The Honors College: celebrating 25 years

January 28, 2010 by Gregan Wingert 

Its anniversary is silver, but the opportunity to be part of the college is golden

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It’s competitive. It’s prestigious. It’s free to apply – and it’s on campus.

The Honors College is commemorating its 25th anniversary this year and even the students within the college are breaking away from the books to celebrate.

“We’ve all met students whose goal is the A, but that’s the icing on the cake,” said Peter Starkweather, dean of the Honors College. “The cake is the learning that’s going on.”

Located on the third floor of the Lied Library, the Honors College offers a family-like atmosphere to its students, special classes with great professors and an exclusive computer lab and student lounge.

But the perks must be earned.

Admitted Honors College students face a more in-depth and challenging course load. Students are taught in smaller class sizes by a select group of professors.

The students in the college are goal-oriented. Many are looking to further their education in graduate school.

Students become learners and contributors through the Honors College, Starkweather said.

“We feel like we’re launching them, not that we’re finishing them.”

Lisa Chastain, director of advising for the Honors College, said that approximately 600 students are enrolled in the Honors College.

The Honors College has a holistic admissions process, Chastain explained, “So we can make sure they’re a great fit.”

Writing samples, résumés, letters of recommendation, high school GPA and national test scores are taken into consideration to determine whether students can withstand the rigor of the courses offered through the Honors College.

“We bring in high-quality students and 80 percent of our students go on to graduate and professional studies,” Chastain said.

Many Honors students even choose to do a thesis project, which takes them through two semesters of research and intellectual investigation with a faculty advisor, then a presentation and thesis defense.

Comprehensive, personalized advising offers students direction in reaching their goals, Chastain said.

“It’s more than ‘here are the classes you need to take.’”

Tiffany Schmier, senior academic advisor for the Honors College, spends lots of time talking to students about their goals.

“I see students every day for course planning, time management, career and internship planning, goal setting, as well as talking with students about how to achieve balance in their college experience, which can at times be very hectic.”

But the intensity of the curriculum and hectic schedules creates bonds among Honors College students and faculty.

“As a teacher, I’m always impressed by how much the students care for each other,” said Honors College professor Maria Jerinic.

“You have a chance to have small classes and interact with professors. You can be a self-starter. The Honors College does provide students with a community of peers [and] these peers share ideas and activities and provide extraordinary support for each other.”

Located in Lied Library is something Schmier believes builds a sense of community for the college.

“[Students] have a place to go between classes, to meet a study group [and] to talk with peers, advisors and faculty,” she said. “I tell future students it’s a home for them on campus.”

Maybe more distinctive than the location is the curriculum: The Honors College proudly promotes a liberal arts-centered broad education for all its students, regardless of their major.

“We believe in writing through the curriculum,” Starkweather said. “The point of having the university requiring these communication skills is to use them.”

Honors College students take HON equlivalents of required university courses, so the ideals and philosophies of the college are reinforced throughout their education – things like the possibility of self discovery through academia and the intrinsic value of learning.

The college welcomes investigators with this description: “The Honors College at UNLV is a place where intellect, aspiration, wisdom, personal growth and honor intersect to create excellence in learning.”

Starkweather said, “It’s a rich curriculum. It doesn’t cost a penny more. This is a deal.”