The Upper Midwest Honors Conference (UMHC) is an annual academic event that brings together honors program students from colleges and universities across the Upper Midwest. Held at Minnesota State University, students present their research, participate in various workshops and engage in activities designed for their academic and social growth. The goal of UMHC is to foster student interaction, exchange ideas and celebrate the honor students’ achievements.
Every semester, Madison College organizes an Honor Competition, rewarding the top three students with an opportunity to attend this conference, significantly contributing to their personal growth by allowing them to showcase their projects. This year the first-place winner of the Fall 2024 Honor Competition, Furkan Sindar, joined Akansha Dendulur, a graduate who earned second place in Fall 2023 and third place in Spring 2024, and their mentor, a Madison College biology instructor Armila Aeilts.
The conference gave them the opportunity to present their projects. Dendulur presented her project titled “The Effects of Trichoderma, Pseudomonas Aureofaciens, and Chitin on Dicot Growth.” Her project was followed by Sindar’s “Sip Success Online: Accessible Website for People with Visual Disabilities,” project.
Representing Madison College was an exhilarating and prideful experience. After delivering the presentations, they had the opportunity to attend other presentations, which they found informative and beneficial. Later, they listened to an inspiring speech from Nadia Mohamed, the Mayor of St. Louis Park. Mohamed shared her journey as an immigrant whose family pressured her to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer. Defying expectations, she pursued her passion and became a mayor.
As an international student, her story resonated deeply with Sindar, who asked Mohamed whether parental pressure stunts students’ dreams and creativity or helps develop determination. Mohamed answered that it dampens aspirations. Sindar said Mohamed’s speech and life story impacted him.
The conference wrapped up on the third day with Dendulur participating in a panel discussion. Representing the college was immense, reminding them of the importance of being an honors student and the significance of creating projects that positively impact people’s lives.
The college’s regular Honor Competitions are instrumental in preparing students for experiences like UMHC, making these competitions one of the institution’s most valuable traditions. They foster growth and ensure strong representation outside the college community.
Reflecting on the benefits of Madison College’s participation in UMHC, both Aeilts and Dendulur gave their insights. Aeilts emphasized that the conference inspires students and helps them learn from peers at other institutions through valuable social interactions. Dendulur highlighted networking opportunities and the chance to build connections with colleagues from other colleges.
Finally, when asked about their favorite moments, Aeilts mentioned the inspiring speech from Mayor Mohamed, while Dendulur enjoyed interacting with others and learning from their experiences. Sindar said successfully delivering his presentation and answering questions from students and instructors was his most cherished moment.