Honors College: Enhancing the Purdue experience
October 16, 2013
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Rhonda Phillips, dean of the Honors College, center, spends time with students during one of the college's weekly dinners. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
Purdue's Honors College welcomed its inaugural class from across the U.S. and beyond this semester. These top scholars are taking small, interactive classes with outstanding faculty and participating in multidisciplinary and community-engaged learning experiences.
Because the Honors College is Purdue's first residential college, they have the opportunity to develop together as a community of scholars. Living in multidisciplinary communities fosters collaborative spirit and individual growth.
The college's co-curricular, service-learning and other opportunities enhance the learning experience.
In short, these 555 freshmen and 150 sophomores and upperclassmen are the first to tread a new path that will take their education -- and their lives -- to new heights.
"The Honors College is supportive of, and provides supplements to, students' learning experiences in their degree major," says Rhonda Phillips, the Honors College's dean.
"The advantages the Honors College offers are threefold: We expose students to multidisciplinary academic concepts, we provide meaningful opportunities for community-engaged learning, and we provide the chance for students to enhance their learning experiences by studying abroad, studying elsewhere in the U.S., and pursuing national and international scholarships."
Students join the Honors College in tandem with their academic college and are required to take 24 credit hours of coursework, including 19 credit hours of elective honors courses. Five credit hours consist of interdisciplinary honors coursework, including a two-semester introductory course called "The Sustainability Project."
This intensive course is split into a series of lectures, which faculty members give in the fall, and enhanced spring project teams, consisting of 10-15 students across disciplines. The teams must create projects merging students' areas of interest with sustainability; examples might include energy- and economic-related projects. Honors College students also have a multitude of co-curricular and service-learning opportunities. An example of a co-curricular activity is "The Impact Challenge," a project in which Honors College members spend a full day lowering their impact on the environment and recording their experiences while doing so.
The college's holistic learning environment generates learning opportunities that are second to none, Honors College students say.
"I joined the Honors College because it allows me to work closely with passionate students and faculty," says Allison Murray, an Honors College student studying mechanical engineering. "The Honors College enriches my spectacular Purdue education because it allows me to dig deeper academically and learn beyond my major's typical curriculum."
In addition to the academic opportunities, Honors College students also have direct access to the National and International Scholarships Office, which is in the college's offices in Duhme Hall. That office helps Honors College and all Purdue students pursue the most prestigious scholarships available.
Looking forward, Honors College administrators plan to continue to expand the opportunities available to students. Administrators will extend invitations to the brightest scholars available, including more of Purdue's international students. The goal is for Purdue's Honors College to become a top choice nationwide for incoming freshmen.
Eventually, the Honors College will house about 2,100 students, or about 7 percent of Purdue's undergraduate population, Phillips says.
"Everything the Honors College offers combines to help our students feel like a community of scholars," Phillips says.
"We offer students a chance to excel and to develop as scholars, leaders and individuals -- the Honors College is not just for students who are already high achievers, but for those who wish to pursue holistic academic opportunities. We're excited to be able to offer our students these exceptional and transformational learning opportunities."
Writer: Amanda Hamon, 49-61325, ahamon@purdue.edu