Graduating Honors students will be recognized for their accomplishments in the Honors Program at an awards Chapel on Tuesday.
Students and faculty will meet in the Chapel on the Hill during the regularly scheduled Chapel time for the presentation to December graduates.
Stephanie Smith, adviser for the Honors Program, said the Chapel event is designed to recognize the accomplishments of senior program members.
“They have gone through a lot of extra work, and all departments recognize their graduating seniors, so we want to tell them congratulations on a job well done,” Smith said.
Students must meet several requirements to be admitted to the Honors Program, which is divided between University, Departmental and general Honors tracks. These requirements include a minimum standardized testing score, GPA requirements and a satisfactory essay and résumé.
The three tracks require different combinations of a 3.5 GPA, 18 hours of lower division Honors work, 3 hours of colloquia classes, two projects and a senior capstone, such as an internship or research project.
Students who will be recognized for University Honors, the highest distinction, are Doug Mann, Jenny Dodd, Megan Thomas and Katie Barnard.
Elena Kua will be awarded for Departmental distinction, and general Honors students include Ryan Jones, Ashley Decker, Marcella Clinard, Casey Woods, Jordan Blakey, Amanda Buchanan and Nicole Garcia.
Buchanan, senior psychology major from Lubbock, said her experience as an Honors student changed her perspective because of smaller, more intensive classes and challenging class conversations.
“It definitely gave me a new way of looking at things,” Buchanan said. “Whenever I’m being presented with information, it’s not just storing information in my head. It’s critically thinking about the info being given to me and seeing how I can apply it to the world around me.”
She said the Chapel event Tuesday is a way of showing appreciation for Honors students who have put extra effort into maintaining their Honors status through classes, projects and GPA requirements.
“I think it’s important for students who are trying to be adults to know that their efforts are being recognized,” Buchanan said.
Dr. Caron Gentry, assistant professor of political science and Honors Studies, will be presenting Ventures and Roamings in an address to students during the Chapel event, and Dr. Chris Willerton will present awards to students. A reception in the rotunda of the Biblical Studies Building will take place immediately following the program and all departments are welcome to attend.
