The Honors Program

Some of the students in the Honors Program.
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Tracy Luff

Entering college is a challenging enough process, let alone the coursework students will encounter while enrolled. To pay off this hard work, some students opt to join programs that will enhance their learning experience. The Honors Program’s goal at Concord University is to provide this opportunity. 

    As a member of the Honors Program, students have the option to enroll in focused seminars in specialized topics. Examples include Antihero in Literature and Popular Culture, Problems in Higher Education, Brain Disorders, and Graduate and Professional School Preparation.

    Dr. Tracy Luff, sociology professor and director of the Honors Program, believes that the program is beneficial to students. Those involved, she says, are “really bright and enthusiastic. They take their coursework very seriously and are willing and able to engage in discussion and debate about issues they feel passionately about.”

    She cites the best opportunity afforded to students as the ability “to work closely with faculty to develop an honors project and investigate an area of interest.” This allows the student to grow in his or her field, and pursue their individual interests outside of the normal daily coursework.

    Jeremy Wood, a senior at Concord University, shares this view. An English major and Honors student, Jeremy enjoys this flexibility. He states, “The Honors program offers students…the ability to receive Honors credit for extra projects that the student wishes to undertake. It gives an extra incentive for students to do research on things that may not be covered in-depth in class.” Students can combine this research with participation in the specialized seminars.

    Victoria Finley, a biology major and freshman, is new to the Honors Program. In participating, she has found a supportive group. “The Honors Program gives a sense of community, and opportunities to be able to make friends. As a freshman that was important to me to establish a friend group who I could relate to and that would be a positive influence on me,” she says.

    Along with academic pursuits, the Honors students enjoy this community built around shared goals. Dr. Luff’s fondest memories of the Honors Program have been during their casual meets. “I have fond memories of the fun we’ve had in the Honors Lounge during our socials, especially our Halloween party,” she says.

    In order to remain in the program, students need to maintain a 3.3 GPA, attend enrichment activities each semester, and complete eighteen credit hours of Honors coursework, according to the Concord University Honors Program web-page. In addition to these academic requirements, Honors students are required to attend a monthly Honors Colloquium. The topics for the Colloquia vary, but some may include guest speakers or student presentations.

    Because of the type of academic rigor in the program, Jeremy identifies a common trend among the students in Honors: “One challenge that many Honor students face is the need to receive the highest marks in the class. It can actually become quite unhealthy because, in my experience, I know that a bad grade has the ability to sink one into helplessness.” Victoria seconds this thought, describing it as “high self-expectations” for success.

    Dr. Luff notices this pattern as well: “They put a lot of pressure on themselves to get good grades. They often fall victim to perfectionism which can leave them really stressed out.” The Honors Lounge provides pamphlets with information regarding anxiety and academic and personal success for this reason.

    Looking to the future, the Honors Program hopes to grow in numbers. Jeremy states, “I think the program is making the right choices by scheduling monthly events and asking for student input on big decisions.” Students have the opportunity to contribute to the Honors Student Activities Committee, where they can voice their opinions and volunteer their input regarding Honors events. “I hope to see more active students in the future,” Jeremy states.

    Currently, the Honors Program accepts any student as long as they have not completed more than seventy-eight hours of course credit from Concord, and must have a GPA of 3.50 or higher.