Christopher Dubbs Makes a Presentation at National Collegiate Honors Council

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Christopher Dubbs

LOCK HAVEN, PA (11/02/2010)(readMedia)-- Milesburg resident Christopher Dubbs represented the Lock Haven University Global Honors Program at the annual conference of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in Kansas City, Mo., October 20-24. At the conference, two LHU honors students and LHU Global Honors Program Director Dr. Joseph P. McGinn gave presentations to honors students, directors and faculty from across the nation.

Honors student Christopher Dubbs, a senior Math major, gave a poster presentation entitled "Mathematical Knots and Exciting Applications to Biology and Chemistry." Knot theory is an exciting branch of mathematics with roots in geometry and topology and implications in DNA research and synthetic chemistry. This poster presentation defined a mathematical knot, introduced the concept of stick numbers, and considered the stick number of alpha-regular unknotted cyclic molecules. A resident of Milesburg, Pa., Dubbs is the son of Holly and Harold Dubbs.

Brent Barge, a sophomore Secondary Education/Math major, was joined by Dr. McGinn in presenting a Signature Program as part of the conference's Forum on International Education. Their presentation, "Creating a Global Honors Program," traced the development of the LHU honors program. Entering its third decade, the Lock Haven University Honors Program is in process of transforming itself into a "Global Honors Program." This presentation addressed the genesis of the transformation, some of the challenges involved in the transformation, and some of the benefits it will bring to current and future students.

McGinn had words of praise for the LHU honors students. "Chris Dubbs and Brent Barge did a wonderful job of representing our honors program and the university. With such fine students in its ranks, the LHU Global Honors Program can look forward to a very bright future indeed."

The National Collegiate Honors Council is the professional association of undergraduate honors programs and colleges; honors directors and deans; and honors faculty, staff, and students. Unusual among professional organizations in higher education is NCHC's inclusion of undergraduate students on its conference programs and as elected members of its governing board. McGinn said, "Each fall the National Collegiate Honors Council's annual conference marks a high point in the world of honors education. And this year Lock Haven University was once again very well represented."

The LHU Global Honors Program provides an enhanced educational experience designed to help the students succeed as scholars, leaders, and global citizens. The program offers small, discussion-oriented classes taught by outstanding professors, the opportunity to work one-on-one with professors on projects, and the chance to participate in regional and national honors conferences. The program's co-curricular offerings, including discussion groups, activity groups, speakers, public issues forums, and service-learning opportunities, provide opportunities for students to make friends and develop leadership experience. All honors students are automatically considered each year for merit-based scholarships reserved just for students in this program. The LHU Global Honors Program is open to students from every major.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.