Student Profiles - Top of the Class
A select group of first-year students in UMaine’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences received personal congratulations from the dean this year for their academic achievement during the fall semester.
Continuing a tradition started in 2006, Interim Dean Jeff Hecker recognized students who earned a 3.75 grade point average or better in their first semester as the “Top of the Class of 2011.” Of more than 70 who qualified for the honor, 25 attended a Feb. 28 reception at the Buchanan Alumni House to meet the dean and faculty members from the college.
“I am pleased department chairs and other faculty members asked to be included in this event,” said Hecker. “It is an excellent opportunity for students to establish contacts within their academic majors early in their careers here.”
Students also learned about academic honor societies for which they might qualify if they maintain their excellent grades. Representatives of Phi Beta Kappa, for liberal arts students, and Phi Kappa Phi, the university-wide honorary, explained when students should be looking for letters of invitation and encouraged them to learn about honorary societies in their academic majors, as well.
“The first semester of your first year in college can be difficult,” said Hecker in welcoming this year’s “Top of the Class.” “Obviously, you have met the challenge and done an outstanding job.” Hecker asked students to comment on their first semester and any surprises they encountered. One student said she was surprised to be recognized for her achievement.
“In high school, it’s just expected,” she said. “We get to college and are invited to a reception and told we did a good job.”
Another member of the Class of 2009, wrote the following about a spring 2006 reception: “What a great time that was last night. I was so shy going into it, too, and it turned out wonderfully well. Thank you for making it a positive, comfortable experience.”
Students attending that reception had high praise for their experiences with CLAS faculty members, naming one after the other as “amazing.” The students’ remarks prompted then Dean Ann Leffler to send the following e-mail to faculty members who were mentioned:
“Last night I had the pleasure of hosting the College’s first “Top of the Class” reception at my home. We asked them to name one highlight of their first semester here. Overwhelmingly, they said it was the faculty. They praise your dedication, your warmth, your concern for students, and your passion for your subjects. You are the reason, they said, that they are delighted to have chosen UMaine. You are their ‘Top of the Class.’ Thank you!”
President Robert Kennedy, responding to a copy of Dean Leffler’s e-mail, recalled alumni and fundraising events at which he talked about or highlighted six or eight faculty. “Most of the faculty I highlighted throughout the trip were from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” he wrote. “CLAS faculty accomplishments are noteworthy and I relayed them to our alums with great UMaine pride.”
Dean of Students Robert Dana also wrote, “Certainly from my perspective, over and over again we in Student Affairs hear wonderful stories about CLAS faculty from students who have been hugely impacted by careful attention, appropriate challenges, and focused attention to developing good thinkers and doers.”
Top of the Class recognition contributes to the university’s efforts to retain students. Conceived by Associate Dean Kathryn Olmstead, the event responds to the knowledge that “at risk” students can include high achievers who might look elsewhere if not challenged and rewarded.
“It takes very little to reach out to these students early in their academic careers to create a sense of community with each other and within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” Olmstead said. “I think they really appreciate it. We continue to greet each other on campus and a number of them have contacted me with questions and ideas.”
“I am pleased to carry on the tradition started by Dean Leffler,” said Hecker, who presented each student with a silver frame embossed with: Top of the Class, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Maine. “We have students who compare favorably to undergraduates at the best liberal arts colleges in the nation. It’s important that we recognize these students and provide them with opportunities to excel.”
