Student Profiles
Ricky Chapman
Economics
Class of 2009
Portland, OR
"My initial interest in Notre Dame was due to Fr. John Wironen, C.S.C., my former pastor, who is also a Notre Dame graduate. He invited my family to attend his Jubilee (the 25th anniversary of his ordination) during the spring of my junior year in high school, and during the trip I absolutely fell in love with the University. The campus is gorgeous, and the academics are top-notch. Most of all, though, I was drawn to Notre Dame’s commitment to the education of the whole person: academic, social, physical, and spiritual.
"I actually did not learn that there was an Honors Program until after my acceptance to Notre Dame, but I was overjoyed when I was invited to apply. I’ve always been interested in a diverse array of subjects (math, science, literature, and history among others), and the Honors Program has allowed me to pursue some of these additional interests to a much more challenging and interesting level than I would have been able to otherwise. For example, in my humanities seminar last year we read Ulysses and The Sound and the Fury, which are to date the two most difficult yet most enjoyable books I have ever read.
"Setting aside the amazing academic opportunities that the Honors Program affords its members, perhaps its best attributes are the students themselves. My two best sets of friends at Notre Dame are through my dorm and through the Honors Program. There is so much more to learn in college than what you hear in the lecture hall, and just being able to spend time on a regular basis with other smart, motivated, and enthusiastic students has benefited me as much as any of my classes.
"For example, the Stratford trip was great fun. I’ve always been a fan of theater and musicals, and the Stratford performances are world-renowned for their quality. The best part of the trip, though, was just being on an adventure in Canada with 50 other Honors Program students. I had a great time going out to dinner with a group after one of the plays. We ended up walking around downtown Stratford for a long time reveling in the beauty of the town. Quite simply, the best part of the Honors Program is the people, and Stratford is a great place to go with this group of people."