Honors programs and colleges were largely started at big research universities in order to provide students with all the advantages of a small liberal arts college experience: students get to know their professors in smaller classes; they are guided through an enriching general education curriculum that connects dots across their learning; they learn from one another in more intimate and more dynamic ways. Whitworth is a small liberal arts university, and we are already providing these opportunities to all of our students. So what should a small liberal arts university like Whitworth do with an Honors Program? In my mind, we should provide the culture, the resources, and the opportunities that are available at prestigious research universities. We want to have a culture of excellence in which students expect to achieve at the highest levels in school and after. That means offering the resources that allow students to go deeper in the areas of studies, the promote more general education courses that integrate learning across disciplines, that integrate high-impact practices into all that we do. We want to push students into the exciting life of research opportunities and to guide them through the publication of their findings in conferences, poster presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. We want students to develop competitive applications for prestigious fellowships and awards like Rhodes Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarships, NSF and Lilly Foundation grants, and Fulbright Fellowships. We want students to win dynamic internships and off-campus program experiences. We might not have every resource that a big research university can offer, but the Honors Program endeavors to offer as many we can.

Why should students join the honors program?

• First, we have three required courses that make up 6 credits: HN-200H (Vocation and Excellence) and HN-300H (Community Practice), which are 1-credit courses designed for students to focus on their own academic and professional development and to look outward to serve their community. Students also take one of the three Core classes (4 credits) with an Honors discussion section. 
• Second, students should probably take two or three courses with an H-designation. They can also take some courses that don’t have an H-designation but can still be taken for Honors credit. We distribute a list of such courses before registration time each semester. (For more details, see answer to the next question.)
• Finally, students make up the last 3-6 credits with work on two of the following three areas: off-campus programs, internships, research/creative projects. 

To get credit in these areas, you’ll need to contact the Honors Director or Honors Assistant Director, who can point you to the paperwork and the requirements to earn this credit. There will be a little more work involved, but this work is designed to enrich your experiences. 

What are some of your favorite programs offered through the Whitworth Honors program?

Right now, the Smithsonian experiences are probably the best thing we have going in the Honors Program. Students are working at one of the premier academic and educational institutions in the country. (For more details, check out students stories on the Smithsonian blog: [link]). I’m personally invested in the HN-200H course, one in which I get to dream very big with students. It’s a lot of fun to have professors come in and talk about pursuing NSF grants, Fulbright Fellowships, and Rhodes Scholarships, and then preparing application materials that will one day be submitted for consideration for those prestigious awards. 

How do I enroll in the Honors program?

Students have a couple options. The most common route involves being admitted with Honors (which requires a 3.75 cumulative GPA and a 1320SAT / 28 ACT / 88 CLT). If students aren’t admitted with Honors but demonstrate their ability to perform well in classes—that is, earn a 3.75 GPA in their coursework at Whitworth—then they can apply to be in the Program at that point. All they need to do is contact the Director. 

Who should I contact with questions about Honors?

Feel free to contact me. You can also talk to other faculty members in Honors: Jason Wollschleger (Assistant Director), Erica Salkin (Faculty Fellow), and Aaron Putzke (Faculty Fellow). You can also talk to any of our student leaders.