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| DEGREE PROGRAMS & COURSES |
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| HONORS |
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Michael Thomas Wells - Honors Graduate of 2005
 Born and raised in Houston, Michael heard about St. Thomas from his parents and godparents, who were all UST alumni. “I remember going to visit the school at a very young age with my parents while they visited with professors and friends. The school has always had a familiar and comfortable feel for me.”
Michael explained that, “as I reached my final year of high school, I applied to Texas A&M and the University of Texas in Austin like any good Texan should, but I knew the importance of my Catholic faith and how much my parents enjoyed going to UST.”
When he received a scholarship from UST as well as admittance to the Honors Program and Augustine Hall, he knew that “St. Thomas really was the best choice and could offer me the most opportunities to be successful. The proximity to my home, enrollment size, and its reputation as a Catholic university were also key factors in my decision.”
When Michael first found out about the Honors Program, he thought it couldn’t hurt to interview for the program. “I interviewed with Dr. Hall and was impressed by him and his description of the program. While the program offered many hours of extra work and reading, I came to realize much later how important the topics and discussions are, not only to my life but all of humanity.”
So, he took on the challenge, and the journey was not easy. “It was hard to keep up with my studies and the Honors Program the first two years, but I was reassured by upperclassmen in the program that ‘it all pays off your Junior and Senior year.’ Many students left the program those first two years, but I was determined not to be discouraged and not to give up.”
Michael’s persistence certainly paid off for him. “The third year of the program is spent in service and my opportunity to volunteer at the S.A.F.E center, working with kids, kept my life and studies in perspective. The year spent volunteering and reflecting on service taught me that life is not just studies and work, but that we are meant to serve each other.”
Then, when Senior year rolled around, it “was by far the best and most rewarding year. We tackled the contemporary crisis of the American family and through research and discussion determined as a class some of the roots of the crisis and what we would like for our children and our families in the future. The senior year is terrific because it really brings everything together.”
After graduating from UST last year with a BA in Mathematics, Michael moved to Golden, Colorado to attend the Colorado School of Mines. He will graduate in May 2007 with a MS in Mathematics. He is currently involved in a teaching fellowship, where he teaches, develops and implements hands-on activities at local middle schools. “I believe the attitude of service and community fostered at UST played a crucial role in my decision to participate in this program.”
With all that he does, it’s hard to imagine Michael would have any free time, but when his schedule does permit it, he likes to skateboard and play Rugby, or, now that he’s right at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, snowboard, hike and camp on the mountains. “The Rocky Mountains are tremendous!”
Looking to the future, Michael hopes to “apply my problem solving and programming skills working in industry. I would eventually like to teach computer science at a high school and be involved in a computer science club at the high school.”
Some comments he’d like to leave with the current Honors classes? “One thing I have noticed about Honors alumni is that they all have a passion for life and service no matter where their particular interest may be. In my Honors class we had such a variety of personalities and backgrounds, and we were still able to accomplish a lot and work together. Honors students really care about their studies and they also really care about people.”
To prospective students, Michael had this to say, “The Honors Program is awesome and I would recommend the opportunity to anyone who values the question, ‘Who am I, why am I here and where am I going?’” |
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