This week, the University of Alabama is celebrating the achievements of outstanding students as part of Honors Week.
Throughout the week, hundreds of students will be recognized and inducted into more than 50 university-wide and divisional honor societies, as well as awarded scholarships.
Honors Week, an annual event, began in 1967 as Honors Day. However, over the years, it was extended to the first full week in April.
Each day, individual colleges and departments will host celebrations, ceremonies and receptions recognizing achievements made by students.
One of Honors Week’s most anticipated events, the tapping on the Mound, will take place Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Mound, located on the west side of the Quad, has served as the primary location of Honors Day since around 1905.
On the Friday afternoon, societies such as Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key National Honor Society and the Anderson Society will induct new members on the Mound.
Honors Day also brings the suspension of classes and some confusion among students. Daniel Barnes, a sophomore majoring in telecommunication and film, was not aware of the cancellation of classes.
“I did not know this . . . but I think it’s cool that [the University does] that,” Barnes said.
However, some students, such as Alan McMahon, were aware of the suspension of classes and plans to take full advantage of the Honors Day activities.
“I think Honors Day exists for students to be rewarded for their hard work that makes them stand out to their professors,” said McMahon, a junior majoring in business management. “I have a friend being acknowledged on Honors Day, and I definitely think there should be an opportunity for her and people like her to be acknowledged for outstanding work.”
Meredith Harris, a senior majoring in advertising, disagreed and called Honors Day a way to allow students the opportunity to celebrate Good Friday.
“I think Honors Day is a convenient way to have a religious holiday under a secular name,” Harris said. “Plus, the spring semester doesn’t have many holidays apart from spring break.”
Despite the varying opinions, Honors Day has been a tradition at UA for more than a century. It serves as a time to acknowledge the achievement of students who have excelled across campus.
Coresa Nancy Hogan, the president of the Coordinating Council for Honor Societies, assists in the planning of Honors Week and, most notably, the tapping on the mound.
“Classes are suspended on Honors Day to give departments, colleges and organizations a day to recognize those outstanding individuals who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to achieve academic accomplishments and embody the Capstone Creed,” Hogan said.
For a schedule of Honor Week activities, visit www.crimsonhonors.ua.edu.
