Academic Feature: The Julius Olsen Honors Program

(ABILENE, Texas)–The Julius Olsen Honors Program “aspires to be a prime example of liberal learning among Christian universities by providing a community in which our most able, ambitious, and inquisitive undergraduate students support, challenge, and learn from each other while obtaining a unique and enriched educational experience,” The program “seeks to inspire the deep integration of faith and intellect and the development of global and local citizenship that reflects social justice, generous mercy and the relentless love of God.”

Dr. Tom Copeland speaks to incoming honors students.

Started through one of the largest endowments received in the university’s history, the Honors Program was officially founded in 2006 when Dr. Tom Copeland began directing the program, though a few select honors courses had been offered since 2004. Today, the Honors Program includes around seventy undergraduate students who take specific courses to work towards an Honors Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. Twenty-three credits comprise the program; students take Honors Colloquium, Honors Discourses in Aesthetics, Math and Science, and Cultural theory, as well as Honors Bible courses, Honors electives, and a yearlong senior capstone project. These courses are designed to promote critical thinking and to encourage students to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences to become better prepared to be leaders outside of the university. The Honors Program currently operates out of the Olsen House on campus.

“Participating in the Honors program was the best decision I could have made when I came to HSU. The classes and professors really encourage you to think deeply on complex topics and push you to think outside the box. Even during my first semester in Honors Colloquium I really became grounded in my beliefs as I never had before, which has prepared me to handle many life experiences I would have been otherwise ill-equipped to handle,” says current honors student Alyssa Anderson.

A panel of honors students and faculty speak to incoming honors students.

Students who meet three of four entrance criteria are invited to apply for the program. Applicable criteria include receiving a 3.75 overall GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrating diversity through extra-curricular interests, earning an ACT score of 25 or higher or an RSAT score of 1200 or higher, or being in the top 10% of one’s graduating class. Applicants must submit an Honors resume, which highlights the “significant accomplishments that identify you as a creative, goal-oriented, responsible, talented individual who will be able to contribute to the Honors Program,” and an Honors essay that exemplifies the student’s writing ability and critical thinking regarding one of four topics: religious conflict, war and peace, poverty, or human rights. Also required are three letters of recommendation.

Honors faculty members interview the top applicants and narrow the students’ applications to those who will gain admittance into the program. Accepted applicants are offered a $3,000 annual scholarship in addition to all other university scholarships. There are also options to travel within the Honors Program to locations like New York City, New Orleans, Greece, Italy, and Spain.