This year’s freshman class will be the first class to spend four years in the Honors College.

In 2013, the University Honors College was established. Prior to being established as a college, it was a program, as designated in 1978, according to the University website.

Teachers in the Honors Program are excited about the new Honors College. “I am delighted about the Honors Program’s transition into a College,” said Honors Professor Dr. Lisa Hanasono.

Hanasono believes that the establishment of an Honors College on campus shows that students want to join a community of other scholars and graduate with University Honors, one of the most prestigious awards that students can earn. It also reflects the University’s commitment to recruiting and supporting high-achieving students.

Dr. Hanasono felt privileged to be able to participate in the Honors opening convocation. This year’s Convocation was historically important because it was the first opening convocation that inducted students into the Honors College, rather than the Honors Program.

“We have an exceptional cohort of new students that joined the Honors College this year and I look forward to working with them,” Dr. Hanasono said.

Honors psychology major Darrell White has thoroughly enjoyed three years in the Honors Program and he is spending his senior year in the Honors College.

“One of my favorite parts about it being a college is that now we’re moved from Harshman to more central campus and the facilities are better,” he said.

White especially enjoys that there is more staff now, including a Dean. Also, the Honors College is now tied with the Office of Admissions, which helps get more high-achieving students to Bowling Green.

White has been involved in Honors Ambassadors, which assists with the recruitment of Honors Students. He has also been involved in Honors Scholars, a learning community involved in learning outside of the classroom and critical thinking. This organization helps build connections for graduate school and intellectual involvement.

“One of the greatest experiences for me has been some of the mentorships I’ve been able to do through the Honors Program,” White said. “That’s the thing I’m most proud of— to be able to give back to the community.”

Another student, Becca Wait, is a sophomore in the University Honors College and this is her first year in the Honors College. She decided to apply because she had a lot of friends in the program and liked that the College offered more challenging courses.

“I feel like I get more out of a class when I really have to work hard to do well,” Wait said.

In fact, Wait’s favorite aspect about being a part of the Honors College is taking honors sections of classes.

She said, “It’s nice to know that my professors expect a lot from me and I like the challenge of proving myself,” Wait said.