The First-Year Honors Program places first year students in living-learning communities in order to explore the meaning of college, discover God's calling and grow in faith. Students participate in special honors-only sections of core classes, engage in discussions with fellow First-Year Honors Program students and attend a number of off-campus cultural events and retreats.
Geneva′s First-Year Honors Program was part of what made my freshman year such a great experience. 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." Mim, English Literature major
Components of the Program
Living & Learning Communities Live on the same floor with students in the First-Year Honors Program for the chance to deepen and solidify relationships both inside and outside of class.
Enhanced Academics Participate in honors-only sections of core courses and in-depth discussion groups.
Cultural Opportunities Attend professional productions, such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, Opera, Ballet and more with fellow Honors students—at no cost. Previous cultural events can be viewed on the Honors Events page.
Off-campus Retreats “Retreat” from campus at the beginning and end of your freshman year for a time of integrative learning and community-building experiences.
Honors Credit Benefit Students are permitted to enroll in up to twenty credits at the full-time tuition rate during any semester that they are members of our three honors programs.
Geneva′s Honors Program gave me an invaluable vantage point in my education, allowing me to explore the big picture of what learning, living, and believing is." Josh, History Major
Required Courses
HUM 103 Honors Section(Fall, 3 credits) This course seeks to launch students on an ever-deepening quest of what it means to be human. In this first of the Humanities core sequence, participate in discussions on some of life’s central questions related to death, love, and revolution.
HON 101(Fall, 1 credit) Why are we students? What is the purpose of a Christian college? What does it mean to integrate faith and learning? These are just a few of the questions posed in this course, which replaces (for most majors) the “Learning and Transition” course required of freshmen.
Designated Society Core Course (Spring, 3 credits) Society courses explore the purpose and contours of human society, enabling students to understand and evaluate its varying forms. By nature, humans, made in the image of the Triune God, are social beings. These courses enable students to become more judicious and constructive members of their varying communities (e.g. family, church, neighborhood, nation, etc.). Past Honors Society courses have included International Justice and Genocide. *This course may count toward some majors and not others. Even if it does not count toward a student's major, it is still a requirement for the completion of the First-Year Honors Program.
HON 102(Spring, 1 credit) Build upon the concepts introduced in HON 101 in this course that centers on two themes crucial for fruitful vocation: awakening and action.
Selection to the program
Personal Invitation Students who have earned a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.6 in conjunction with a SAT ≥ 1200 (evidence-based reading and writing + math) or ACT ≥ 25, or CLT ≥ 78 will receive an invitation to attend the First-Year Honors Program and Scholarship Competition held on Saturday, February 4, 2023.
During the competition students will be interviewed by a panel of faculty, staff and students, and will write an essay to be scored by faculty.
The results of the competition will identify the students selected for the 30 available positions in the program as well as the five students who will receive the $5,000 First Year Honors Program Scholarship.
First-Year Honors Program Scholarships
A $2,000 Travel & Research Honorarium: This may be used for off-campus study, academic research or conference attendance. It is awarded only to those students who complete the first year with a GPA of 3.4 or above. This honorarium will not be credited to the student’s account but will be paid to the student once requested and approved through the Honors Program.
First Year Honors Program Scholarship: Among those students competing, five will be selected to receive an additional $5,000. Please note: The $5,000 Honors Scholarship will be divided evenly over four years. The Honors Scholarship will be awarded in addition to other Geneva Grants and Scholarships that have been previously awarded for new students in the 20-21 award year.
Only students participating in the Honors Program & Scholarship Competition Day will be considered for the First-Year Honors Program and the First Year Honors Program Scholarship.
Requirements Students who are invited to participate in the First-Year Honors Program are expected to participate actively in all components of the program. This includes completing all required courses, living on the honors floors of the residence halls (except for commuter students), and attending the off-campus retreats. They must also earn a 3.4 grade point average at the end of the first year to receive the Travel and Research Honorarium.
For More Information Contact your admissions counselor or call the Geneva College Office of Admissions at 800-847-8255.