Megann Horstead
Content Producer
Kristin Geraty Bonacci, assistant professor of sociology, will replace Perry Hamalis, associate professor of religious studies, as director of the College Scholars Honors program this June.
“I’m really excited about it,” Geraty Bonacci said. “I think the work that professor Hamalis has done to build the program is incredible. I think [it’s] particularly [incredible]to build a really strong sense of community within the program, and so that [connection]is something I hope to maintain.”
Hamalis commented on the college’s choice in naming Geraty Bonacci the new program director.
“Dr. Geraty is a great choice by Dean Pandian,” Hamalis said. “She is someone that both has experience working with the honors program, she served as the division representative for the college scholars committee, and she’s also worked with several other students on honors theses.”
On a professor-student level, Hamalis has also noted how committed Geraty is to working with students on undergraduate research projects and social outreach projects.
He said she’s just someone who is very much fond to the classroom for her energy and her relationship with students and her ability to motivate students to bring out the best in students.
Hamalis served as the program’s director the last eight of his 11-year career at North Central. He said he plans to focus more heavily on academic research and work within his academic department.
Hamalis has played a significant part in the building of the program’s identity over the years.
“I had a lot of support from the college, which I’m deeply grateful for, and tried to implement some new initiatives and some changes to the program,” Hamalis said of the 2007-2012 strategic plan. “We put a whole new curriculum was put in place and that has been great because it makes it possible for students from any major to do the program without too much difficulty.”
There were a number of other changes to the program the last eight years. One of Hamalis’ most fond achievements originates in the creation of the program’s motto.
“Excellence through community,” was first introduced and emphasized under Hamalis’s direction.
Building community is partially valuable because being social is important by nature. As Hamalis pointed out, there’s more value to building community.
“Through community we learn more,” Hamalis said. “If we surround ourselves with friends and peers who are going to ask hard questions, who are going to collaborate with us, provoke us, challenge us, inspire us in a different ways than we’re going to learn more.”
Geraty shared some details on her vision for the program as it looks to move forward.
“I love the community building social events that happen off campus, but I would love to see some of those event happen on campus too. I think it would be fun for the honors program to have a barbecue and go to a football in the fall. Just have it be a little more rooted in the college community, rather than a sort of separate community.”
Geraty said she hopes to integrate the program more into what’s happening around campus, such as those in service and justice work and speakers.
“Community is really important to me and I see that as a key strength of the program right now and one that I absolutely hope to sustain.”
Photo courtesy of North Central College.
