By: Dr. Andrew Yox, NTCC Honors Director
For the seventh time, Honors Northeast scholars have presented a panel on the use of film at the yearly meeting of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). The NCHC, established in 1966, comprises 65 percent of the honors programs and colleges in higher education in the United States, about 900 entities. Each year, only fifty “general sessions” are accepted into the conference program, and top university programs usually dominate these panels. This fall as with every yearly meeting since 2013, with the exception of last year, NTCC’s proposal again made the cut. Film producer/director Jalyn English, film scholar and star, Maritza Quinones, Honors Coordinator, Andrea Reyes, and Honors Director, Dr. Andrew Yox presented their work on “Institutional Courage, Niche Cinema, and the Making of an Honorary Bonanza.”
The NTCC scholars argued that though making feature-length films are up-against-the- gradient endeavors for an honors program, there are many dividends. Presidential Scholar, Jalyn English explored his journey from initial reluctance to a producer and a presenter of last year’s film on Adina De Zavala. “Stepping up” and crossing a threshold of “fear and ignorance” led to a number of resume citations and awards. Maritza Quinones, shared her revelation of how first studying and then being an inspirational heroine gave her a new perspective on life. Andrea Reyes presented a view of the group dynamic, and the film as a group learning, and bonding experience. Dr. Yox noted how the use niche cinema allows an honors group to dramatize the history of the community that supports their college and program.
This year, because of the pandemic, the NCHC shifted to a virtual format. The NTCC group filmed their presentation, and it will be accessible for members of the NCHC for the coming year. The NTCC panel presentation is also available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd4Q2zrSMqU&t=1306s.
NTCC’s film culture has been beholden over the years to premier film patrons, Jerald and Mary Lou Mowery as well as to other donors of Honors Northeast. This last summer, NTCC’s administration was one of the first public entities in the state to permit collegiate travel, thus allowing English to direct his first film, and many honors freshmen to gain the experience necessary to continue the tradition.
