continue to get
involved and share her knowledge and advocate for causes important to her.
This semester I will be working on a nation-wide campaign called Divest
which will include an entire week dedicated to campaigning, statistics and
interactive events, Escobar said. It will focus on divesting away from fossil fuels
and reinvesting into sustainable and renewable resources... That is our mission,
right?
The next time you see the curly brown hair girl smiling down the breezeway
you will know a little bit more of her story: Daniella Escobar- a woman full
of many passions and visions who aspires to make the world a better place
through her observations and knowledge in the field of Sociology.

Laura Ariza Cabra

Daniel Barbour
Jacob Barrish
Dayanira Lopez
Sonya Padfield
Mikaela Roach
Jessica Rodriguez
Stephen Roscher
Briana Stiehl
Kristen Tracy
Leigh White

Photo courtesy of FGCU

Honors senior Mikaela Roach shaking hands with

FGCU President William Bradshaw.

-Emma Green
Photo courtesy of Daniella Escobar

Honors student Daniella Escobar during her Honors

Study Abroad trip to Ghana.

Florida Gulf Coast University

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Event Spotlight
Unmasking Africa

Important Dates
February through April

his past month, there has been

a multitude of Honors events,
covering a wide range of subjects
including the Haiti Earthquake
memorial and the mandatory first
semester meetings. One of the most
visited events over the month was the
opening day of the Unmasking Africa
exhibit hosted by Courtney Sanders
and members of the Anthropology
department on January 12. The
purpose behind the exhibit was to
convey the meaningboth social and
Photo by Danielle Christy
culturalof a variety of masks found in different West
African countries. All of the masks featured in the exhibit were found to be related
in some way to the healing practices performed by West Africas indigenous people
including ceremonies of divination, healing, initiation, and funerals.
In addition to providing information on different cultures and practices in Africa,
the exhibit also attempted to find connections between the ritual masks and
the recent outbreaks of Ebola. The exhibit does this by emphasizing the gap and
differences in Western vs. Indigenous treatment of diseases. According to the
information found in the exhibit, some of the different healers would often wear
the masks to isolate themselves and protect others from different diseases. The
masks were also used by healers to transcend the borders between the mortal and
spirit worlds in order to bring therapeutic recourse to the afflicted.
Even though there are no more Honors Events connected to this exhibit, students
can still go explore the fantastical world of West African healing masks up until the
exhibits closing on March 20th.
-Olivia Sanders

Honors Opportunities
Mentors, Ambassadors and Senators

f you have wanted to get more involved with the Honors Program now is the
perfect time. There are positions available in three of our most prestigious areas
of involvement. The Honors Program is looking for Senators, Honors Mentors, and
Eagle Ambassadors. To get a better understanding of the positions and payoffs we
asked a current member from each program to expand upon their experiences.
Senate Member, Lori Boegershausen, feels that, you should join senate because it
is a great leadership opportunity, as well as a wonderful system to foster ideas. The
biggest benefit is networking in a cross-discipline sphere. As an Honors Mentor,
Michael Tolvo says that, being an Honors Mentor is an amazing opportunity to
welcome incoming freshman into our fantastic institution and the Honors Program
here at FGCU. Responsibilities as a mentor can range from being a valuable resource
to those students looking for exciting opportunities to being a friend they can always
fall back on in any situation. It has been an extremely rewarding opportunity that
has given me friendships and experiences that I will hold onto for the duration of my
time in college and beyond. Eagle Ambassador, Emmalyn Green, shares about her
experience, It has been a great opportunity to learn about the university and make
connections with people who make changes within the university. Visit the Honors
Blog for more information regarding these positions (www.blogs.fgcu/honors).
-Danielle Christy

For the most up to date list please visit the Canvas

Calendar

Spring 2015 PINKOUT Games

*Only one honors event credit can be earned
-See dates on the Honors Blog (www.blogs.fgcu.
edu/honors)
Divest Film Festival
February 13th, 2015
5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Marieb Hall 200
Presidents Lecture Series
Tuesday, February 17th and Tuesday,
Februrary 24th
4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sugden Welcome Center
*Registration required* email treynold@fgcu.
edu
Social Justice Film Festival
Tuesday, February 17th
2:00 p.m.
Cohen Center Ballroom
Desegregation of Southwest Florida
Schools
Wednesday, February 25th
5:00 p.m.
Cohen Center Ballroom
Broomball
Friday, March 13th
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Germain Arena
Human Rights Film Festival
Tuesday, March 31st
Start time to be announced
Cohen Center Ballroom
Honors Award Ceremony
Tuesday, April 14th
1:00 p.m.
Cohen Center Ballroom

Photo courtesy of FGCU Honors Program

Florida Gulf Coast University

January 2015 Honors Program Newsletter

Artist Spotlight
Julia Reed-Betts

rom the moment her mom brought her

into a dance studio, the large wooden
floor, mirrors that covered the entirety
of the walls, and the dancers adorned in
leotards and tights mesmerized Julia ReedBetts. At just four years old, Betts began what
would be a lifelong passion that would afford
her amazing opportunities.
When I was seven, I auditioned for and
was allowed to perform with the Miami City
Ballet, which let me dance with actual ballet
company members at a really young age.
One rehearsal, my mom kept waving to me
from the crowd, and I waved back, but was
yelled at by my director. It taught me about
staying in character during performances,
even if that was a really embarrassing
moment for me, Betts explains.
She was also able to compete in the
Universal Ballet Competition in Miami and
was awarded the silver medal in her age
group.
Throughout her middle school and high
school years, Betts has moved up in tudes
De Ballet & Company, the studio where she
Photo courtesy of Julia Reed-Betts
dances and teaches. Betts practiced ballet in Junior Company for a few years, which consisted of mostly community-based
rehearsals and events in the winter and spring. After taking and passing an Advanced 1 test, based around her knowledge
and concept of dance, she moved into Senior Company. Betts then passed the Royal Academy of Dance exam, and was able
to teach classes to younger dancers. Betts has worked with ages three to nine, both boys and girls alike, and has taught classes
such as ballet, tap, and jazz. She is currently working on her Advanced 2 test, set for this march. Once she passes, she will be
able to start applying to dance for professional ballet companies.
Betts has been able to play major lead roles in productions put on by tudes, I was part of the mazurka [a type of dance
used in a performance] in the recital Les Sylphides in 2013, and I also played Swanhilde in Copplia in 2014. Swanhilde was a
really fun, but difficult role.
Between juggling school work, being an honors student, and in the ACE Program, Betts finds that dance is not only her escape from the pressures of life, but it can sometimes be just as stressful. Its very demanding, and if Im having a bad pirouette
day, Ill get frustrated. Its all about yourself and that you are working towards being perfect, so its pretty stressful sometimes.
Its also my escape, it can be very calming and relaxing because you dont think about everything else going on, you really have
to focus on just dancing.
-Allie Taylor

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