Jayne Reines, a recent Franke Honors graduate, presented her thesis work last semester at a medical conference in Ohio. Her research explores the overlap of health and the humanities—how physicians interact with patients spiritually. If you are interested in studying this overlap like Reines, we recommend registering for HNRS 395M: Medicine, Spirituality, & Healing: The Rise and Limits of the Biomedical Scientific Program.

Franke Honors Professor of Practice Patrick Baliani has been awarded the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence. This award was created through a gift from the Thomas R. Brown Foundation in honor of Gerald J. Swanson, University of Arizona Professor Emeritus, and is given to recognize distinction in undergraduate teaching.

The Franke Honors Civic Leadership Certificate aims to provide coursework opportunities for students to grow their leadership skills, give back to their communities, and improve their ethics. To achieve the certificate, students are required to take multiple courses whose subject matter centers on topics like community engagement, ethics, and leadership structures within different institutions.

Pearl and Precious Craig are Franke Honors alumnas both entering into their third year as Doctor of Pharmacy Candidates at the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy. Throughout their time in Honors, both Pearl and Precious were recipients of numerous accolades and awards from both in and outside of the University. Now, as pharmacy students, these sisters are initiating positive change through an organization they co-founded together in the School of Pharmacy.

Kyle Cook just graduated from the W.A. Franke Honors College with honors in Physiology and Medical Sciences. During his undergrad, Cook conducted research with the Sarver Heart Center and served as the president of the Physiology Club on campus. He took advantage of the Honors Early Assurance Program during his junior year, which guaranteed him a spot at the College of Medicine – Tucson, where he will begin attending next fall.

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.