The University Honors Program was created in 1978 to enhance the rich variety of intellectual experiences possible in a liberal arts education.

The program, which provides an optimal academic and social climate for students of high academic potential, has grown exponentially in recent years.

Since fall 2002, students awarded the Smith and selected Provost scholarship winners are inducted into the University Honors Program and enjoy full membership privileges as soon as they have registered for classes.

Students who achieve a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher in the course of their first and second years are automatically invited to apply early in spring semester each year.

The application, which may vary in content from year to year, generally consists of a critical reaction to one of a number of scholarly articles chosen by the Honors Committee from different disciplines in order to appeal to the greatest number of possible applicants.

To graduate with University Honors, students must complete at least two Honors seminars, complete and successfully defend an Honors Thesis in the department of their major area of study, and maintain a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average.