Honors College guides student to OSU

OSU student Mallary Paoli Whether Mallary Paoli '12 is in class, studying in the library, or relaxing in the Memorial Union, the University Honors College student is often accompanied by another student — of the four-legged variety. Mallary is a respite volunteer for local puppy raisers, helping to provide obedience training for puppies before they go on to become service dogs.

"We want to expose them to as many different settings as possible — different smells, different noises, and large groups of people," she says.

Mallary has trained puppies since she was 9 years old, inspired by the experience of her younger brother, who is visually impaired. Her lifelong dream: to become a guide dog mobility instructor, a professional dog trainer who also teaches blind and visually impaired people how to work with guide dogs.

From her home in Nevada, Mallary carefully considered what college program would best prepare her for this specialized career. She was impressed with OSU's nationally prominent College of Agricultural Sciences and its Animal Sciences department, which includes a unique track in Animal Behavior and Bioethics. In addition to this major she is also pursuing a minor in psychology, gaining insights that will help her work with clients who are going through a big life change.

The other factor that led Mallary to choose OSU was the University Honors College (UHC). The highly competitive program for top undergraduate students offers small colloquium classes and close mentoring relationships with some of OSU's most talented faculty.

"Having classes with just 10 to 12 students is such a different environment, and makes for a tight-knit group," Mallary says. "We've had incredible discussions."

One of Mallary's Honors College courses was "God, Pain, and Problem of Evil" taught by Gary Ferngren, a professor in the Department of History. Ferngren is one of the college's 2011 Eminent Professors: an award supported by gifts to the UHC unrestricted fund.

Gifts to the college also help finance students' thesis research, events, guest speakers, the Honors Envoy ambassadors, and programs such as the book clubs led by professors during spring break.

"Flexible-use gifts are an essential part of the programs and small community atmosphere which make the Honors College such an enriching experience for students like Mallary," says UHC Dean Dan Arp. "It's exciting to see highly motivated and high achieving students like her being drawn to Oregon State."

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