October 01, 2013
Liberal Arts Honors Program ‘Up Close’: Michael Woody ’77 & ’83G
Michael Woody ’77 & ’83G and fellow officers of the Liberal Arts Honors Program Leadership Council have laid the foundation to achieve goals that will take the program experience to the next level.
“We’re very focused on creating a student experience that, in terms of the liberal arts, is world class,” said Woody, who recently succeeded John J. Partridge, Esq. ’61 & ’11Hon., as council chair.
In January, Dr. Darra D. Mulderry, assistant professor of history, will begin advising honors students who are applying for research grants such as Rhodes Scholarships.
Also, the council will create a mentoring program that will pair students with honors alumni. Grants would offset the students’ travel and housing costs while shadowing the graduates.
In addition, the council is planning a premier academic conference to be held every three years that will address topics covered in the honors program. The first is scheduled for the 2016-17 academic year, in conjunction with PC’s centennial celebration. “We want this to be the hallmark academic event at the College,” Woody said.
“These three goals, we think, will be great recruiting tools for the program,” he added.
The council has decided to use revenue from the program’s endowed Thomson Fund to underwrite these new initiatives and to create a new Liberal Arts Honors Annual Fund to raise money for recurring expenses such as the program’s yearly convocation, field trips to destinations such as the Trinity Repertory Company, and the Rodney Delasanta Honors Lecture.
Woody is a strong proponent of the liberal arts, especially the smaller class sizes and seminar approach of the honors program. The ability to argue and defend your position, which he learned in the program, is a valuable business skill, he said. “I’ve never seen a business decision made in a lecture hall environment.”
“A liberal arts education is a rock-solid foundation for just about any career you choose,” he said.
Profile
- Degrees: B.A., English, summa cum laude; M.B.A.
- Position: President, founder of International Marketing Advantages, Inc., a Providence consulting firm
- Achievements: PC’s Dr. William McDonnell Award for volunteer service; National Alumni Association president in 2007-08
- Married to: Joanne Speroni-Woody ’76
