George F. Whitworth Honors Program

Thriving in the world as it is.

Developing the world as it should be.

The Whitworth Honors Program challenges talented and motivated scholars to pursue excellence of mind and heart, to cultivate leadership qualities and skills, and to commit to lives of service. The honors program does more than guide scholars to navigate the world as it is; it equips them to solve problems and to develop the world as it should be.

Featured News:

Madalyn Dotson

In September of 2025, youth and Gen-Z individuals in Nepal overthrew their corrupt government through a series of protests and riots. They voted for their interim prime minister through Discord, and throughout the protests, the world saw Gen-Z laughing and joking their way through a major historical event. Gen-Z has been nicknamed the “unserious generation”, but in Nepal they also led the movement that led to a significant change in government. This begs the question of how this will inspire other Gen-Z protestors and activists across the world. How does Gen-Z view violence as an actor for change? Do they use humor as a tool, strategy, or a way to cope? How necessary is humor for Gen-Z’s activism? In my academic project, I explored these questions by looking at a variety of examples all over the world, with a focus on Nepal. As someone who is Gen Z, loves memes and humor, and is interested in political activism, I think that this project is important to see how young people are actively changing the world around them.

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April 29, 2026

Claire Tolo

Students with disabilities (SWD) make up 17-19% of the student population in higher education institutions. However, research focused on them accounts for only 1% of papers published in education journals. Furthermore, disabled students are less likely to enroll in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) courses compared to their abled peers. Researchers have posited that this may be due to both physical barriers, such as inaccessible laboratories, and cultural ones, like negative experiences with peers and faculty. So what can universities do to improve the landscape of their STEM cohorts to make them more equitable and inclusive for students with disabilities? Existing research has suggested a variety of solutions, ranging from implementing Universal Design Learning (UDL) to purchasing specialized lab equipment. But there does not yet exist a compilation of the current recommendations for interventions and best practice for improving equity and accessibility in STEM departments. In this project, I will examine the specific challenges faced by SWD in the classroom and laboratory, interventions to improve challenges faced, and practical suggestions institutions can utilize to effectively implement the interventions in their STEM programs.

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April 29, 2026

Chloe Stelly

Since going through the Education Department here at Whitworth, I have become increasingly interested in the academic achievement of our students here in Washinton. Education has changed so drastically over the years, and the hope is that we are still meeting the needs of our students in an ever-shifting society. Since Covid, state testing has dropped and has continued to do so which raises concern; how can our children get the best education when standards are so demanding? Is the education we are providing right now the education our students need? I wanted to study the effects that state standards have on primary children and whether or not an increase in academic performance is happening in our schools. The reason for this project is to study the impact of our state standards on the growth and development of our students.

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April 29, 2026
The Honors Program is designed for talented and motivated students to get even more out of their academic experience. We want them to be part of a culture that dreams big and does the hard work to get there. We have great students, and we strive to offer a program built on both aspiration and perspiration. The value comes in the process by which we pursue world-changing achievements.