Honors College

The Honors College provides a range of interdisciplinary opportunities for students who show promise of outstanding academic achievement. The Honors College also offers opportunities for faculty development in curricular innovation, study abroad, and teaching enhancement. Please contact the Dean or Associate Dean if you are interested in Honors teaching. Summer development funds are available to prepare for Honors core courses.

HONORS CURRICULUM

Honors 100: peer mentoring class for new freshmen
Symposium in Contemporary Civilization: focuses on contemporary issues, family history and the growth of values in society
Symposium in Global Studies: focuses on the culture of non-Western societies
Symposium in Science: focuses on critical scientific issues affecting contemporary society
Three course sequence in the Humanities: studies great books/great ideas from literature, philosophy, history, science, and the fine arts, tracing Western thought from ancient civilizations into the present
Two colloquia which are special topic courses presented in a seminar-style format

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Completion of curriculum
Senior Thesis or Creative Project
Must graduate with a cumulative grade point average of 3.33

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS

Requirements designed by the individual major department (contact the Honors College and your department coordinator)

STUDENTS

Approximately 1,200 outstanding undergraduates
Students are reviewed for admission based on adjusted GPA and standardized test scores (averages = 3.85 GPA,1890 SAT, 28 ACT)

HOUSING

Johnson Residence Halls-Botsford/Swinford and Schmidt/Wilson for freshmen
Informal meetings, lectures, and discussions.

STUDENT HONORS COUNCIL

Represents the diverse interests of the students in the college
Brings concerns, interests, and desires of the students to the Dean
Arranges seminars by Honors College faculty, students, alumni, friends, or visiting dignitaries; sponsors "Honors Week"
Coordinates student attendance at Mid-East Honors Association and National Collegiate Honors Council meetings
Selects the VanderHill Award winner (outstanding Honors faculty member)
Coordinates selection of the Provost's Prize winner (outstanding graduating senior)

PUBLICATIONS

News and Notes, a newsletter featuring Honors College programs, instructors, students, overseas activities, and other unusual or special topics; published three times per year
Odyssey, an annual scholarly journal featuring students' research articles, fiction, poetry, art, and photography
Distributed to students, faculty, alumni, and other Honors programs

UNDERGRADUATE FELLOWS PROGRAM

Honors College students with at least sophomore status and a GPA of 3.33

Work with faculty on research or creative projects
Stipend of $1048 per semester
Often leads to Honors theses

STUDY ABROAD

Semester programs at Keele University, England, and Limerick University, Ireland; 10-12 students
Field study programs in such countries as England, France,Italy and Vietnam

SCHOLARSHIPS

Presidential Scholarship, 50 percent of tuition (most Honors admits)
Whitinger Scholars Program, full fees, room and board
Honors College Honors Distinction Scholars, full tuition
Dr. T.M. Anderson Scholarship Program, Presidential Scholarship plus $3500 per year
The Honors College coordinates university efforts to identify mentors and nominated students for major competitive scholarships, such as the Goldwater, Marshall, Truman, and Rhodes.