Courtney Ignarri '06

B.A. - Psychology, Temple University

Ph.D. Candidate - Social Psychology, Lehigh University

"Honors was not just an advising office for me during my four years at Temple. It was a social support network that provided a sense of belonging and a home away from home. "Advisor" seems like such a poor title for the staff at Honors as they rose above and beyond simply guiding me through my coursework.

The Honors staff helps students with financial issues, scholarship applications, graduate school interviews, problems at home, conflicts with classes or professors, and even personal tragedies. I know this all too well and have benefited from their generosity and compassion. In the fall of my senior year, the building where I lived collapsed, and I lost all of my possessions. I was notified while in class and instinctively made a beeline for Honors. I knew that I would be safe there and that I'd be taken care of while figuring out what to do next. Upon my arrival I wasn't turned away or sent to some other office. Rebecca Oliver comforted me through hysterics and former Honors advisor Shannon Gary immediately began calling other offices to rally support. By the end of the day, a meeting had been called and the University was offering to replace our textbooks, provide us with housing, a supplementary meal plan, and many other things. Rebecca Oliver worked with us for two full days to make sure that we had everything we needed. Needless to say, I finished my senior year successfully and with the help of my Honors advisors applied and was accepted to a Ph.D. program in social psychology at Lehigh University.

I still miss the Honors community and can never properly thank them for all that they have done for me. My Temple experience was made that much better by the Honors Program."