Dr. Rhonda Matthews, the director of Edinboro University's Robert C, Weber Honors Program, said the "best-suited student [for the program] doesn't even know" that the honors program is right for them. Students that the honors program looks for, Matthew said, "are not satisfied with one thing, they look for connections…[and are] intrigued."
In the past, the program has been designed around incoming freshman with a high school GPA of 3.5, minimum SAT of 1100, an ACT of 25, or to be in the top 15 percent of their graduating class. Now, in addition to freshman, students with at least twelve hours of Edinboro University credit and a 3.3 GPA may also join the program.
Students in the honors program have the opportunity to dedicate themselves to a topic within their major by completing a required senior thesis.
"The senior thesis allows a student to create an original piece of research," stated Matthews, "giving them an independent opportunity."
A senior thesis is a great way for students to explore their field of interest outside the classroom and it allows students to have more experience in research, which may be helpful when applying to graduate schools.
Along with the required senior thesis, each semester students are required to take a three credit hour honors class. These honors classes usually have fewer students, allowing a seminar-based discussion. This creates a challenging and rewarding experience, increasing interaction between students and professors.
It seems with every organization there is required community service; Matthews doesn't look at community interaction as a duty, but rather an opportunity for students to engage with the community on and off campus.
Some of the volunteer opportunities that students have participated in include: Random Acts of Kindness in Edinboro (R.A.K.E.), tutoring at the Writing Center and designing brochures for the honors program.
Since honor students go above and beyond the normal workload of an undergraduate student, honor students reap the benefits.
Chosen students within the program are eligible to travel abroad free of charge. This past summer two students from Edinboro University, along with other students from other Pennsylvania state schools, traveled to Brussels, Belgium and NATO. In 2010, the destination is Egypt and in 2011 it may be Bermuda.
Honor students receive further benefits, such as the ability to schedule for classes earlier in the semester and the privilege to check out library books longer than other undergraduate students. These benefits definitely come in handy when writing a senior thesis or making sure the honors classes fit your schedule.
Students who complete the honors program have dedicated themselves to rigorous study and have used this program as a transition from undergraduate work to their future after college or have used the opportunity to prepare themselves for further education in graduate school.
"Students enhance their education by their educational experience," Matthews said.
Students in Edinboro University's Honors Program leave with experience that have prepared them for their future and which will stay with them for life.
For further information about Edinboro University's Honors Program, check out the honors Web site at http://departments.edinboro.edu/honors/ or contact Dr. Rhonda Matthews at ramatthews@edinboro.edu.
Be the first to comment on this article!