Walter Greason, Ph.D., the man behindt the University Honors School, has changed the program in a short period of time. Prior to his position at the honors school, he had been a lecturer in the department of history and anthropology.
He has made a significant impact as a dean. The students in the honors school have nothing but the upmost respect and gratitude toward his passion for their move through the semesters.
However, news has broken recently that Greason is stepping down from being the Dean of the Honors School. He is moving into a position alongside Dean Henning at the School of Education. But fear not, honors students, his thesis courses will still remain intact, and he certainly will not make himself a stranger.
Susan Schuld, a graduate English student, said, “I am sad to see Greason go, as he was an incredible asset and advocate for the honors school.” Susan, who is also the Graduate Assistant in the Honors School office, is one of many who feel this way.
However, they are happy that he was able to kick-start a phenomenal program so that the Honors School can only get better with time. There will certainly not be a vacuum in the system; the new dean will be just as qualified and considerate as Greason was. After all, now there is a high standard to meet.
Greason was passionate about building the importance of scholarship, but that does not mean that he disregarded the lives of students outside the classroom. On nights when Honors School events happened, students would find Greason happily helping and taking part in the activity.
“Dr. Greason has been a wonderful resource for the honors school residents in Beechwood Hall, co-sponsoring events with the Residential Life Office and RA staff,” said Beechwood’s Area Coordinator, Carolyn Houck.
Just last week, Greason worked alongside students during the Hot Chocolate Social and Military Donation Drive. They created care packages for soldiers with items such as lip balm, deodorant, protein bars, and hand-written letters. It is wonderful to see faculty so interested in things outside of their main interest.
Later in the year, students will still find Greason walking around at the Honors School Fall Barbeque, ready to answer any questions or concerns which students may have. He has not fully made the transition into his role in the School of Education yet, and the Honors School is still in the process of picking a new dean.
Greason “has paved a successful path for all future students to tread along, so that they all may complete the program with success and confidence,” said senior psychology student, Harry Termyna.
Greason has done such an amazing job building up the school that now other departments want that same expertise. He has created a system that should be able to work effectively and autonomously.
The honors school alone has gone through many changes in the past few years. However, it seems like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. More funding has finally been approved, which can help aid future students with their research projects or summer classes. This money can also help create more trips and activities for the students to enrich their aesthetics or promote scholarship and service experiences for the Honors students.
We can thank Dr. Greason and the honors school faculty for this large improvement in the program. Now, education majors, you all will have something to look forward to.
PHOTO COURTESY of Skylar Daley
