The Dara Knot, or Oak Tree knot, is a Celtic knot which symbolizes strength and wisdom.

Any Honors Program student may nominate a faculty or staff member who has worked with them on an Honors Program related project (Off-campus, Honors thesis, contract or affiliate course, etc.) and fulfilled one or more of the below criteria:

• Has gone above and beyond the call of duty
• Inspired you
• Was there for you at a difficult time
• Gave you extra help along the way
• Has somehow made a lasting impression

Since this is recognition and not an award, all nominees will receive an electronic certificate bearing the Dara Knot along with the short explanation of why they were nominated.

Winter 2026 Recipients: 

• Terrance Horgan – Myron and Margaret Winegarden Professor and Professor of Psychology
• Maureen Thum – Collegiate Lecturer and Lecturer IV in English

Fall 2025 Recipients:

• Toko Oshio, Education
• Jeffrey Yackley, Computer Science

Winter 2025 Recipients:

• Toko Oshio, Education

Fall 2024 Recipients

• Melissa Sreckovic, Education and Honors Program Mohamad Daassa, Foreign Language and History
• Jeffrey Yackley, Computer Science
• Gregory Laurence, Management

Winter 2024 Recipients:

• Bob Barnett, English
• Nicole Yambrick, Biology

Fall 2023 Recipients

• Jennifer Alvey, Anthropology and Women’s and Gender Studies
• Mohamad Daassa, Foreign Language and History Shan Parker, Health Education