President’s Honors College

President’s Honors College

Quincy University’s President’s Honors College offers academically motivated students a creative, intellectually stimulating, and rigorous course of study designed to challenge and inspire. With a strong emphasis on critical thinking, original research, exceptional writing, creative projects, and public presentation of scholarship, the program encourages students to achieve their highest academic potential while enriching their experience in the Bonaventure Program and their chosen major.

The President’s Honors College adds an interdisciplinary and enriched dimension to undergraduate education, fostering close collaboration among students and faculty. Honors students engage in academic colloquia, research, and cultural and aesthetic activities that deepen learning and create a vibrant intellectual community. Rooted in Quincy University’s Catholic and Franciscan intellectual traditions, the Honors College prepares students for lives of leadership, service, and lifelong learning.

Distinctively, the President’s Honors College is jointly led by the University President and the Honors Dean, reflecting its role as Quincy University’s highest expression of intellectual curiosity and academic rigor. Honors students are invited to special events at the President’s House, benefit from regular formal and informal interactions with the President, and participate in signature experiences such as the annual Fall Colloquium led by the President.

Together, these academic, cultural, and leadership opportunities create a shared Honors experience that elevates students’ education and prepares them to serve, lead, and contribute thoughtfully in their professions and communities.

Admission to the Program: Participation in the Honors College is voluntary. Entering freshmen, current students in their first year of study, and transfer students are eligible for membership. The Honors College invites entering freshmen who have a composite ACT of at least 26 and a high school grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.4. Qualified first-year students and transfer students are also invited.

Students interested in the Honors College should contact the Dean and acquire the Honors College Handbook, which provides a comprehensive guide.

General Course Requirements: The President’s Honors College is University-wide and Honors students can choose any major field of study. Honors courses apply toward graduation in one of three ways: to fulfill a Bonaventure Program requirement, to serve as an elective, or to apply as a major or minor course. Honors students may not take more than six hours of Honors coursework in any semester unless they are pursuing Distinguished Honors Scholar status and choose to enroll in HON 498 Honors Thesis.

Honors students may transfer a maximum of two Honors courses from a previous institution. While full-time enrollment is 12-18 hours, Honors students may register for up to 21 hours during two semesters at no additional charge. This means that Honors students may receive six tuition-free overload hours while actively enrolled in the Honors College at Quincy University.

Honors courses fall into two categories:

Designated Honors Courses: Honors College students are required to take two designated inclass Honors courses, either Bonaventure Program classes or electives. First-year students enter the University curriculum as a group, usually sharing a common experience in one Bonaventure Program Honors class in the Fall with the option of another in the Spring. Other upper-level courses are offered which can be applied to the requirement of two designated Honors classes. For example, all Great Books courses qualify as Honors courses. In special circumstances, exceptions to this requirement may be made.

Contracted Honors Courses: Students may take other courses for Honors elective credit. To receive Honors credit, the student must acquire and complete an Honors Contract form from the Dean of the Honors College. The student and the instructor should describe how the coursework meets the standards of the Honors College. This may include alternative or additional reading, presentation, research, writing, lab work, service, and/or performance.

Academic Colloquia: The Honors College offers two academic colloquia each year. The Quincy University President offers the Fall Colloquium each year on a topic of his or her choosing. The Spring Colloquium is presented by a speaker chosen due to proficiency in an area that will be of benefit to Honors students. Attendance is required at both of these events. Honors students with circumstances that require them to miss a colloquium must obtain permission in advance from the Dean of the Honors College.

Aesthetic and Other Experiences: Students in the President’s Honors College are expected to exemplify a balance of academic excellence, moral integrity, cultural and aesthetic development, and leadership skills. To this end, each Honors student will participate in applicable activities throughout the academic year, and submit a summary of 700 to 1000 words to the Dean at the end of the year explaining their development in these areas.

Graduation from the Honors College: An Honors student must (1) complete 18 Honors hours and at least 60 hours at Quincy University and (2) achieve a final cumulative Quincy University GPA of at least 3.4, in order to graduate from the Honors College and have “Honors Scholar” noted on the academic transcript.

Distinguished Honors Scholar: A student wishing to earn the distinction of “Distinguished Honors Scholar” must (1) complete at least 18 hours in the Honors College and at least 60 hours at Quincy University; (2) make a public presentation of an Honors thesis; (3) hold a cumulative Quincy University GPA of at least 3.75 at application for Distinguished Honors Scholar status. This distinction is noted on the academic transcript.