The mission of the University Honors Program is to help academically gifted students achieve their fullest intellectual potential, preparing them to be leaders in a world acutely in need of their talents.
Important Honors Dates
Fall Semester
- The Meredith-Donovan Lecture; Honors Dinner at the President's House
- September: Honors Brunch for First-Year Students (during FamilyFest)
- October 1: Progress Reports due for Senior Honors Projects
- November: Senior Honors Presentations for December Graduates
- January 19: Full First Drafts of Senior Honors Projects Due
Spring Semester
- Honors Dinner at the President's House
- Feburary 15: Juniors have secured a Mentor for their Senior Honors Project
- March 15: Juniors submit their Senior Honors Project
- April: Seniors present their Honors Projects at SPARC; Honors Banquet
- May: Final Drafts of the Senior Honors Projects are Due; Juniors meet with their mentors to discuss Summer reading and research
Year-Long
- Honors trips and enrichment led by faculty; social events planned by the Honors GA and Honors Students (let us know what you'd like to do!)
University Honors Program Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
The University Honors Program Policies, Procedures and Guidelines detail the requirements that must be met in order for students to remain members of the Honors Program in good standing and the policies governing the various aspects of the program.
Honors Student Research Project
Every Honors student's experience culminates with a senior research/thesis project. This project begins during the spring semester of the junior year, giving students 18 to 20 months to formulate and thoroughly investigate their research question or identify and develop their thesis. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor from within his/her major. If the project is interdisciplinary, then the student works closely with two mentors across the disciplines. Students' senior projects often lead to a powerful transition to graduate school or to a profession. The hard work of our Senior Honors Scholars is showcased in our two day University Scholarship Festival called the SPARC Festival.
Internships
One of the best ways to flesh out your résumé is to complete an internship either on campus or off campus. Internships can be during the academic year or summer, for credit or not for credit, paid or volunteer. Very often these internships lead to a job after graduation.To help you find an internship, the Honors Office has compiled a list of internship opportunities that is updated regularly.
Conference and Research Presentation Opportunities
The Conference of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship offers students the opportunity to showcase their work and learn about the work of others, while networking with peers at other institutions.