December 20, 2017

Dear Selection Committee:

Please accept this recommendation on behalf of Elizabeth Bair. I have known Liz in my capacity as Director
of the University Honors Program at the University of Northern Iowa since she entered as a first-year student
in the fall of 2015.

Liz’s involvement in the University Honors Program says a lot about her drive and work ethic. The high-ability
students in our program opt to take specialized sections of honors courses that focus on student interaction
and initiative, resulting in a challenging and stimulating classroom environment. I provide these details about
our program’s structure to represent the kind of learner Liz is. During her time in our program, she has
participated in a variety of honors courses that required her to think critically and deeply about a variety of
subjects, as well as demonstrate an understanding of the material in both written and oral form. Through all
of her honors experiences, Liz demonstrated that she is a self-directed learner who produces high-quality
work.

Upon her graduation, Liz will earn the designation of University Honors. This designation indicates
completion of at least 18 credit hours of honors-level coursework including the honors thesis she will finish
this spring. Her thesis, “¿ Quién Soy Yo?: College Student Language Learners' Expressions of and Experiences
with Identity in the Context of Culture,” is a fascinating examination of how college students express personal
identities. It is worth noting that the thesis is not required as part of her degree, but goes above and beyond
traditional undergraduate requirements. Through this and other honors coursework, Liz has shown that she
values academic rigor. This appreciation for rigor is an important characteristic for our next generation of
educators and is one of the reasons I am confident in Liz’s choice to enter the field of teaching.

Liz was a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, our institution’s most prestigious award for meritorious
students. Recipients are selected not only for their outstanding academic records, but also their history of
service and their potential for leadership at the collegiate level. Liz has demonstrated leadership abilities in a
variety of campus settings over the last several years. I had an opportunity to witness her in action during
my 2016-17 yearlong Presidential Scholars think tank course that charged students with identifying and
addressing a problem in our local community. Liz’s team worked to combat the literacy gap by getting books
into the hands of children who have little access to materials. Throughout the project, Liz showed the ability
to work independently and follow through on commitments. Demonstration of these traits at the
undergraduate level bodes well for her professional capabilities as an educator.

Liz approaches everything she does with a sense of calm and competency. I believe she will make meaningful
contributions to the school district that is lucky enough to make her part of their community. I am pleased to
provide my recommendation on her behalf.

Sincerely,

Jessica Moon, Ph.D.

Director, University Honors Program
University of Northern Iowa