By MEGAN FOLK/Contributor
A small gathering celebrated the completion of the Honors College mural on Sept. 4 between Stewart Hall and the HPR Building.
The mural is located in the hallway outside HPR 135. The artist, Hayley Jasper, is a senior in the Honors College graduating this semester with a double major in criminal justice and psychology. Jasper was the Honors team’s first choice to paint the mural. She consulted with colleagues, designed and painted the mural over 11 months.
Jasper spoke of what the Honors College has done for her and her fiancé. She spoke about how it felt amazing to give back and create the mural.
She said every element depicted in the mural carries meaning or symbolism related to Honors College. Honors College students, staff and faculty helped suggest the books depicted on the mural.
Jasper designed the mural so that everyone felt represented and had a home at Honors College.
“Because that’s what it is,” Jasper said, “our home away from home.”
The teacup in the mural represents the Honors College’s use of tea and coffee as social elements. The bust of Aristotle symbolizes the huge impact Aristotle has on the Honors College application process since the application essay is based on an Aristotle quote. The last symbolic element Jasper mentioned is a burning wax candle. This is symbolic of the scholars Honor College students study in their World Text and Image classes.
“The metal on the candle is patinated, to show that this concept of enlightenment has been passed down from generation to generation. That the oil on our hands and the knowledge we share, it wears on the candle. But it improves it,” Jasper said.
The president of UT Tyler, Dr. Julie Philley, and the dean of the Honors Colleges, Dr. Paul Streufert, also spoke.
On her first week as president, Dr. Philley shared that she saw Jasper working on the mural while walking through the Honors College building. The mural inspired her, and she consistently inspected its progress.
As the mural neared completion, Dr. Philley revealed that she was contacted to suggest a book to be featured. Dr. Philley chose “The Scarlet Letter,” citing its significant influence on her since high school.
Philley thanked the Honors College for making a difference and Hayley for bringing life into the campus.
Streufert said Honors started in January 2009 with 20 students and became Honors College in January 2023. Streufert said he hopes it will have 300 students by fall of 2025.
Conversation is the foundation of Honors, Streufert said, “That’s why our classes are built the way they are, that’s why we choose our faculty and our students with such great care—because we want people who will talk and have things to talk about.”
