Honors Program recognizes noted students each semester

Every semester the Honors Program invites qualified college students, especially incoming freshmen, to participate in discussion classes and a social organization, Eta Sigma Alpha.

“The Honors Program is for highly motivated students who value and want to be challenged by an exceptional education in the liberal arts. Students benefit immensely from being a part of a learning community of teachers and students where an open exchange of ideas is commonplace and the value of many disciplines is appreciated,” said Doris Moody, director of Honors Program. “Teachers who teach in the Honors Program do so because of their dedication to teaching and their commitment to scholarship. Because the Honors Program extends beyond the classroom, extracurricular activities and service learning are an important part of learning.”

The program requires incoming freshmen to have a high school GPA of 3.3 and combined SAT score of 1200 or ACT of 26, a letter of recommendation from high school teacher or counselor along with short essay stating why they would like to participate in the program. A selection committee reviews the applications and notifies applicants of their status. The program admits no more than 35 students each year. Currently enrolled students must have a 3.3 GPA after 30 semester hours of regular university courses to qualify for the program.

According to the program booklet, the program is “an integrated program of learning that provides an enriched academic experience for students with proven academic strength and personal commitment.”

“Students complete the Honors Program with a greater knowledge of themselves and what they think, an appreciation and respect for the ideas and thoughts of others and the ability to write and speak more effectively,” said Moody. “The small group discussions that characterize the Honors Program enable students to interact more extensively with faculty and their fellow students, leading to better understanding of each other and often, to lifelong friendships.”

Along with the Honors Program, students participate in Eta Sigma Alpha.

“Eta Sigma Alpha is the social organization for the honors students,” said Dilanka Seimon, president of Eta Sigma Alpha. “Our mandate is to promote the visibility of the honors program throughout the campus and create an identity for the honors students.”

“Eta Sigma Alpha is the social arm of the Honors Program,” said Moody. “Students learn to work together, to be team players and to organize parties, meetings, trips to Atlanta and other activities. Honors students play as enthusiastically as they learn.”

During this semester, Eta Sigma Alpha has had meetings, a pool party, a doughnut sale, an ice cream social, a trip to Atlanta and a table talk with professor and a party.

“I have met some very interesting people, and I got the opportunity to travel to many conferences and was able to build strong relationships with some of the best professors in the university through the honors program,” said Seimon. “More importantly through the honors classes and my scholars’ projects, I’ve had the most amazing intellectually-enhancing experience.”

“You get out of an organization like Eta Sigma Alpha what you put into it,” said Mike Madison, freshman representative. “For me, it has been a very good experience and provided a lot of opportunities for learning new things and meeting new people. I think it helps me to get involved at Georgia College.”

Members of the Honors Program must complete two three-hour seminars, one fall semester and one spring semester seminar, during their first and second years of university classes, maintain B average for honors seminars, maintain a 3.3 cumulative average to remain in the program, be active in Eta Sigma Alpha and remain in good standing in this organization through the accumulation of seven points each semester according to the organization’s point system and participate in a study abroad program (recommended).

The purpose of this program is “to offer GC&SU’s best students the very best learning opportunities with the very best faculty, in a climate of open minds and close intellectual community,” said Rob Viau, assistant director of the Honors Program.

According to Viau, the program offers “intellectual, moral, cultural, and social enrichment.” It features “inspiring opportunities to learn and grow and opportunities to become transformed through travel and study abroad.”

This program also features another branch for upper class students, the Scholars Program. The Scholars Program requires students to have a 3.5 cumulative GPA on the first 60 hours of college courses. This program is open to all students, including transfer students and students who have not completed the Honors Program. Students must complete six semester hours of scholars work, and study abroad recommended if not completed during honors program.

If you are interested in these programs, please contact Director Dr. Doris Moody at 445-4025.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 6 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry