On Saturday, Feb. 15, Guilford College held its first annual Scholarship Day. Previously known as Honors Day, Scholarship Day is inclusive of all the scholar programs on campus and it gives prospective students an opportunity to meet current members and advisors.
Programs this year included the Honors Program, Bonner Scholars, Quaker Leadership Scholars, Principled Problem-Solving Scholars and Multicultural Leadership Scholars. The new Director of the Honors Program, Jill Peterfeso, had a lot to share about her experiences from the weekend.
Stepping into the role at the beginning of the spring 2025 semester after longtime director Heather Hayton went on medical leave, Peterfeso acknowledged the responsibility that came with the position. Having taught multiple Honors courses since 2023, she was eager to take on the challenge of leading the program for the college.
“I wanted to support the college and my colleagues as best I can,” said Peterfeso.
Despite the gloomy weather, Peterfeso’s first Scholarship Day was a resounding success. She was impressed by how engaged the participants were.
“They were so nice and smart,” said Peterfeso. “And passionate about their academics.”
Looking ahead, Peterfeso hopes to foster a strong sense of connection among Honors students — even before they commit to Guilford. Along with Honors Ambassador Maeve Dunkerly, she plans to personally reach out to each participant.
“I want people to feel seen and valued, even if they choose not to come here,” said Peterfeso.
Though it wasn’t her first time attending the rebranded event, Dunkerly shared similar sentiments. “I thought Scholarship Day was a great success,” she said. “It was a great way for students to learn more about the opportunities on campus.”
Dunkerly thought the idea of bringing all the scholarship programs together was a brilliant logistical choice. The prospective students had some great questions and were well engaged with the panel of current students.
“I thought the event was well organized, and everyone was excited to meet with the [prospective] students,” said Dunkerly.
In the future Dunkerly hopes the Honors Program will offer more research opportunities, thesis support and internships.
Also echoing excitement from the weekend, senior intern Joel Banegas attended as a representative of the Bonner Program. According to the Guilford College website, Bonner students “attend monthly meetings that focus on service and community issues, as well as the productive accomplishments of their peers.”
Banegas joined the program as a freshman and attended Scholarship Day for the first time this year. He said he originally became a Bonner student to improve his leadership skills and connect with other schools to come up with programming ideas to improve the wider Greensboro community. Banegas was thrilled to share more about what the Bonner Program offers students, specifically highlighting the value of meeting new people.
By the end of the day, Banegas was left feeling incredibly hopeful for the future. Meeting with so many prospective students made him reflect on his journey with the Bonner Program. Banegas said the program helped him connect with other students on campus, especially when he was a freshman.
“You can find your place,” said Banegas, “[and] you become more familiar with other students since you’re always around each other.”
Banegas is confident that Scholarship Day will increase the number of Bonner students in coming years.
“They seemed really interested,” said Banegas. He also highlighted that the Bonner Program is for everyone, not just those interested in volunteer work. “I was able to see inspiration in these [incoming] students,” said Banegas.
When asked about the future of the Bonner Program, Banegas seemed nothing but hopeful. Prospective students are always drawn to one another, and there’s nothing they won’t be able to accomplish with the help of the scholarship programs available at Guilford.
The Guilfordian
The student news site of Guilford College
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