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Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News

Dr. Nick Flynn

There is an open position for a new Honors Program director and a search committee is working toward finding a current faculty member to fill the position Dr. Nick Flynn, assistant professor of Biochemistry, has held for six years.

Flynn has decided to step down as director and focus more on his professorship in the chemistry department.

"If you're going to do something, you do it well," he said. "That's always been my big belief, and I can't do both things well anymore; something has to give. I also feel like I have to come back to my department. This is the right time to do it."

Junior Stacy Lee said she's seen Flynn bring the Honors Program to stability and to a place where a new person can come in and the program won't crumble, but continue to expand and grow.

"He doesn't have to tell you what he expects-you just know it," Lee said. "There is an unspoken expectation."

Since the program began, it has seen many changes.

The original group was small and met in a room on the second floor of the library where the old West Texas Collection was located.

Now the Honors Program is a group of 105 students with a 24/7 access lounge, located on the third floor of the library.

Flynn said initially when the program started, he did not know what to think about it, except that it was another opportunity for service.



"As I got into it, I began to realize what Honors is really about, and that's getting

academically-talented students to achieve some of their dreams, helping them become doctors or lawyers, to go to graduate school or to simply graduate and get a job," Flynn said. "I realized this was a good opportunity to give students a new type of professional development."

Although he is leaving the program, Flynn still has hopes and visions for its future.

The program should have their own residence hall and facilities with permanent source of funding for their activities, Flynn said. He sees them having expanded scholarship opportunities, study abroad opportunities and internship opportunities.

Flynn hopes to see a bigger staff and the Honors Program become an Honors College much like the Honors College at Texas Tech. Once the program hits a good five to ten percent of the undergraduate population, it becomes an Honors college which provides different needs and resources to students, Flynn said.

He said he wouldn't mind continuing to help when the program needs it, but wants the new director to be encouraged in his or her new role as much as possible.

"I certainly don't want to be that squawking bird in the background saying, 'no no no, don't do this!' but if they come to me and ask me for my opinion, I'll give it to them and they can use my advice, or not use my advice," he said. "It's really up to the next person coming in."

Honors Program students were able to submit their ideas for program director qualifications, and students like junior Kurt Crenwelge hope the search committee finds someone as dedicated as Flynn.

"In my mind, Dr. Flynn will always be the go-to guy," Crenwelge said. "He's always there to answer questions if you're confused about something. He's very knowledgeable and kind. The program will definitely be missing the 'Flynn-ness' that has always been there."

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