Since 1985, The Ohio State University Honors Program has offered high-achieving students the opportunity to pursue an advanced curriculum of study among a network of like-minded peers and faculty. The University Honors Program unified the Honors experience at Ohio State from what began as disparate programs across the university as the modern Honors model grew in popularity in the late 20th century.
“As Honors students at Ohio State have evolved and changed over time, so too has our program to meet their needs,” said Dr. Julie Humbel-Courtney, Honors Program Director. “We are excited to offer high-achieving students at Ohio State a pathway to start their college experience among a strong network of academically-motivated peers, but also offer pathways for students to discover Honors later on in their Ohio State journey.”
Today, the University Honors Program brings together Ohio State’s brightest buckeyes to build a community focused on academic enrichment and excellence both in and out of the classroom. Honors students across 16 colleges and programs are united by the Honors Standards, a set of common program requirements that is further specialized by each students’ individual major. The tradition of Honors courses, higher level coursework in smaller course sections, continues today, along with opportunities to engage in undergraduate research and pursue an Honors thesis or capstone project.
In addition to the Honors experience in the classroom, first-year Honors students are welcome to join one of three Honors learning communities across campus. Taylor Tower, the first Honors hall, is joined by Bradley Hall and Lincoln Tower to create the Honors Living-Learning Communities. Honors student leaders in the Honors Community Leadership Council and Honors Community Advocates also create programs and events all around campus for Honors students to socialize with one another and explore extracurricular opportunities.
As a part of the Education for Citizenship 2035 plan announced by President Ted Carter, the University Honors Program will continue to evolve over the next 10 years. The program will expand Honors course offerings, create a menu of education abroad opportunities for students, and will be expanding its successful Honors Community Advocates peer-mentoring network.
“This is an incredible opportunity to elevate the Honors experience at Ohio State,” said Dr. Ola Ahlqvist, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Enrichment, Executive Director of the University Honors and Scholars Center, and Professor of Geography. “More Honors course options, a wide array of Honors-level experiences around the world, and a stronger network of peer and faculty mentorship will further advance our Honors students’ Buckeye experience.”
Since its inception, the University Honors Program has graduated over 39,000 alumni. Alumni and friends of the program are invited to explore more opportunities to mark the 40th anniversary of University Honors. The Honors and Scholars Alumni Society will also be hosting a celebration before the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 4th at the Kuhn Honors and Scholars House.