News

The Pitt News: Shay Roth: Health literacy warrior

Frederick Honors College's Forbes-Craig house fellow Shay Roth is about to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh for the second time this spring — this time as a published author.

2024 Frederick Honors College Research Symposium Awards

The Frederick Honors College Office of Research is excited to announce the following awards for the 2024 FHC Research Symposium. Thank you to all students for your hard work in presenting your research and creative projects.

Maya Jones—Research, Design, and Construction of an 18th Century Versailles Court Gown.

Lillian Taylor—Natural and Unnatural Threats: Piracy, Knowledge Production, and the Environmental Imagination in the British Atlantic.

Pittwire: Pitt seniors earned awards from the Dietrich School and College of General Studies

Five Frederick Honors College students were among those recognized by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies for their accomplishments in the classroom and beyond; congrats to: Grace Fleury, Anushka Konka, Ryan Racioppo, Reagan Russell and Roman Storozynsky.

Frederick Honors College Student Council 2024–25 Elected

On April 3, new officers were elected to the 2024–25 Frederick Honors College Student Council: Isaac Gamwo – President; Madison DeMarino – Executive Vice President; Stephanie Yau – VP of Finance; Brandon Hale – Vice President of Programming; Kayla Moitui – Vice President of Communications; Sneha Chaudhuri – Director of Administration.

Pittwire: 5 undergraduates will represent Pitt at the 2024 ACC Meeting of the Minds

Frederick Honors College students Michelle Chung, Connor Diaz and Neharika Murthy and FHC Brackenridge Fellow Alivia Pierce will represent Pitt at the ACC Meeting of the Minds, being held April 5–7 at the University of Notre Dame. 

Pittwire: Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards given to 15 faculty members

Two Frederick Honors College faculty fellows are among this year's awardees: Leonora Anyango received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Public Service Award and Andrew Lotz received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.

Pittwire: A Pitt alumna and Fulbright scholar participated in the EU-US Young Leaders Seminar

Frederick Honors College alumna and Fulbright scholar Michelle Furmansky connected with leaders from across the globe in Brussels for the EU-US Young Leaders Seminar, engaging in candid discussions on the evolving dynamics of transatlantic relations, global security concerns and the effects of climate change.

Pittwire: A first-generation Pitt alumna was selected for a Pickering Fellowship

Khadajah Muhammad, a University of Pittsburgh alumna, is charting a path toward diplomatic service with her recent selection to the 2024 Thomas R Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program.

Pittwire: Pitt has 2 new Goldwater Scholars

Two Frederick Honors College juniors have been named 2024 Goldwater Scholars: Oluwatofunmi Abiola and Richard Fang.

7 Frederick Honors Students Elected to 2024–25 SGB

FHC's Sarah Mayer will serve as the 2024-2025 Student Government Board President, and Frederick Honors students Ashley White, Katie Emmert, Lauren Rubovitz, Mercy Akanmu, Evan Levasseur, and Neal Gupta will serve as the 2024-2025 Student Government Board Executive Board Members.

Pittwire: A Pitt senior was named to the German Academic Exchange Service

Frederick Honors College senior Sydney Wilhelmy was named to the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), translated in English as the German Academic Exchange Service.

Pittwire: 2 Pitt teams will present their winning Hacking4Humanity projects to Gov. Josh Shapiro

FHC junior Rory McCann is one of the winners of the 2024 Hacking4Humanity competition in the tech division; winners presented their projects at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence on March 22.

Pittwire: A Pitt junior will compete on 'The Amazing Race'

Maya Mody, a Frederick Honors College junior, will compete alongside her brother for $1 million dollars on “The Amazing Race.”

Pittwire: 2 Pitt students received 2024 Critical Language Scholarships

The Frederick Honors College Office of National Scholarships is proud to announce that Dannial Cardillo and Christina White have been named 2024 Critical Language scholars.

Pittwire: 2 Pitt seniors competed at an ethics in engineering competition

Frederick Honors College senior Alison Linares Mendoza teamed up with fellow Swanson School of Engineering student Anvi Viji-Anand at the seventh annual Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering competition.

Forbes: A College Double Major Could Be A Ticket To Career Security

Frederick Honors College senior Michael Sobol discusses the benefits he sees to completing a double major in pursuit of his career goals.

Pittwire: 2 Pitt undergrads completed Pittsburgh Media Partnership internships

James Paul, a Frederick Honors College junior majoring in writing and law, criminal justice and society worked 10-15 hours each week to produce content for Pittsburgh Media Partnership members.

FHC BOV chair honors founding dean through generous gift

Nearly two years after the naming of the David C. Frederick Honors College, the vision created and fostered by founding Dean G. Alec Stewart, PhD continues to thrive as the college grows, shaping today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.  

Pittwire: This Pitt junior’s podcast is transforming communities through conversation

Ian Kehinde's "Let's Talk Social Innovation" podcast is sponsored by CRSP and the Frederick Honors College’s Office of Social Innovation, where it’s part of the ChangeMakers Media Lab.

Pittwire: Senior Alex-Jaden Peart earned a 2024-25 Lionel Pearson Fellowship

Alex-Jaden Peart, a Frederick Honors College Bachelor of Philosophy candidate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Classics, is a recipient of a 2024-25 Lionel Pearson Fellowship, which will fund a year of his graduate studies at an English or Scottish university.

Pittwire: Junior Zachary Miller won the 2024 Dick Thornburgh Forum Disability Service Award

Frederick Honors College junior Zachary Miller is the recipient of the 2024 Dick Thornburgh Forum Disability Service Award, an annual prize is granted to a student from any Pitt campus whose service has made a difference in the lives of adults and children with disabilities.

The Pitt News: Honors College hosts Changemakers in Art panels for Black History Month

The Frederick Honors College hosted their three-part Changemakers in Art series last Thursday and Friday, with events in the Center for Creativity’s Understory in the Cathedral of Learning, the William Pitt Union and Hillman Library.

Pittwire: Pitt has been named a 2023–24 Fulbright Top Producer

Since the 2013–14 cycle, Pitt has earned this prestigious accolade nine times and has produced 114 Fulbrighters.

The Pitt News: Runner-Up | Excerpt from ‘CAN I KICK IT?: Discussing The Vietnam War,’ First Edition

Alivia Pierce is an art history major who participated in the Frederick Honors College's summer Brackenridge Fellowship, and an excerpt of her research was featured in The Pitt News.

Pittwire: Here’s who won the University’s annual social justice awards

Two Frederick Honors College members, Ron Idoko, director of social innovation in honors education, and senior Aarushi Pant, who is a SAFE peer educator, were honored with the Creating a Just Community Award and University Prize for Strategic, Inclusive and Diverse Excellence (UPSIDE) Award, respectively.

The Pitt News: Pitt first year Imaan Saeed wins Carnegie Museum inclusive art competition

The first-year Frederick Honors College student majoring in molecular biology and studio arts major won a prize at the “Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh” competition, the Carnegie Museum’s call for diverse art that “encouraged artists throughout southwestern Pennsylvania to share their visions for a just and equitable Pittsburgh.”

KDKA News: University of Pittsburgh student recreates Marie Antoinette-inspired dress

Jones was awarded a Creative Arts Fellowship grant of $4,000 from the Fredrick Honors College during her sophomore year; this grant went to help her both research and create this dress.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Color me Marie Antoinette: Pitt student recreates dress from French Court

Creative Arts Fellowship recipient Maya Jones' 18th-century French gown is currently on display in Hillman Library.

Pittwire: Sophomore Kaden Kashner was short-listed for the 2023 Harvey Chute Book Awards

The Frederick Honors College sophomore's book, “The ChatGPT Business Playbook: AI-Driven Strategies and Formulas for Business Success,” was among 17 business and enterprise nonfiction publications recognized as outstanding works of emerging talent.

Pittwire: 15 Pitt students were named 2023 Gilman Scholars

Two of the winners—Stephany Andrade and Kayla Brockington—are sophomores in the Frederick Honors College.

Two Frederick Honors College students named 2023–24 Iris Marion Young Awardees

Neha Devineni and Jolie Haertter were honored on November 30, 2023 as recipients of this year's Iris Marion Young Award for Political Engagement, which is awarded annually to students who work to promote justice in the University, at the local or national level, or globally. Devineni is majoring in biology and gender, sexuality, and women’s studies, and Haertter is majoring in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies and psychology.

The Tribune-Democrat: U.S. diplomat on African affairs shares insights with UPJ students, community

Frederick Honors College's Diplomat in Residence Sherry Zalika Sykes visited the University of Pittsburgh's Johnstown campus to encourage others to follow in her footsteps and pursue careers in foreign affairs and diplomacy.

The Pitt News: Inaugural Experts-in-Residence Program brings Damon Young to campus

Damon Young, this year’s writer in residence at the University of Pittsburgh, believes literacy skills are important to have in today’s society.

FHC alumnus Joseph Landsittel named Rhodes finalist

Joseph Landsittel (A&S, FHC ’22) of Murrysville, Pennsylvania, believes that mathematical modeling can be used to make predictions to understand our world better and improve people’s lives through that understanding. While still an undergraduate at Pitt, Landsittel completed the David C. Frederick Honor’s College’s prestigious Bachelor of Philosophy degree in applied mathematics, physics and astronomy, won two university-level prizes—the Thomas-Lain Prize in Physics and Astronomy and the M.M.

Pittwire: These Pitt students brought their passion for public service to the White House

Three Frederick Honors College students, Liam Horan, Jake Lorenz, and Sophia Shapiro, participated in summer internships at the White House, where they received hands-on experience in public service.

Pittwire: Adi Mittal won first place at the 2023 Collegiate Inventors Competition

Alumnus Adi Mittal (A&S, FHC '20) won first place in the graduate student category at the 2023 Collegiate Inventors Competition for the development of a test to detect a brain aneurysm.

FHC students attend National Association of African-American Honors Programs conference

Last week, five Frederick Honors College students had the opportunity to participate in the 32nd annual National Association of African-American Honors Programs (NAAAHP) conference in Baton Rouge, LA hosted by Southern University.

The conference is an opportunity for students around the country to gather for networking, academic competitions, scholarly research presentations, and educational & professional enrichment opportunities.

Pittwire: A new Frederick Honors program brings national experts to Pitt

In August 2023, Nicola Foote, dean of Pitt’s David C. Frederick Honors College, announced the launch of the Experts-in-Residence Program, a partnership between the college and three distinguished leaders in their fields.

Pittsburgh Panthers News: Ron Idoko Receives 2023 ACC UNITE Award

Ron Idoko, Director of Social Innovation in Honors Education, has once again been recognized for his outstanding work in the fields of racial and social justice, this time earning the 2023 ACC UNITE Award.

Pittwire: A Pitt alumna is the only US citizen to win an Erasmus Mundus award

Maria Anto, a David C. Fredrick Public Service Internship Award recipient, is Pitt's second-ever winner of an Erasmus Mundus award.

University Times: Diplomat takes up residence at Pitt to promote State Department

Sherry Zalika Sykes will hold extensive programming within the Honors College while partnering with other areas of the University, including GSPIA, the Institute for Politics, UCIS and the Global Experiences Office.

Pittwire: Undergraduate Alison Linares Mendoza received a Young Eagles engineering internship

This Frederick Honors College senior spent her summer participating in the Young Eagles Internship Program, which identifies and engages promising future leaders of the general aviation sector.

The Pitt News: New Diplomat in Residence aims to ‘inform and inspire’

Meet Sherry Zalika Sykes, Pitt's first Diplomat in Residence, who is housed out of the Frederick Honors College and serves the Allegheny region.

Pittwire: Pitt alumna Aditi Sridhar premiered a short film at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival

Aditi Sridhar, a recent Frederick Honors College graduate, debuted her short film “Pivot” at the 14th annual Chicago South Asian Film Festival on September 21.

FHC Creative Arts Fellowship student creates 18th-century Versailles court gown

Maya Jones, a junior in the Frederick Honors College majoring in history and theater arts, participated in this summer's Creative Arts Fellowship through which she created an 18th-century Versailles court gown.

Jones became interested in historical fashion during the pandemic and wanted to make a dress in the style of the French court. She entered college looking for an opportunity for the funding and extensive time to research and create such a gown. Of her creative process, Jones stated:

Technically Media: What this Pitt engineering student learned from a summer spent analyzing the power grid

Frederick Honors College sophomore Isabella Hsia gained a new understanding of how the energy and cybersecurity fields overlap through the interdisciplinary SHURE-Grid program.

Pittwire: 2 Pitt students earned Voyager Scholarships

Erin Lancaster and Anjolaoluwa Oludayo are both juniors in the David C. Frederick Honors College, and their wins solidify Pitt’s status as a top producer of Voyager Scholars among public universities for the second year running.

Pittwire: In this program, Pitt students are working to protect the electric power grid

Through the Frederick Honors College Office of Research, students were invited to participate in a pilot interdisciplinary program supported by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

FHC Ambassador Applications Open

The Frederick Honors College wants you to become an FHC Student Ambassador! FHC Ambassadors offer invaluable assistance to our staff during student recruitment events throughout the academic year. FHC Ambassadors receive Honors OCC credit, FHC swag, and more! Interested students should apply by September 5, 2023.

Pittwire: Frederick Honors College representatives presented at UN side event

Dean Nicola Foote gave a keynote on the school’s and Pitt’s commitment to supporting transformative social change and the Declaration on the Rights of People of African Descent.

Pittwire: Frederick Honors College supports 35 students through Brackenridge Fellowship

Among this year’s 35 Brackenridge recipients are two students—Kaylee Huber and Ethan Crosby—from Pitt-Greensburg’s honors program, the first time a cohort has included students from a regional campus.

Pittwire: FHC's Michael Meyer becomes first Pitt Berlin Prize recipient

Professor Michael Meyer, an electus faculty fellow in the Frederick Honors College, will receive support and resources from the The American Academy in Berlin as he works on his book “Taiwan Rising: Biography of a Modern Nation."

Pittwire: Ones to Watch - Ryan Steinly

A Frederick Honors College student fluent in language and justice.

Pittwire: 15 Pitt students were named Gilman scholars

Among the recipients are two Frederick Honors College students: Kira Klein and Stacey Ngo.

Pittwire: 10 Pitt students are 2023-24 Fulbright winners

“The Fulbright is one of the most competitive awards available and it is truly outstanding that so many of our students this year have been selected as Fulbrighters,” said Nicola Foote, dean of the Frederick Honors College.

Pittwire: 4 Pitt students earned Boren Awards to study language abroad

Joshua Cannon, a scholar-mentor in the David C. Fredrick Honors College, is passionate about helping students with scholarship and fellowship applications — especially when they’re Marines like him.

Meet RJ Krishnaswamy, one of Pitt's youngest graduates of the Class of 2023

Frederick Honors student, RJ Krishnaswamy, will graduate on Sunday at age 16 with his bachelor of science degree in computer science and move on for a master's degree next year as part of Pitt's 4+1 program.

Anna Li is Pitt’s first-ever recipient of a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

Lesha Greene, director of national scholarships and post-graduation success in the David C. Frederick Honors College, assisted Li with her application essay for the fellowship. Greene, who is also an immigrant from the Caribbean islands Saint Kitts and Nevis, said she’s proud of Li for receiving the honor.

Leading Honors College Philanthropist Chooses Pitt for $2 Million Gift

John H. Martinson knows a great honors college when he sees one. This year, Martinson added the University of Pittsburgh to his list.

FHC junior Grace Fleury named Goldwater scholar

Fleury is the University's 64th winner of the award, which is the most prestigious scholarship aimed at STEM students.

Pittwire: 4 Pitt students were named 2023 Critical Language Scholars

Among this year's Pitt winners is Hiba Siddiqui, a junior in the Frederick Honors College and Dietrich School majoring in psychology, who will study Urdu in India.

FHC Electus Faculty Fellow earns 2023 Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award

Michael Meyer was honored with the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award at this year’s Faculty Honors Convocation by Chancellor Patrick Gallagher in recognition of his dedication to his students and his craft.

Frederick Honors College student Vidya Surti elected to Allegheny Regional Asset District citizen advisory board

As a member of the board, Surti, a third-year FHC student majoring in English and anthropology in Pitt’s Kenneth P Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, will comment on policies and procedures in RAD’s operations and grantmaking process.

Pittwire: Meet 6 local heroes of Black resistance

FHC's Associate Director for Honors Education in Social Innovation, Ron Idoko, and FHC undergraduate and Dean's Award recipient, Selam Mekbeb-Gillett, to be honored as local champions for equality, inclusion and anti-racism initiatives.

Pittwire: Pitt named a top producer of Fulbright U.S. students for 2022-23

FHC’s Office of National Scholarships leads the way in preparing Pitt students and alumni for their applications to study, teach English, and conduct research internationally as part of the Fulbright program.

Two Frederick Honors College students receive funding for Year of Emotional Well-Being projects

FHC students Michelle Khattri and Marrissa Muchnock received funding for their respective projects, the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh Youth Arts Program and Stay Ready Medical Education.

Emergency and Travel Funds Available

The Frederick Honors College offers financial aid through the Dean's Emergency Fund and the Frederick Honors College Travel Fund.

6 Frederick Honors College students named Humanities Center undergraduate research fellows

Harmony Arungwa, Meghana Dodda, Matthew Hickey, Anna Kirwin, Alex-Jaden Peart, and Vidya Surti are members of the 2023-24 class.

FHC student Edha Gupta led a group now being honored by the King Center

When Pennsylvania’s Central York School District rescinded a diversity resource list, effectively keeping around 300 books from being taught in classrooms, the Panther Anti-Racist Union sprang into action. Led by Edha Gupta, now an undergraduate student in the David C. Frederick Honors College, the group’s actions and protests resulted in the school district reversing its decision.

Frederick Honors College student Vidya Surti appointed to the board of directors of Radiant Hall

Vidya Surti, a third-year student FHC student, said she is passionate about disability inclusion, community impact and nonprofit leadership — values that align with the goals and mission of Radiant Hall.

Meet Pitt’s first Mitchell Scholar

The prestigious scholarship will support Frederick Honors College student Alex Firestine as he earns a master’s degree at the University of Galway.

Chancellor’s Scholars host dinner focused on sustainability

How often do you think about food sustainability? For the Chancellor’s Scholars who are involved with Scholar, Community, Honors, Ecosystems, Food (ScholarCHEF), this is a regular topic of conversation, concern and empowerment.

Pitt Magazine: Honor Role

Alumnus David Frederick’s multimillion-dollar gift will benefit students and connect Pitt to the University of Oxford.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Four Pitt students among 100 winners of new Obama Foundation scholarship

Three Frederick Honors College students have received the new Obama Foundation Voyager Scholarship, making Pitt among the schools with the most students to receive the highly-selective scholarship.

Pittwire: 4 Pitt students earned inaugural Voyager Scholarships

University Times: Frederick shares journey from University honors student to benefactor

Pittwire: Donors David Frederick and Sophie Lynn visited Pitt to celebrate the renaming of the Honors College

Pittwire: A gift from David C. Frederick will benefit students at Pitt and University College at Oxford University

Pittwire: Pitt Student Maja Lynn Wins 2022 Marshall Scholarship

Pittwire: Pitt Honors Student Katie Oppenheimer named Goldwater Scholar