W.A. Franke Honors graduating seniors Tintin Nguyen, Andrew Prouty, and Noah Weaver will receive prestigious awards during the University of Arizona's 160th commencement ceremony on May 10 in Arizona Stadium. Tintin, Andrew, and Noah were nominated by their professors and peers, and will be recognized with awards for their impressive contributions within their classrooms and communities.

Last week, the W.A. Franke Honors College hosted its annual research presentation symposium, Franke Honors Pinnacle. Nearly 100 Franke Honors students presented their work at Pinnacle, showcasing diverse research projects that they have been working on throughout the year. Outstanding research is acknowledged with financial awards for Quest projects, senior thesis work, exploratory mini grants, and other special projects.

Franke Honors students Nic Owen and Mireya Borgen, along with professor Patrick Baliani will be performing a reading of the play Red, which details a dramatic account of the life and work of American abstract painter, Mark Rothko. The reading will commemorate the return of Rothko's painting, titled "Green on Blue," to the University of Arizona Museum of Art's permanent collection.

In 2020, Grace graduated from The University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College with majors in East Asian Studies and Global Studies and a law minor. After receiving her Master’s from Johns Hopkins University, Grace now works as a China Analyst at Exovera, a company that conducts national security research and analysis for clients in the public sector. 

As we head into summer, our work continues as we prepare to welcome a brand new batch of Franke Honors Wildcats in the fall. We are incredibly excited to support the next generation of future change makers and leaders, as they move toward their goals and dreams. But first, let's reflect on all of amazing happenings of the last academic year.

On this episode of It's an Honor, Dr. Pollard sits down with Dr. Alex Braithwaite, the Melody S. Robidoux Foundation Fund Professor and Associate Director of the School of Government & Public Policy at the University of Arizona, for a captivating discussion about international conflict. As a W.A. Franke Honors College Academy Scholar, Dr. Braithwaite brings a unique perspective to the conversation, enriched by his remarkable research and background in international relations and conflict studies.

Franke Honors student Colter Thomas was awarded an Exploratory mini-grant, and has used the funding from his grant to create a visual archive of security and surveillance infrastructure in the U.S. borderlands. Colter and his research partner, Dugan Meyer, are hosting an exhibition opening on April 12, and a panel discussion on April 19 at ENR2 on campus.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Recent statistics underscore the urgency of sexual violence prevention and intervention work: RAINN reports that an American is assaulted every 68 seconds, and studies show over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence.

April is a busy time around the W.A. Franke Honors College, but let's take time to pause and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) communities during APIDA Heritage Month. This month and the next provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection, appreciation, and advocacy for the diverse voices within our University of Arizona community.