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First Year Honors Program
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“Geneva’s First-Year Honors Program was part of what made my freshman year such a great experience. Working with Dr. Guthrie as well as getting to know a unique group of students out of the freshman class was edifying and enriching in ways that I wasn't expecting, but that had a significant positive impact on me and my experience as a freshman.”
“You will love Dr. Guthrie and make lasting friendships in the First-Year Honors Program. You will find that you got more out of your first year of college because of the honor’s floor, retreats, seminars, cultural event, and honors section of Humanities. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to go through the Honors Program!”Collegial Community
As a member of the Geneva College First-Year Honors Program, you'll become part of a community of learners—the most essential component of a strong academic experience in college. Together you will explore the meaning of college, discover God’s calling for your life and be challenged to deepen your faith.
Why Are We Students?
We study in order to understand God’s good creation and the ways that sin has distorted it so that, in Christ’s power, we may bring healing to persons and the created order, and, as God’s image-bearers, exercise responsible authority in our task of cultivating the creation to the end that all people and all things may joyfully acknowledge and serve the creator and true king.
First-Year Honors Program Scholarships
All first-year honors students will receive a scholarship of $15,000 each year of their college career at Geneva. In addition, all first-year honors students will receive an additional $2000 scholarship during their first year of college, for a total of $17,000 during the first year. Also, all first-year honors students who have achieved a GPA of 3.4 or above at the end of the first-year, will receive a stipend of $2000 that may be used during the remainder of their college careers at Geneva for specific purposes such as: off-campus study, academic research or conference attendance.
Living & Learning Communities
Enjoy living, studying and “stretching” with other motivated learners on the honors floors of the freshman residence halls.
Enhanced Academics
Participate in honors-only sections of core courses and in-depth discussion groups. Take up to 20 credit hours during the freshman year for no additional charge.
Superb Cultural Opportunities
Attend professional productions, such as the Pittsburgh Opera, Ballet, Public Theater and more with fellow first-year honors students—at no cost.
Fabulous Off-campus Retreats
Retreats at the beginning and end of your freshman year offer integrative learning and community-building experiences (and fun!).
The Next Level
Continue developing your gifts and calling in upper-level honors programs. The Young Scholars Program will deepen your understanding of how faith and learning intersect, while the Academic Partners Program enables motivated students to engage in advanced research or creative projects.
Courses You Will Take
- HUM 103 Honors Section (Fall, 3 credits)
Participate in lively discussions on topics central to the Western cultural heritage in the honors section of core course HUM 103, Invitation to the Humanities. - HON 101 (Fall, 1 credit)
What is college for? What have I learned about learning based on my high school experience, and what is its relevance, if any, for the learning project at Geneva? What is my learning style? Are all Christian colleges the same? - SOC 491 (Spring, 3 credits)
This course will expose you to the major topics and issues of contemporary society and counts as a social science core elective. - HON 102 (Spring, 1 credit)
In this one credit course, students will be involved in one of several book discussions on relevant and important topics for the purpose of sharpening how to read and think Christianly.
Application
How to Apply
Eligible students (eligibility is based on high school GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and having acceptance to Geneva by January 7, 2012) will be invited to a scholarship competition event in January at Geneva College. At this one-day event, prospective first-year honors students will write an essay and be interviewed by a small team of faculty, staff, and current honors students. Based on an evaluation of the essays and interviews, invitations to participate in the first-year honors program will be sent. No more than 40 students will eventually comprise the first-year honors program.
Requirements
Students who are invited to participate in the First-Year Honors Program are expected to participate actively in all components of the program. They must also earn a 3.4 grade point average at the end of the fall semester to continue in the program in the spring semester.
For More Information
Contact your admissions counselor or call the Geneva College Office of Admissions at 800-847-8255.
Director
Dr. David Guthrie is a professor of sociology and higher education and the director of the Geneva College Honors Programs.