Honors program changes include public participation

“We are really working to make the honors program a community of learners,” said Dr. Deane Tucker, associate professor of language and literature, who is director of the program.

One of the changes is the addition of the Honors Seminar in the fall, which will consist of a weekly presentation from various Chadron State professors or other professionals. The public will be invited to listen to the presentations and join students in the discussion.

Tucker said the seminar will help honors students from freshmen to seniors participate in a combined activity. He said the program currently has no such element.

In another change, each honors student will now complete a senior thesis under the guidance of the honors director and a professor in her major. Each thesis will be presented publicly at the new Honors Colloquium in the spring.

Also, the program is being reduced from 24 credit hours to 16, which Tucker hopes will appeal to more students. Other required courses are Human Nature, Human Society and Human Knowledge.

“Twenty-four hours seemed like a lot on paper, and a few of the courses we required were redundant for some students,” Tucker said. “We currently have about 55 students participating, but we’d like to get 80 or so involved.”

High school seniors who have an ACT test score of 24 or above and rank in the top 25 percent of their class are encouraged to apply for the program. Current Chadron State students and transfers with a grade-point average of 3.5 or above also may apply.

More information may be obtained by contacting Tucker by telephone at 308-432-6309 or by e-mail at ttucker@csc.edu.