Fall 2015 Edition
The Pinnacle
Iona College Honors Program Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome back to everyone in the ICHP community. I would first
like to thank all of you for all your patience and help during my
first year as Director. All our endeavors in the last year were
team efforts, and their success was due to the talents and hard
work of all of you. And our accomplishments thus far are not
inconsiderable. Since I sent my welcome this time last year,
many elements have been added to our program: this
fine newsletter, newly titled The Pinnacle, in honor of Iona’s first
newspaper; our journal of student essays, Bullitus; the Brother
Robert Durning Honors Writing Award, first given this past
spring and scheduled now for each spring henceforth; and our
social media presence, which I again encourage you all to join on
Twitter and Facebook. All these serve to connect our members
and help to celebrate their achievements in academics, service,
and athletics. And having looked back, I then turn to anticipate
all that we’ll accomplish together in the coming year: the books
and ideas discussed; the MOPs put forth with such poise as I
have not seen anywhere else I’ve taught; the papers and posters
presented at academic conferences; and the degrees,
scholarships, fellowships, awards, and job offers earned and
richly deserved. I am so proud of the past year, and I am so
thrilled and humbled for this
coming year.
Dr. Kim Paffenroth
Director of the Honors Program
Iona College
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE
The Pinnacle History .............. 2
Alumni/ae Endeavors ............. 3
Campus Ministries .................. 5
Ephebe’s Journey .................... 6
ICHP Abroad ........................... .7
Upcoming Events .................... 9
FOLLOW US ON
SOCIAL MEDIA!
 Facebook:
Iona College
Honors Program
 Twitter:
@ICHonorsProgram
WHAT’S IN A NAME:
THE STORY BEHIND THE PINNACLE
The name The Pinnacle has its roots in Iona College’s newspaper.
Although the paper is presently known as The Ionian, publications
from the early 1940’s bear the former name.
Rick Palladino, Director of Libraries at Iona College, notes that there is
no record of the first issue of The Pinnacle. Despite this, he believes
that “one might surmise why the students chose the name ‘Pinnacle’…
a pinnacle could be defined as the point of greatest success or
achievement, the best or most important part of something. An apt
notion, don’t you think?”
The definition of “pinnacle” is alluded to in several forms of writing,
including a letter to the student body from then-President Br. W.B.
Cornelia.
“Set before yourself a high ideal. The realization of this ideal will call
for self-sacrifice, but it will bring, even in this life, a greater
satisfaction than self-indulgence.” - Br. W.B. Cornelia
In his address to the students, Br. Cornelia stresses the idea that all that affects one’s
“eternal destiny” depends on the actions and efforts of the self. He explains that “The only true
success in life consists in the attainment of the great end of our existence and this end is attained by
the proper exercise of our free-will. Set before yourself a high ideal. The realization of this ideal will
call for self-sacrifice but it will bring, even in this life, a greater satisfaction than self-indulgence.”
In a later address, Br. Cornelia asserts that the newspaper, renamed The Ionian, would “maintain
the high standards of Iona College.”
Br. Cornelia’s words not only echo the meaning of a pinnacle, but also can be applied to the college
career of the Honors student. The Honors curriculum can be challenging, especially when combined
with a strenuous degree, extracurricular activities, and other forces of life. The Honors Program sets
high standards in both academics and ethics.
With all of this in mind, it seemed fitting to christen the Honors Newsletter The Pinnacle, to
encapsulate the success, achievement, and ideals that come with the Iona College Honors Program.
Online copies of the first newspaper issues from the 1940’s until present day are available on the
Iona website for viewing.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - ALUMNI/AE CORNER
Name: Ch ar lotte Fer ence
My name in this village: No one know s m e as Char lotte,
they call me Lutendo. It means “Faith” in Tshivenda.
Graduated from Iona: May 2015
Q: What have your endeavors been since graduating college?
A: I graduated Iona in May 2015, and moved to South Africa in July. I am
currently serving two years as an Education Volunteer with the United
States Peace Corps. Currently I am teaching computer and library skills to
grades 4-7, remedial reading with grades 4-7, and English to grades 2 and 3.
In January I will be working full time teaching English to grades 4-7, while
continuing to develop library skills with the learners.
Q: What inspired you to join the Peace Corps?
A: Although I have always wanted to join the Peace Corps, I started the
rigorous application process after concluding my junior year at Oxford. I
was facing my senior year at Iona and wanted to do something that could
put what I had been studying into action. I was an English and Philosophy
major, with a minor in Religious Studies, and everything I had studied could
only matter if I did something with it. I wanted to minimize the amount of
luck that it takes to be successful in this world- something as simple as
where you are born determines so much more of one’s future than their academic or intellectual ability.
Q: What was your favorite class at Iona?
A: For a similar reason, my favorite class at Iona was Political Philosophy with Dr. Jordan. I took a lot of classes
with the dual major and added minor, but this was one of the few classes where I saw an immediate real world
application. Much of the class was spent discussing fairness, and how to maintain a political system that allows
for both freedoms and safety. It was one of those classes where people participated whether they meant to or
not- there wasn’t a way to have our conversations without getting involved in the enormity that is political
philosophy.
Q: What influenced your choice in major?
A: As an English and philosophy major, I got a lot of questions on what I would do with that degree. I don’t
think anything specific influenced my choice in majors, but they were genuinely the topics I most enjoyed
reading and studying. Despite falling into the majors quite accidentally, I gradually realized that my long-term
goals aligned themselves closely with English literature and philosophy. When I return to the States in 2017, I
will be attending the dual program with Sarah Lawrence College for their Masters in Health Advocacy, and New
York University for their Masters in Social Work. It
would be impossible for me to work as a social worker
specializing in end-of-term care if I had not made an
attempt to understand more of humanity. Whether or
not I actually do understand more is debatable, but
studying the humanities is the only thing that I could
think of to make my time at university meaningful for
where I was in life.
Upper left: Charlotte and her host sisters
practice spelling her name.
Lower right: Charlotte poses with the class that
she taught during training.
Q: What has it been like adjusting to your life after college?
A: From July until September 17 I was a Peace Corps Trainee, which meant that I went to language class daily,
and multiple seminars and panels on cultural life in South Africa. I learned a language spoken fluently by less
than 1.5 million people, and figured out the best way to bathe in a bucket using only an inch of water. After this
training, I swore in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer and moved to an extremely rural village in northern
South Africa. I love my village, but the day-to-day life is extremely different from Iona’s bubble. I ride a taxi with
15 other people for an hour and forty five minutes to get to my nearest grocery store, I walk two hours to get my
mail in the 100 degree heat, I push 75 liters of water in a wheelbarrow 2 kilometers to store water at my houseand there is nothing resembling a coffee shop anywhere for four hours. Despite this, I have Aristotle, Hume,
Kierkegaard, Dawkins, Fitzgerald, Keats, Chaucer, Elliot, and Sartre stacked on my bookshelf in my mud hut. It’s
a beautiful life here, but as different as it could be from New Rochelle.
Q: What was your favorite humanities book?
A: As much as I want to have a wildly creative book from the humanities courses, my favorite by far was
Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics. It was my first MOP freshman year, and the first time I did any assignment far
in advance of its due date. Also possibly the last time I did anything that far in advance of when it was due. I
reread it
frequently during my time at Iona, Oxford, and so far have made it through the first half since
moving to my
village. There is something reassuring about the fact that although we will probably not get it
exactly right, making the effort will get us somewhat close to virtuous.
Q: If you had to offer advice to current Honors students what would it be?
A: Try to eventually do more than skim the books you’re supposed to read for Humanities. You probably won’t
read every word in every text, but at some point when you have time, go back to the ones you skimmed most
briefly and read them again. Don’t lose perspective on what Iona’s Honors Program is trying to do. Their goal is
not to overload you with work so that you hate college, and it’s not to push you through until you graduate and
forget every book you were assigned in Humanities. The Honors faculty, and the current director especially, want
you to push yourself in ways you did not know existed. Clichés aside, they want you to develop your sense of
understanding of the world around you. You’re not reading ancient philosophy so you can put the book on your
bookshelf and look smart in twenty years- you’re studying the humanities because they matter in every field you
will go into.
Above left:
Charlotte and her
friends in
traditional South
African attire.
Lower left:
Charlotte’s home,
a mud rondoval
with a thatched
roof.
Pictured above: Charlotte with her host grandmother.
ICHP AND CAMPUS MINISTRIES:
HOMELESS AWARENESS NIGHT
October 8, 2015- Mollie Traub, a junior in the honors program, held a Homeless Awareness Night on
the steps of Spellman. Mollie is one of the 14 student campus ministers this year at Iona and held this
event as a part of the Office of Mission and Ministry’s Make a Difference Week advocacy endeavors.
Make a Difference Week is an annual week of events held by the Office of Mission and Ministry to
provide a forum for discussion and service in the spirit of Edmund Rice, specifically the pillar of social
justice. Mollie’s event encompassed the themes of solidarity and educational advocacy. Students who
participated in the event slept on the
Spellman steps for the night as a show
of solidarity with homeless populations
in our world today. It was a mild night
as far as NY nights go, but it was still
quite chilly. Participants also partook in
guided discussions about different
aspects of homelessness. Jacqui Denver,
another honors junior, presented with
the biology club about the importance of
identifying nutritional needs in
providing food in shelters. Another
student presented about homeless
veterans which focused on their use of
drugs and alcohol to shield themselves
from the mental trauma of war. He
showed a video of a group that assists
homeless veterans to overcome their addictions. The discussion that followed pointed out the issue of
lack of governmental support for our returning servicemen and women which then necessitates this
patchwork of services for struggling veterans. Another small group of students talked about the issues
of gentrification and the misuse of eminent domain, particularly in historically poorer, black
neighborhoods and the disruption these practices cause within communities. This discussion brought
the issue of eminent domain home to us in New Rochelle as students learned about its application to
build the traffic circle over at the Memorial Highway in downtown New Rochelle, which replaced an
elementary school among other things. There were many sobering moments throughout the evening as
students learned to think about homelessness in a new way.
Though the event lasted only one night, the impact on the students who attended will continue.
One night of discussion is just the beginning of the conversation about how to end homelessness. Now
that the participants have gone home, warmed up, and absorbed their experience, they can go and
share that experience with others. This ripple effect is the essence of the oft quoted Margaret Mead,
“never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has.” The Make a Difference Week events can only reach so many people, but
the challenge to all those who joined in these discussions and service projects is to share their new
knowledge with others and to bring their new awareness to all of their future actions. Take a moment
to do some research into an issue that you’re not too familiar with from this article- gentrification,
homeless veterans, eminent domain, nutrition at shelters- and reflect on what you find. Ask yourself,
what can I do, to continue the conversation, and to take action to end homelessness? And go do it.
An event that also took place during Home-less
Awareness night was P.A.S.S.-People Advocating for
Sanitary Support. Traub, a member of Gamma Lambda Rho
sorority, participated in the event, along with her sorority
sisters, Phi Sigma Sigma, Delta Theta Beta, and Social Club.
They made over 150 kits and collected over 3000 pads.
Above: Students held cardboard signs to raise
awareness about homelessness.
Far right: Traub and other participate in P.A.S.S.
5
EPHEBE’S JOURNEY
The 2015 Ephebe's Journey took place July 31August 1 at Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in
Washington, D.C. The center resides on six acres of
beautiful green grounds with white buildings in the
heart of the city. This year's leadership workshop
had 10 attendees including students and graduates
of Harvard University, University of Chicago,
and Purdue University. The focus was on the
emotional challenges of being a leader by studying
and discussing two very different leaders:
Agammemon in Iphigenia at Aulis and Lt. Tyler in
the film U-571.
Natalie Bowman, who will be graduating in
Spring 2016 from Iona's Honors Program, said of
her time at the center, "The most rewarding part,
Above: Bowman (far right) and friends at
in addition to the great discussions in and out of
Ephebe’s Journey.
the conference rooms, are the friends I've made. I
greatly look forward to keeping in touch and
supporting each other in our respective leadership roles."
The Center for Hellenic Studies offers several grant and research opportunities for students as
well as an open-access library and publications.
“...being in Honors helps us learn at a deeper level and creates
an energy to excel in our areas of interest…”
SPORTS STUDENT PROFILE
Devika Joshi is a sophomore on the Women’s Water Polo team. She enjoys being a part of
the separate communities of the Honors Program and Iona Athletics, and says that the
challenge of being a part of both drives her determination to succeed. “I
think being in Honors helps us learn at a deeper level and creates an energy
to excel in our areas of interest, which is also true for athletics,” Devika said.
“The competitiveness of athletics mixed with the drive for learning that is
fostered in our Honors Program is definitely a recipe for future successes.”
Devika, a biology and psychology double major, had the opportunity to do
research under the advisement of Dr. Jacobson last year. “My proudest
moment at Iona was definitely when I was accepted in the NCUR research
conference in the spring of last year,” Devika said. “Dr. Jacobson strongly
encouraged me to submit our project to the conference. Making it into the
NCUR (National Conference for Undergraduate Research) was an amazing
experience, especially for promoting my desire to do more research.” In the
water last season, Devika scored 5 goals for the Gaels and had two assists. In
her free time, Devika loves to be a part of school and community events. She strives to be
active and involved, and loves the relationships she makes with people while doing such
events. Devika also enjoys listening to music and going to concerts.
ICHP ABROAD: POLAND
Grace Watters is a sophomore in the Honors program. She is a Science major. I sat down with Grace to
ask her questions about her recent endeavors while studying abroad in Poland.
Q: When and where did you study abroad?
A: I studied abroad in Osciewim, Poland, from March 13 until the 25, 2015.
Q: What class(es) did you take while studying abroad?
A: I took a course called Memory and Reconciliation: The Churches and the Holocaust.
Q: What made you choose this trip?
A: I’ve already read about the Auschwitz camps and World War II history in many of my other classes. I
spoke with my RA and Honors mentor, who had both previously gone on this trip, and they convinced
me that it was a worthwhile experience that would change my life.
Q: What were your feelings before the trip?
A: I was nervous about what I was going to experience in the camps and what I was going to view,
because I knew it was going to be an emotional experience, especially being surrounded by people in the
course that I did not know.
Q: What about after the trip?
A: It was very different returning to this life style after seeing what people had to experience in that
time. People would ask me how the trip was, and I wasn’t sure what to say because it was very shocking
and gave me insight. My perception of my life and how privileged I am changed.
Q: What was the most memorable part of your trip?
A: In Auschwitz 1, we went through the gas chamber and saw where the people were exterminated. It
was a very surreal and moving feeling to be in the same place knowing what occurred there and being
there in person.
Q: Would you recommend this trip, or studying abroad in general to other Honors
students?
A: Yes because it was very moving and completely changed my mindset. It showed me why we as
human beings need to work to prevent such an atrocity from recurring and to benefit our world. Being
able to study in Poland while reading books that took place there was amazing because I gained a better
understanding of what occurred.
Interested in studying abroad? For more
Information about study abroad opportunities,
visit Iona’s website or click the link:
http://www.iona.edu/academics/programscourses/study-abroad.aspx
Right: Watters (first row in pink) with her class.
HAPPY 750TH BIRTHDAY DANTE!
October 21, 2015– The Honors Program co-sponsored an event with the Departments of Modern
Languages and Religious Studies to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri.
The event was hosted in Romita Auditorium in Ryan Library. Dr. Teodolinda Barolini, Lorenzo Da
Ponte Professor of Italian at Columbia University, guided the audience through a brief overview of the
circles of Hell in Dante’s Inferno, as well as discussing ideas from Purgatorio and Paradiso.
After this discussion, three students presented papers they had written about Dante in their
humanities courses. The first speaker, Ceire Kealty (Class of 2018) presented on the Inferno, arguing that
the damned in Hell are still reminded of their object of love (or sin) and that they emulate their sin for
eternity.
The second speaker, Ryan McArthur (Class of 2018) presented on Paradiso and found similarities
between this text and Plato’s Republic, specifically in areas of virtue, knowledge, and the perception of
philosophers.
The third speaker, Madeleine Bennett (Class of 2018) presented on the writings of Dante and St.
Augustine. She focused on the parental relationship between characters and asserted that parental love is
the most powerful form of love, partially because it emulates God, the first parent of mankind.
After the presentations, there was an open discussion between the speakers and Dr. Barolini, as
well as a brief Q&A session. Overall, the evening was pleasant!
Below: From left to right, Dr. Kim
Paffenroth, Director of the Honors
Program; Madeleine Bennett; Ceire
Kealty; and Dr. Teodolinda Barolini.
Above: Dante is pictured holding the
Divine Comedy next to the entrance of
Hell, the terraces of the Mount of
Purgatory, with the spheres of Heaven
above. Painted by Michelangelo; Source:
Wikipedia
UPCOMING HONORS EVENTS
Please make an effort to attend our upcoming Honors Program events. A lot
of time, thought and energy are put into these events and they are all very
enriching. In the words of Iona College’s President, Dr. Joseph E. Nyre, “the
world is run by the people who show up.” So...attend!
October 29— Pre-Professional Presentation
By Dr. Andrew Griffith (Hagan); discussion will revolve around graduate
degrees in business and the GMAT. Bring your own lunch!
Location: Spellman Faculty Dining Room
Time: 12-1 pm
October 30- Pre-Professional Presentation
By Dr. Joe Stabile (Biology); discussion will focus on Biology as well as the
MCAT and DCAT. Bring your own lunch!
Location: Spellman Faculty Dining Room
Time: 12-1 pm
November 1– HON101A trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
November 4– Nighttime Lecture (Co-sponsored w/ Psychology Dept.
and Psi Chi Honor Society)
Dan Smith, author of Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety
Location: Romita
Time: 6:30 pm
November 6– Tea with the Director! Join us for ch atting, cookies,
tea, and games!
Location: Honors Office
Time: 2-5 pm
November 7– HON101B trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Meet on the steps of the Met @ 11 am!
November 20– ICTE’s performance of Oedipus Rex (HON101
students please attend.)
Location: Doorley Auditorium
Time: 2pm
November 21– Outing to the Frick Museum; esp. HON201 but all
welcome!
Meet in front of the museum at 11 am!
December 4– First Year Students’ Dinner, Elia Taverna
Renewing a tradition of taking our first year seminar students to dine on the
foodstuffs of Odysseus and Socrates!
Location: Elia Taverna, 502 New Rochelle Rd, Bronxville, NY
Time: 5 pm
December 5– 10th Undergraduate Conference in Medieval and
Early Modern Studies
We’ll be taking selected students to this conference to present their work!
Location: Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA
December 9– Christmas Party
Location: Burke Lounge, Spellman Hall
Time: 2-4 pm
9
THE MURAL PROJECT: IONA COLLEGE THROUGH ART
Iona recently commissioned artist Amy Bartell to create a mural to
signify the mission and aspects of the college. Over the course of
about a month, Bartell devised an outline on three canvas panels, while
students, faculty, and staff painted the mural in a “color-by-numbers”
approach. Each panel represented a different facet of Iona College–
body, spirit, and mind.
120 students, many a part of the Honors Program, took part in
painting the mural. Katherine O’Brien, a sophomore in the Honors
Program, expressed her delight in participating in the project:
“Being able to participate was incredible for me as an individual, but
the best part of this experience was working with my fellow Gaels. We
all exhibited great focus and passion to help create this not only for the
school now, but also for those who will come after us.”
The mural, which was unveiled on September 25, is now displayed in the Robert V. LaPenta Student
Union.
ICHP WENT TO THE DOGS (FOR A DAY!)
September 18, 2015— Recently, the Iona College Honors Program hosted a stress relief event for
Honors Students. This much-anticipated event, coined “Dog Therapy,” was held outside of the Honors
House. Students talked with Drs. Hughes, Lacey, and Umashankar, and interacted with their dogs.
This event was a complete success! The science
behind pet interaction and stress levels is interesting
and telling.
“Research shows that interaction with pets
decreases the level of cortisol — or stress hormone —
in people and increases endorphins, known as the
happiness hormone.”
Source: USA Today
Colleges from Emory
University to Yale Law
School have implemented puppy programs to combat stress and give
students the chance to relax and enjoy time with a furry companion.
This event will recur in the spring. We look forward to spending time with
ICHP’s dogs again!
Interested in writing for The Pinnacle?
Have suggestions for future issues?
Have a story you want to see covered?
Let us know! Please contact Ceire Kealty
([email protected])