Honors Scholar Program Home

Welcome to the Honors Scholar Program

The High Point University Honors Scholar Program allows students to develop more in-depth perspectives through intellectually challenging experiences, both in curricular and co-curricular capacities. While all honors level courses stress advanced interpretive methodology, critical thinking, research methods and analytical writing techniques that go above and beyond the typical undergraduate curriculum, students in the Honors Scholar Program have the unique opportunity for increased interaction with faculty, creating large outlets for intellectual growth and stimulation.

 

Greetings From the Director

Founded in 1985, the HPU Honors Scholar Program is an emblem of what is best about academics at High Point University. Designed in alignment with the best practices of the National Collegiate Honors Council our mission is simple – to provide a qualitatively enriched educational experience for superior students. Consequently, the Honors Scholar Program should be understood as an enhancement of a classic education. This means that Honors Scholars pursue their academic goals by working in interdisciplinary learning environments with HPU’s finest faculty. By exploring ideas through an enhanced course of study, which offers richer texture and greater depth of engagement than a standard curriculum, Honors Scholars find it possible to cultivate the research skills and rigorous approach to scholarship that is most desired by graduate and professional schools, as well as future employers.

As you might imagine, members of the HPU Honors Scholar Program are some of the most highly motivated and accomplished students on campus. Honors Scholars conduct their coursework through a wide variety of majors, but they share one obvious trait in common – a clear commitment to getting the best education possible. In other words, participation in our community of scholars indicates that you are someone who is committed to availing yourself of the best courses and the best professors, so you might: learn more, grow more, challenge yourself more, experience more, and become more of who you were meant to be.

Of course people come to college with the hopes of making new friends, gaining a little independence from home, and having a good time, and these are integral parts of any collegiate experience. But I also maintain that if life at college can be compared to the challenges and pleasures of swimming in the ocean then participation in the HPU Honors Scholar Program is like swimming in deeper water with giants – giant ideas, giants thinkers, giant scholars, giant opportunities for making the contacts that lead to landing the best jobs or getting into the best professional and graduate schools.

Our current Honors students reflect regularly that some of their finest experiences at High Point University have come through their participation in the Honors Scholar Program. In a similar way our Honors faculty consider one of their greatest privileges to be the chance to work with such interested and interesting students. As learning is a journey of discovery and I hope we have a chance to walk together.

Until our paths cross… warm regards,

Dr. Mark A. Toole
Director of the HPU Honors Scholar Program

“The Honors Scholar Program at High Point University is truly unique. I have not simply been given harder homework, but have had the opportunity to learn beyond the textbook and synergize with fellow students and faculty. My research began early in my student career and I have been challenged every step of the way. High Point is a stellar university, but the Honors Scholar Program takes learning to a new level. I truly feel that I am engaging my full potential.”

Bradley Taylor
Chemistry & Mathematics, Class of 2013
Clemmons, NC