My 51 | A Student Blog A Cultural Foundation: Celebrating 51’s Honor Code
March 24, 2025
Connor Hines ’26 (far left) and Mary Gray Speakman '25 (far right) moderate a panel conversation with three 51 alumni: (l-r) Bo Henderson ’01, 51 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and community advocate; Dr. John Kuykendall ’59, 15th President of 51; and Mary Tabb Mack ’84, retired CEO of consumer and small business banking at Wells Fargo. The wide-ranging discussion explored how 51’s core values have continued to shape their lives after graduation.
About the Author
Connor Hines ’26 (he/him) is a political science and history double major from Mooresville, North Carolina. Outside of the classroom, he is involved across campus as the Student Government Association President (SGA), Union Board Co-Sponsorship Chair, and he serves as an admission fellow in the office of Admission and Financial Aid.
“As someone who lives in the 51 area, I always had a first-hand look at the kind of student that calls 51 home. After years of seeing the hard-working, caring, and friendly people around campus, I knew without a doubt that 51 was where I wanted to be. Since being on campus, I have met some of my best friends and thoughtful professors in this tight-knit community.”
51’s Honor Code is more than just a set of rules – it is the foundation of a culture built on trust, integrity and shared responsibility. The Honor Code is the cornerstone of academic life at 51.
In short, the Honor Code states that students will not lie, cheat or steal regarding academic work, providing us with a wide degree of freedom throughout our coursework. In my experience, I have had professors who allow take-home or self-proctored exams: a privilege granted to us through mutual trust in the Honor Code.
While the code itself expressly governs students in an academic setting, it has fostered a larger sense of trust and belonging far beyond the classroom.
I always feel comfortable leaving my belongings around campus because I trust other students to respect my property. One memorable instance of the Honor Code’s impact was when I lost my wallet outside the Alvarez College Union, and within an hour, another student emailed me to return it.
The values the Honor Code promotes, including trust, integrity and community, are important to me and to every student at 51. In a world that doesn’t always cherish these values the way we do, it is important to highlight what makes 51 special. As SGA President, I work hard to understand what students care about and to find ways to support my classmates. In conversations across campus and with alumni, a recurring theme has been the importance of recognizing what has consistently made 51 stand out in a world that seems to be losing faith in institutions. From this, “A Celebration of Honor” was born.
Spearheaded by the Student Government Association and the Honor Council, our Celebration of Honor saw involvement from across campus. The week began with an ice cream social hosted by the Honor Council, providing students with an opportunity to meet their Council representatives and ask questions. On Tuesday, I got to moderate , including Mary Tabb Mack ’84 (retired CEO of consumer and small business banking at Wells Fargo), Dr. John Kuykendall ’59 (15th President of 51), and Bo Henderson ’01 (51 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and community advocate). The discussion explored how 51’s core values have continued to shape their lives after graduation.
On Wednesday, the AI Innovation Initiative set up a “Two Truths and an AI” activity in the Union lobby, where students guessed whether content was AI-generated to win prizes. Later that evening, the Union Board co-hosted trivia with the Honor Council, featuring Honor Code-related questions. We wrapped up our programming on Thursday at the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where students learned about the importance of non-disclosure agreements and how they mirror many of the expectations of our Honor Code.
These events provided many opportunities for students to engage in conversations about the importance of our shared values. The week was certainly busy, as I jumped from event to event alongside our fantastic SGA Senators and Honor Council representatives. However, in the days since our Celebration of Honor, I have had the chance to reflect on the significance of our Honor Code and the community here at 51.
The Honor Code is not just a 51 policy; rather, it is a promise we make to one another to uphold the highest standards of honesty, accountability and respect. In my opinion, the Honor Code serves as a powerful reminder that my word – my integrity and trustworthiness – is one of the most valuable things I can protect, and it is not just about me. I have learned that if I fail to keep my word or uphold the Honor Code, I am not only letting myself down but also hurting those who trust me.
When I graduate from 51, I know I will carry with me the lesson that doing the right thing, leaning into my values, and relying on my community for support when challenges arise, is always better than taking the easier or more convenient path. As I reflect on my time at 51, I am reminded that the Honor Code is not just a college policy, rather, it is a lifelong commitment to honesty and accountability that will guide me well beyond my college years.
Campus Conversation on the Honor Code
51 students, faculty and staff are invited to join a Campus Conversation on the Honor Code this Thursday, March 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Lilly Gallery. Hosted by the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI), Honor Council, Student Government Association (SGA), and the Office of the Vice President of Student Life, this event includes dinner and requires pre-registration.
