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This fall semester 2001, the Honors Program has some new faces. Esther Hanson, in the Psychology Department, has become the assistant coordinator of the Honors Program for Activities. Nelson Kofie, in the Sociology Department, has become the assistant coordinator of the Honors Program for Marketing and Recruitment, and I have become coordinator of the Honors Program/ Honors Academy as a whole.

While the Honors Program has been in existence since the early 1980s, some faculty and administrative staff do not know much about the program. Below is a brief summary of the Honors Program's current mission, eligibility requirements, student activities, and course offerings. Additionally, there is some information about the newly developed Honors Academy.

The Honors Program at Prince George's Community College encourages intellectual growth and provides enrichment to academically outstanding students. The program offers a curriculum that challenges and stimulates students through special honors courses, or credit through independent research, special events, field trips, and other unique learning opportunities. In addition, the Honors Program sponsor honors activities and events.

Any student who has a 3.0 GPA or better, makes the Dean's List, or has high test scores should apply. Students may schedule an appointment with the Honors Program coordinator,

Dr. Melinda Frederick, at 301/322-0433, if they have further questions about their eligibility.

Students in the Honors Program enjoy many benefits from the Honors Program including:

• Stimulating classes with challenging coursework and stimulating discussions.
• The opportunity to work with faculty mentors.
• Academic advisement.
• The designation of Honors credit on their academic transcripts.
• Awards to outstanding students.
• Membership in the Honors Society.
• Membership in Phi Theta Kappa for students with GPAs 3.5 or higher.
• Scholarship opportunities.
• The opportunity to meet, study, and socialize with fellow honors students.
• Use of the Honors Student Center in M-1088.
• Cocurricular activities sponsored by the Honors Society

The Honors Academy is an extension of the Honors Program that supports academically outstanding students who are interested in leadership and scholarship. Admission to the academy is competitive.

Academy benefits include:

• All the benefits of the Honors Program, plus
• Academic mentoring and advisement
• Dual admission with selected four-year institutions
• Seamless transfer to the selected four-year institutions
• Financial support

The eligibility requirements for current PGCC students are:

• Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 based on at least 12 credits with six of the 12 credits in general education courses
• One general education course in English 101 or English 101H
• Member of or eligible for the Honors Program

The six students who are currently in the Honors Academy represent many areas of study: Janice Bauer (Engineering and Education), Pat Clark-Pre-Law, Ron Crouch-Psychology/Sociology, Graciela Rodriguez-Santos-Nursing, Kelly Walker-English, and Jessica Wiley-Foreign Languages.

The Honors Academy will consider additional applicants for the spring 2002 semester. The deadline for submission of an application will be no later than December 15, 2001. Please encourage your academically talented students to apply. Ask them to contact Dr. Melinda Frederick in the Honors Program for further information and an application.

HONORS ACTIVITIES

During fall semester, the Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Office of Instruction have sponsored a series of five satellite seminars that focus on "Traditions, Customs, and Rituals: The Human Drive for Community." The two remaining seminars in the series, "The Livable Urban Community" and "The Future of Community" will be shown in A302 from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 20 respectively.

College Bowl Advisor, Esther Hanson, has begun meeting with her 2001/2002 College Bowl team. The team hopes to participate in two College Bowl tournaments this year. Faculty members are encouraged to support our College Bowl team. We can also use score keepers and faculty players for practice tournaments on campus.

Additional information and announcements about Honors Program activities will be announced in a regular column that will appear in the Owl student newspaper, along with announcements via faculty e-mail.

The Honors Program staff can be contacted at the following numbers:

Dr. Melinda Frederick, Honors Coordinator
Marlboro 1087
301/322-0433
fredermj@pg.cc.md.us

Ms. Esther Hanson, Assistant Honors Coordinator for Activities
Marlboro 2036
301/322-0555
hansonem@pg.cc.md.us

Dr. Nelson Kofie, Assistant Honors Coordinator for Marketing & Recruitment
Marlboro 2006
301/322-0525
kofienf@pg.cc.md.us

Ms. Pat McDonough, Honors Program Administrative Clerk
Marlboro 1089
301/386-7530
kofienf@pg.cc.md.us

The Instructional Area Newsletter, Volume 17, No. 1

Fall 2001