Each April classes are cancelled for one afternoon in order for the UVM community to enjoy a magnificent event. No, not the first sunny, seventy degree day, but rather something far more noble and worthy of class cancellation — Honors Day!

Honors Day was held on April 21, 2006 in the Music Recital Hall on the UVM campus. By all accounts it was the highlight of the academic year. Graduating seniors from across the campus were individually honored by faculty and deans for their outstanding academic contributions. Associate Dean Joel Goldberg made welcoming remarks and then introduced Dean Eleanor Miller, who presided over the event.

Over 100 seniors were presented with gifts and good wishes for future academic and intellectual pursuits by the chairs of Arts and Sciences departments. In addition to the departmental awards, seniors who were elected to Phi Beta Kappa and those completing college honors were also honored.

Professor Z. Philip Ambrose, Chair of the Classics Department, made closing remarks to the wide-eyed students and their very proud parents. His remarks, which follow, certainly captured the heart of the celebration.

Professor Ambrose's closing remarks:

I have not the slightest doubt why Dean Miller, no mean Latinist our Dean Miller, asked me to address you today. For what is today? April 21 = XI. Kal. Maias, the Parilia or Palilia, the Festival of the shepherds' goddess Pales, the Birthday of Rome on 753 B.C., honored on the day the first walls of Rome were established under Romulus.

So from the Roman perspective, what is Honor? Of unknown etymology, Latin honos, honoris means "praise/distinction, especially the distinction of holding public office." People who did and do so were thought and even addressed as "honorable." Perhaps because at UVM they had indeed followed Horace's urging to the young law student Lollius Maximus in Epistles 1. 2. 36: "If you don't call for a book and a lamp before the break of day and apply your mind to honest studies and matters (si non/ intendes animum studiis et rebus honestis), you'll twist in envy --- or lust ---- and still not sleep!"

Fifteen years ago, Priscilla Throop, class of 1991, was honored on this stage for outstanding work in Greek and Latin. She has recently published her translation of the Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (7th century A.D.). Isidore notes that another Latin word, onus, oneris "burden," was sometimes spelt honos, to make a false etymological pun with honos "honor/praise/office." What is the origin of the word office? From Latin officium "obligation/service/duty/work." And by the way, let us not fail to thank the faithful stewards in the Dean's Office who have arranged for today's happy occasion. But you are the students who will best understand the direction of my pun-fun: for none of you, honored today, would have received today's bonus without the onus, the "burden" demanded of the honorable.

We congratulate you all, indeed we are honored to do so, and know that you will not exonerate yourselves from the obligation of continued labor in the service of studiis and rebus honestis. Valete!

For additional information about Honors Day and the awardees please click here.