Purdue Calumet Announces Honors College
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowPurdue University Calumet has announced plans to launch an Honors College. The school plans to begin the program next year and hopes to attract about 500 students.
January 31, 2014
News Release
Hammond, Ind. — To enrich learning experiences of highly motivated and academically exceptional students, Purdue University Calumet plans to introduce an innovative Honors College.
The Honors College will build on Purdue Calumet's current honors program by offering special classes, a research component, other learning initiatives and an opportunity to pursue distinctive degree program options appropriate to student interests and abilities. All Honors College students will receive a scholarship.
The official transition from program to college takes place this summer; the first cohort class of Honors College students will enroll in fall 2015. The Purdue University Board of Trustees recently approved introduction of the Honors College.
“As an investment in our university strategic goal of advancing academic excellence, our Honors College will provide a rich, challenging and desirable learning experience for academically exceptional students,”
Purdue Calumet Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said. “Through special learning communities, this Honors College will foster academic excellence, critical thinking, vital leadership skills, social and civic responsibility, and other virtues required of outstanding citizens and leaders.”
Keon also called the Honors College “distinctive” based on the combination of opportunities it provides that blends with traditional degree programs. “Introducing an Honors College is indicative of Purdue Calumet’s commitment to a student-centered campus,” he said.
In expanding the benefits of the current honors program, the new Honors College will enable individual student learning initiatives that go beyond Purdue Calumet’s foundational academic base to equip students with skills and knowledge important for success in the work world and graduate studies.
Honors College students, according to current Purdue Calumet Honors Program Director and Professor of Philosophy John Rowan, will engage in substantive undergraduate research, obtain leadership experience, pursue their education with similarly-capable and like-minded peers, have opportunities to study abroad and even develop their own plan of study.
“Honors College students essentially will be able to design their own major,” Rowan said. “For example, they could develop a study program in, say, pre-med, international business, health care technology or any topical focus that suits their interests and is tailored to one or several career fields.”
Qualified freshmen, sophomores and transfers can qualify for admission to the Honors College. The college will offer a traditional, four-year program for incoming freshmen and four-to-six-semester program for currently-enrolled Purdue Calumet students who have demonstrated strong, academic ability. Additionally, transfer students planning to complete no fewer than four semesters of course work prior to graduation can gain admission.
In addition to Honors College scholarships, students can earn additional funding to support study abroad opportunities.
Purdue Calumet hopes to attract up to 500 students to its Honors College.
“The Honors College will play a crucial role in Purdue Calumet’s transition to a more comprehensive regional university,” Rowan said.
Source: Purdue University Calumet