Earl Lester Cole Honors College
Activities
Through program thrust, diverse activities and meaningful incentives, the
Honors College has become a powerful motivating force for excellence and
diversity in educational activities at GSU. Students find in the Honors
College new ways of thinking, of facing challenges, new keys to understanding
and incentives for achieving success. For continuous motivation, challenge
and recognition the Honors College initiated certificates of academic achievement
for participants, effective, April 24, 1998. Two types of Certificates are
awarded to Freshmen and Graduating Seniors; Academic Distinction 3.70-4.00
and Academic Scholars 3.50-3.69. Also, a general recognition for achievement
and service is presented at the Annual Spring Honors Convocation.
The organized plan of general education courses in the Honors College:
English, History, Mathematics and the Sciences offered in the Colleges of
Liberal Arts, Science and Technology, are taught by professors in the respective
departments in the colleges. The faculty in the Honors College direct interdisciplinary
Seminars and other non-traditional educational experiences. In addition
to Honors Courses and interdisciplinary seminars, faculty members in the
Honors College are involved in planning with the students for the Louisiana
Collegiate Honors Council (LCHC) in the Spring each year, the Southern Regional
Honors Council (SRHC) plus the National Honors Council (NCHC).
The Medallion Luncheon, recognition for graduating
seniors in the Honors College, was initiated in the Spring 1998, and is
held for each group of graduates, Spring, Summer, and Fall. (See Appendix:
First Medallion Luncheon). Each luncheon program provides for the Vice President
of Academic Affairs to speak, for comments by the University President and
a response by the ranking student in the graduating class. Graduates received
Bronze, Silver or Gold Medallions in keeping with their CGPA and participation
in the Honors College.
The Annual Fall Ceremony for Induction of members
into the Honors College is held each October. Since the Inaugural Program
in 1990, 686 students have become members and 406 have graduated, representing
all colleges/schools and the various degree granting programs at GSU.
The special Fall Induction Ceremony is well attended by parents from throughout
the country, the university family and community citizens. In the program
following the reading of the Oath and other program items, New Members receive
the Honors Badges (pin), which is pinned by parents, faculty or friends.
Also, special recognition is given to faculty and citizens for service to
the university and state.
The students in the Honors College participate in a variety of academically
based activities, many of which include experiences that strengthen academic
personal/social and emotional development as noted in Program Thrust. In
the Fall and Spring Honors College Round-Ups, students share experiences
from their summer and semester breaks, organize groups for Quiz Bowls, Book
Reviews, Lecture Series, select Miss Honors College and discuss plans for
forthcoming conferences as the State, Regional and National levels. They
review on experiences in internships, research, presentations at NAFEO,
etc.
