Curious what the Honors Program professional staff are listening to lately? The Honors Staff Playlist features a rotating selection of songs currently on repeat for our team. The playlist will be updated monthly with new picks, offering a glimpse into the tastes and personalities of the people who help support the Honors community every day. Give it a listen, discover something new, and check back throughout the semester to see what we’ve added.

Dr. Shaun Vecera

"I’m currently listening to just about anything by The Replacements. My first ‘Mats album was Pleased to Meet Me, and for the uninitiated, the song they might have heard of is Can’t Hardly Wait. The video is famously… we’ll say ‘sparse.’ Left of the Dial is a track that might be more representative of the ‘Mats sound (and their early, sparse video style).

Fun fact: The Replacements are one of only 8 acts who are banned from ever again performing on SNL. They’re in good company, though. Other banned acts include Rage Against the Machine, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, and Sinead O’Connor.."

Dr. Emily D. Hill

"When I hear this song, I'm transported back to the summer right after I graduate from college. My friends and I would throw dance parties, and this synth-pop song was definitely in the iPod Shuffle mix. Juxtaposed with its wistful lyrics, this song was the perfect soundtrack to a summer that felt like the last moment to soak up some childhood freedom before my friends and I faced real adulthood."

Holly Blosser Yoder

"I love the more well-known version of this by the Lovin’ Spoonful too, but  it’s got a frantic pace. The Quincy Jones version—which is mainly instrumental with just a sampling of the lyrics—gives that warm, relaxed feeling that makes summer special."

Dr. Candice Wuehle

"I'm hoping if we all wish hard enough, we'll get a Charli summer even greater and neon greener than the legendary Brat summer."

Mark Archibald

Maddie Kramer

"As we face transition between seasons, it's a nice little reminder to lean on support systems and the people, places, and moments that bring us joy and feel like home. Everything about this song makes me want to roll my windows down and drive down the gravel road toward my parents' house."

Veronica Sanchez

"The melancholy warmth of this song is what summer sounds like to me."