Online Journal for Student Work to be Published

Student work at Illinois State University will now be published in an online journal. The Honors Program at Illinois State is launching the yearly publication Orbit, beginning in fall 2010. This is in many ways a re-launch as Orbit used to exist in hard copy several years ago.

Director of the Honors Program Kim Pereira emphasized the opportunity for students. "This will be an interesting vehicle for students to get their work published," Pereira said. "Many faculty members remember Orbit from its earlier days as a good way to encourage undergraduate research and writing, and also as an opportunity to mentor students and help them become professional writers," he added.

Submissions for the journal include research articles, poems, plays, general articles on various disciplines and podcasts. The initial deadline for submissions is March 1, 2010.

An editorial board comprised of Illinois State faculty from different disciplines will help screen the submissions and co-opt the services of other faculty to help honors students polish their work for publication. Those with submissions should contact editors of the respective areas Lane Crothers (social sciences), Ann Haugo (fine arts), Brenda Jeffers (nursing), Craig McLachlan (sciences), Jacqueline Romano (education), Peter Smith (applied sciences), Steven Taylor (business) and Curt White (humanities).

College of Arts and Science Computer Support Specialist Sarah Walczynski designed the website and senior English major Becky Straple (Honors), junior information systems major Jordan Thompson (Honors) and junior art major Ben Wiegel assisted.

"We are fortunate to have Sarah help us with this project," said Pereira. "Her enthusiasm for the project was infectious. We are also gratified by the willingness of faculty to serve as editors and we know that other faculty will encourage their honors students to get more involved."