The Honors College

Heidi Appel, Ph.D., Dean, The Honors College
Jack Schultz, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Penn State University and former Director of the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri 

Surprise! Plants can do many things you can do. They can smell, taste, hear, feel, and move, albeit more slowly than you. They can recognize kin, and they defend themselves actively against enemies. People in some cultures talk to their plants and claim to get answers. What does this repertoire of complex behaviors mean? How should we regard plants? Are they intelligent, conscious creatures? Join a free-ranging discussion of the cool things plants do and help decide how we might regard smarty plants.

Blair Ault, Honors Alumna and National Brand Ambassador for Milam and Greene Whiskey

Join us for a lively and informative discussion about the exciting world of "zero-proof" beverages. We'll explore the diverse flavors, ingredients, and techniques used to create delicious and sophisticated drinks that rival their alcoholic counterparts. Learn how to craft your own signature drinks for any occasion, no alcohol required. Whether you're a seasoned non-drinker or simply curious about the sober-curious movement, this conversation will leave you inspired and thirsty for more.

Jeffrey L. Baldwin, General Manager, Texas Renaissance Festival

In traditional theatre, performance is limited to a designated stage area and the action of the play unfolds without audience members, who function as passive observers. In interactive theatre, the performance engages directly with audience members, making them active participants in the piece.  Join a conversation about how interactive theatre changes the performer/audience dynamic with the Entertainment Director of the Texas Renaissance Festival, a ‘grand spectacle’ which will soon celebrate its 50th year.

Jacquie Baly, Ph.D., UH Alumna, President of BalyProjects, Policy Advisor, Chair of the YMCA Capital Campaign, and Chair of the Harris County Women's Commission

A discussion on the rise of women in politics, highlighting the increasing representation of women in legislative bodies worldwide and the impact of female leadership on policy making. (Examples include Vice President Kamala Harris and locally County Judge Lina Hidalgo and County Commissioner Lesley Briones.)

Participants will explore the barriers women face in political spheres and the strategies being employed to overcome these challenges, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, and grassroots activism. The conversation will underscore the transformative potential of women's participation in politics, driving more inclusive and equitable governance

Michelle Belco, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

Join us for a lively and non-partisan look at the decisions of the Roberts Court. Enjoy the evening by standing in the shoes of one of the justices as we consider how the ideology of the court has created and severed alliances. Sit back as we ponder how the Court’s decisions have created a wild ride for litigants and constitutional lawyers.

Tyler Calvin, UH Alumnus and Region Manager, Jackson Family Wines
Jay Dillard, Wine Representative, Jackson Family Wines 

What does quality mean and why does it matter? We will explore and taste through an industry leader’s wines and discuss the different functions of the beverage business.

Jeffrey Church, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Political Science

One standard view about business and capitalism is that morality gets sacrificed to the almighty God of profit. Business leaders should think first and foremost about shareholder profit, not social responsibility. But is this standard view true? We've seen recently some businesses publicly commit to environmental and ethical standards. Could capitalism be changing, and becoming more moral? Or less moral? Is there a role for government in any of this?

Jose Contreras-Vidal, Ph.D., Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor, Cullen College of Engineering and Director of the NSF IUCRC BRAIN Center

How the arts promote brain health while helping researchers decipher the innerworkings of the brain and develop neurotechnologies to treat mental illnesses.

Robert Cremins, Irish Author, Faculty and Director of Creative Work: A Preprofessional Program, The Honors College

Taking inspiration from E.M. Forster's classic novel (and its screen adaptations), this conversation will consider if and what the commercial world and the humanities can learn from each other. We will discuss how and why the culture of the 2020s might respond to Forster's famous exhortation of 1910: "Only connect ..."

Andrew Davis, Ph.D., Dean, Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

Tour the whisky regions of Scotland with McGovern College of the Arts Dean (and whisky enthusiast) Andrew Davis. Taste expressions from the Scottish Highlands to the Lowlands and compare examples of whiskies with varying amounts of peat. Join us for proof that “peated Scotch” can really appeal to all tastes.

Aristotle Economon, Honors Alum, Father of three Honors students/alums, and Founder and Director at EcoFab1 S.A.

In the beginning, two Coog honors students met and later begat three honors Coogs, and a brother honors Coog begat one too. When does it make sense to send the children of UH alumni to their cherished Houston university? And how can parents make it happen?

Emran El-Badawi, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Tarleton State University

The Middle East frequently roils between global actors settling political scores. Its coveted geographical centrality, oil and gas reserves, and its ancient history make it a kind of Middle Earth, a place many American politicians consider the arena of a final conflict between good and evil. What if instead of engaging militarily, a new generation reimagined US-Middle East relations on the basis of purely economic partnership and cultural exchange; could this improve the lives of both camps?

Hanneke Faber, Honors Alumna, CEO of Logitech

Most of us have one: a cluttered drawer of yesteryear's electronics and cables which we'll eventually toss in the garbage. A small nuisance for us, a major impact on the planet: a significant part of the carbon footprint of electronic devices is represented by their 'end of life treatment'. Is there another way, and what could the industry - and each of us - do?

Dean Gladden, Managing Director, Alley Theatre

Cities across America are producing theatrical productions besides New York. In fact, most theatrical productions and musicals on Broadway originate outside New York. What theatres in America are doing the most innovative work and what makes them so unique?

Rob Glass, Director, Honors Debate Program, The Honors College

Often overlooked in the history of drink is the role of the fortified wines, including port, sherry, and madeira, amongst many other styles. Not only do they serve a delicate and balanced role at the table, from aperitif through accompaniment and ultimately after-dinner desert, but they have a fascinating history in the origins of English literature, academia, and the American colonies. This table will sample various fortified wines from around the country (and the world) while exploring their history and role in developing the modern world and the modern palate.

David Gow, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Houston's Future

Join the CEO of the Center for Houston's Future to consider a new long-term vision for the city. What should Houston’s long-term aspirations be? How do we get there? What issues must be solved? Or what keeps you up at night? What opportunities warrant more focus and attention? What obstacles do you envision? What initiatives should be put in place for overcoming those obstacles? The conversation will cover all these questions and more, as we consider what we want for our city and the best strategies for turning those dreams into a reality.

Irene Guenther, Ph.D., Retired Faculty, The Honors College

From an early age, kids are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  They come to the university as freshmen and are asked, “So, what are you going to major in,” as if they should know at 18 what they didn’t know at 5, which is what they want to do with the rest of their lives.  It turns out, most people pursue two, three, and even more career paths, some of which seem to have absolutely no connection to the profession they ultimately embrace, including yours truly.  This table conversation wants to flip Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken” on its head and explore the numerous roads each of you have taken to get to where you are today. Table prizes included!

Debbie Harwell, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College and Managing Editor of the Houston History magazine, UH Center for Public History

From Hurricane Carla in 1961 to Hurricane Beryl, from the 1960 snowstorm that blanketed Houston to winter storm Yuri, if you've been in Houston anytime, you have shared at least one weather adventure.

Our weather emergencies are no joke, but sharing the stories of how we have survived them makes us stronger and connects us as a community. Please, share yours.

Nicolas Jacobsen, Ph.D., Director, Energy and Sustainability Minor, The Honors College, Former Semi-professional poker player

Poker has been described as a uniquely American game, and even a national pastime. Our conversation will delve into poker concepts—such as calculating expected value, risk management, and game theory—as well as the unique social aspects of poker. We will consider how these concepts are (or are not) useful in other professions and wider situations, as well as the ethical ramifications of a peer-to-peer gambling game.

Janet Lawler, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

How do the fears that entertain us reflect our inner desires to face those fears or revel in them? We'll be talking through the history of the horror genre in cinema and literature, from the 19th century novels that gave us our favorite monsters to the 20th century slashers. What contemporary turn do we see in the genre, and how does it reveal aspects of our collective fears and fascinations today?

Alison Leland, Director of the Prelaw Program, The Honors College

Storm and recovery weary, attracted to or repelled by state politics; native born, or got here as soon as you could, to quote Goode Company. Some Houstonians are considering moving. What is the best and most challenging part of being a Texan?

Christine LeVeaux-Haley, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

We will explore some of the most history making political events in the 2000s beginning with the election of Barack Obama and ending with the election and inauguration that will have occurred just weeks before the Great Conversation. Our launch pad for this conversation will be songs from the musical Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda gives us the blueprint to identify history making moments. How does it feel to know that we are living in historic times? You may be asked to sing your answer!

Robert Liddell, Faculty, The Honors College

Christened in 1962—without irony—the Eighth Wonder of the World, the story of the Houston Astrodome begins with the imperial vision of Houston tycoon Roy Hofheinz and ends... with no end in sight. Once designed to be an indelible expression of our city's astronautical future, now too neglected to renovate and too structurally sound to be demolished, the world's Eighth Wonder stands dormant, but defiant, exiled to the present, disconnected from its past, and cut off from its future. Can our city restore or re-envision its most iconic structure?

Stuart Long, Ph.D., Associate Dean, The Honors College

The life and times of Larry McMurtry will be discussed, including his formative years in Archer City, his brief teaching stint at Rice University, his major novels set in Texas, and his extensive book collection. One can argue that the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Lonesome Dove has done more to shape the country’s understanding of Texas than anyone before or since. The conversation leader was fortunate to have had Mr. McMurtry as his freshman English teacher, also grew up in West Texas, read all his works, and corresponded with the author and his son over the past six decades.  Join him in discussing your favorite McMutry novels and sharing your favorite stories about the prolific author.

John Lunstroth, Faculty, The Honors College

Neuroscience suggests that we cannot because we really don't exist. Exclusionary religious rules say we cannot because God chose us, not them. The secular political theory of individualism says we cannot in any meaningful way, although we must, or should in any event. We will bring our lived experience with others to the table to explore what our own lives tell us about others and how we should understand our public existence and meanings. What does it mean to be human? To be alive? Are we, as Aristotle says, "political animals?" What roles do friendship and love play?

Iain Morrison, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

The notion that the generations are inherently different has gained popular traction. We even name the various generations based on arbitrary dates that are said to signify historical moments that somehow change the world view for those of a certain age. Debates about what characterizes these generations are endless, as are the debates over which generation, and its respective traits, is the best. The table will discuss the notion of generations and what sense any of this makes, if at all.

Barbara Radnofsky, UH Alumna, Attorney, and Author

We all have dreams, and they may change. How can we best go about realizing them.
Hint: it’s the journey, true, but there’s sometimes a great ending or impetus to the next dream.

Ben Rayder, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards, The Honors College

Have you ever heard of the Staten Island Pizza Rats or the Rocket City Trash Pandas? Do you have any interest in competing in a Seinfeld Little Kicks Dance Competition? Do you enjoy paying for an affordable sporting event? If so, then you either are or should be a fan of minor league baseball. This table will discuss the crazy world of minor league baseball and its place in contemporary society. From wacky identities to eccentric theme nights and promotions, minor league baseball is a one-of-kind experience that is not only a professional sporting event, but also a reflection of popular culture.

Max Rayneard, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

After nearly 150 years of baseball ascendancy, American lovers of the bat-and-ball have a new choice to consider – cricket! Actually, it’s a quite old choice. George Washington was a big fan, and the first international cricket match ever, between the US and Canada, was held in New York in 1844 with 20,000 people reportedly in attendance. Soon thereafter America, already contemptuous of tea, discovered hotdogs and abandoned cricket. But now it's back! 2021 saw the launch of Major League Cricket, and in 2024 the US co-hosted the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, packing stadia in Dallas, New York, and Florida. The growth is local, too. Since 2018, Greater Houston has been home to the Prairie View Cricket Complex, one of the country's biggest. So why has the US taken so long to rediscover the world’s second most popular sport? And which is better, cricket or baseball? By what criteria are we to decide? Join a table for both experts and the curious, for fans of either, both, or neither sport.

Brenda Rhoden, Ed.D., Assistant Dean, The Honors College

At this table, we will discuss what it means to travel--from school trips to study abroad to vacation travel (with and without family) to work travel.  We will examine how travel changes in different seasons of our lives and why/how we seek new explorations.  Finally, we'll share some of our best experiences and recommendations for colleagues around the table.

Rita Sharp, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

At this table, we will discuss how new AI tools have the potential to disrupt how we learn, what we learn, and how we work. Is AI the new calculator of our time, or do students still need to learn without using any AI?

Dave Shattuck, Ph.D., Faculty, Cullen College of Engineering

When an author writes a book of fiction, or a series of books, that author has a vision for the world being created.  When producing a movie or television adaptation, that vision is likely to be adjusted.  How important is it for a movie to faithfully follow the book on which it is based? The discussion will begin with a consideration of the books and the movies of the Lord of the Rings series and will then contemplate movie adaptations of books more generally.

Tamler Sommers, Ph.D., Faculty, The Honors College

Everyone has heard of Plato's famous allegory of the cave but there's no consensus on what it means. We'll dig into the allegory, its place in Plato's Republic, and what Plato might be telling us about reality, truth, justice, education, mystical journeys, and much more.

Lois Farfel Stark, Emmy Award-winning producer, documentary filmmaker, and author

How can we read the past and catch the future? Shape itself can be a key to a change in thinking. We’ve gone from early humans’ circular mindset, seen in round thatched huts and sacred stone circles, to a ladder-like worldview, from pyramids to skyscrapers. Today, networks master our mental map. What’s next? We shape our world, then it shapes us. To think out of the box, know the box you are in.

Jonathan Williamson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, The Honors College

As the latchkey generation, Generation X was once known as either angsty or apathetic. Or a generation was dismissed as full of slackers. Now, mostly in their 50s, Gen Xers are largely ignored; the generation wars largely pit Boomers against the Millennials or the Millennials against Generation Z.  Generation X, though, has something to say! Let’s talk about what that is, and how Gen X has impacted, and continues to impact, American society, politics, and culture.