Rachel Newcomb is a graduating senior at the W.A. Franke Honors College studying Neuroscience. Last month, the culmination of her thesis work was on display at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, in the form of mixed media: paint on canvas, poetry, audio interviews, and graphite and ink on paper.  Newcomb’s Honors Thesis, titled Alone, Together, was inspired by her personal experiences and interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

W.A. Franke Honors graduating seniors Kristijan Barnjak, Hillary Schiff, Vanessa Addison, Elizabeth Grace Hala'ufia, and Mikah Wesley Rosanova will be recognized with awards at the University of Arizona's 159th commencement ceremony in Arizona Stadium. Nominated by faculty and their peers, these students were selected based on their determination, notable achievements and positive contributions in both their classrooms and communities.

Since fall 2022, Franke Honors Associate Professor of Practice, Dr. Kate Alexander, has been collaborating with the University of Arizona Museum of Art to give Honors students the experience of interacting with art, up close and personal. Dr. Alexander worked closely on the collaboration with Chelsea Farrar, Curator of Community Engagement, who, along with Dr. Alexander, has been the primary visionary behind the partnership.

On May 11 at McKale Memorial Center, the W.A. Franke Honors College will be celebrating the spring graduating class of 2023. Every semester, we acknowledge select students that have exemplified the values of the college; what it means to seek, connect, create, evolve and celebrate, both personally and academically.

The prestigious Five Star Faculty Award recognizes excellence in teaching and mentoring and is the only university-wide award for faculty members that is determined by undergraduate students. Each year, a committee of W.A. Franke Honors students reviews student nominations before selecting eight semifinalists. From there, candidates are observed by committee members over a two-week period, after which five finalists are named, who send teaching statements prior to their interviews. After the interviews, the committee selects the winner. Rosano is just the second CAPLA faculty member to win the award since it began in 1983.

Dave P. Franke, Principal of Franke & Company, will be recognized with an honorary doctoral degree from Northern Arizona University and provide the keynote address during one of four commencement ceremonies next week. Dave, along with the rest of the Franke family, is known for philanthropy, including the impactful naming gift that made us the W.A. Franke Honors College. Dave's work has changed the lives of students throughout Arizona and beyond, and we are glad to see it recognized in this way. Congratulations, Dave!

Last month, the W.A. Franke Honors College hosted its annual research presentation symposium, Franke Honors Pinnacle. More than 100 Franke Honors students presented their work at Pinnacle, showcasing diverse research projects that they have been working on throughout the semester. Each year, students are judged on their poster presentations in a variety of categories. Outstanding research is acknowledged with financial awards for Quest projects, senior thesis work, and creative video representations of senior research.

Did you know there are scholarships supported by the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships for alumni to pursue graduate school, teaching, or research in the US and abroad? The Franke Honors College values our ongoing connection to our alumni, and we enthusiastically encourage their continued scholarly endeavors.

Spring brings many things and one of the most exciting is the promise of our Franke Honors graduating class of 2023! This graduating class becomes part of a proud and growing group of alumni here at the Franke Honors College. Like so many of you, our young alumni take with them their hopes and dreams to give back and make a difference in this world.

Emily Chavez is a University of Arizona alumni (BS in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, 2015) and the Founder and CEO of Joyful Jobs, a recruiting agency that helps small businesses and nonprofits with hiring for various job types and seniority levels. She is a wife, mom, and foster mom, and is hooked on business ownership! Emily’s goal is to own multiple businesses by age 40, including a nonprofit involving horses and at-risk populations. Along the way, she hopes to support and inspire other young people (especially working moms) to pursue their own dreams.