SAU Honors College

The SAU Honors College was founded in 2003 by Dr. David Rankin, president of SAU. Dr. Lynne Belcher served as founding director and recently retired from SAU. The Honors College seeks and admits qualified students who seek to pursue a serious academic program with equally gifted peers and committed teachers. Honors classes are small and provide academically enriching opportunities for students and the faculty who teach them. Currently, SAU enrolls nearly 170 honors students and graduates about 66% of admitees in four years or less. Anyone interested in applying to the Honors College or seeking further information should contact the director, Dr. Edward P. Kardas at epkardas@saumag.edu or at 870 904-8897.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Sorsby, Taryn: Bucket List


In this day and age, we all mostly get what we want. Instant gratification is one of the worst, or best (depending on what your outlook is), things characterizing our generation. If hungry, we go to Taco Bell. Starving for entertainment? We look no further than the World Wide Web. But there are certain things we cannot have immediately. There are things we have to build up to, and sometimes, wait most of our life for. We can either shrug them off or embrace them, and try to make sure we fulfill them before we die. Below are just a few of the tasks I wish to accomplish before I perish.


  1. I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I can’t seem to remember a time I haven’t wanted one. I don’t know what the design will be, and can’t be certain where I’ll have it done. But it will be well thought through and elegant. I’m resisting instant gratification because I’d prefer to have a marvelous piece rather than a dandelion that ends up looking like a lopsided orange cloud.
  2. While watching House Hunters International, I witnessed what appeared to be the most beautiful European country I’d ever seen; it was Slovenia. It borders Italy, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and the Alps run through it. Slovenia called to me and I vowed that I would go there one day.
  3. I would also like to own an exotic pet. I gravitate towards the toyger, a domesticated cat bred to look like a tiger. Unfortunately, a kitten can cost around $3,000. So, sadly, it is unlikely that I’ll be buying one soon.
  4. Everyone has their idea of a dream house. A large portion of my bucket list is dedicated to the procuring of my own dream home. Things that will make this home ideal for me are the presence of a book wall, a secret study, an infinity edge pool, a claw foot bathtub, and lastly a ball pit. The items might be childish or extreme, but that’s why it’s a dream home.

Swim Party: 2011

Majesta Miles, Taylor Duke,  Raechel Winchell (front, L to R), and David Campbell on the SAU bus enroute to the pool party held yesterday at the Magnolia Country Club.

The Honors College held its annual pool party yesterday at the SAU Country Club. Thirty two students either rode the bus or made their way down to the club on their own to swim, wade, and visit. A hearty meal of homemade chicken tenders, french fries, rolls, dessert, and drinks was catered by Ray Lindsey owner of Marlar's Cafeteria, 2116 N. Vine St., Magnolia, AR.

Honors College students (top to bottom, clinging to side) Arain Walton, Hayden Koepplin, Kody Kasper, James Schlag, and (floating) Sarah Person pause to pose in the pool.

Three freshman honors students (L to R) Cheyenne Meyer, Brian Falkoff, and Michelle Beavers mug for the camera.

 Honors students taking a break by the kiddie pool after eating. From L to R are Caleb Parks, Brian Falkoff, Jordan Chapman, Taylor Duke, Morgan Johnson, Majesta Miles, Shubrashree Khadka, and Jiayin Hao.



Monday, August 29, 2011

Student Meeting and Pizza: 2011

A large crowd of SAU Honors College students watch a short video in which recent graduate Nitish Narula reflects on his four years in the college and offers advice to new students.

After, all repaired across the hall for pizza and door prizes. New honors freshman Sarah Emerson won the grand prize, a $100 iTunes card.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Winchell, Raechel: Bucket List


Living life to the fullest is a goal that most people never reach. I would like to be able to say that my time on earth wasn’t wasted.  Before I die, there are five things that I would like to accomplish.
                  The reason for my decision to become a high school math teacher has a lot to do with the influences that my teachers had on me. Changing the lives and thought processes of young people is one thing I want to accomplish.  Next, I want to eventually start a family. Family has always been very important to me. I would like to have at least two children. I want to have a loving Christian based household that I can be proud of. My third goal is very similar. I would like to keep my current relationship stable and happy. I have been with my boyfriend for two years now and we have a connection that I have never found anywhere else. My goal is to keep our bond strong, and have lasting companionship. I want a love that I can grow old with. Before I die, I would like to stick my feet in the ocean and watch the sun set over the water. I have never been farther south than Dallas; it has always been my dream to visit the coast. My last and most far-fetched goal is to visit outer-space. Although this will probably never happen, it would be an amazing experience to see what the earth looks like from space.
                  Even if I only get to do one or two of the things on my list, that will be enough to satisfy me. Completing the first four of these actions will allow me to die as an accomplished and happy woman.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Move In Day 2011

In front of SAU's Honors Hall, psychology professor Debbie Wilson grabs hold of a box at SAU's Move In Day as Martin Hawron (right) and Suraj Manandhar look on (Photo by Aaron Street).

It was a hot Saturday but plenty of volunteers were on hand to help unload and carry student's belongings into their residence hall rooms. The bulk of the moving was over by early afternoon. Now the hard work begins: classes.

Friday, August 19, 2011

The "Tribe" Moves In


Welcome to the Honors College Tribe. That's what the banner outside of Honors North says. Thanks to the students who created and hung the banner. On Move In day at least 8 students and 3 or more faculty will be on hand to help move students in.

Interestingly, your director will be 5 hours away moving his son Clay into ASU Honors College (wanted to get him away from home for 4 years!). I'll be back Sunday to greet you and get the semester off right. See you then.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Prime Time: New Honors Poster for 2011


Here is the 2011 SAU Honors College Poster again created by Inna Bagaeva

See if you can figure out some of the symbolism. Large versions of the poster will be hung in the Honors Office and in Honors Hall. Expect to see smaller versions plastered all over campus.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Full Enrollment in Honors College


 The SAU Honors Hall Residence Hall is FULL

The SAU Honors College passed another milestone recently, full enrollment. The incoming class of 60 students will fill all of the chairs in the Honors Hall classroom. Also, there are no rooms left in the hall. The Honors College has started a waiting list for 2011 enrollment. The college anticipates a small number places to open up before classes begin on August 24, 2011.

Students who have not yet been admitted should STILL complete their applications by sending two letters of recommendation and the two required essays. The waiting list will be first come, first serve.

The Honors College will also admit students in January, 2012. Students seeking admission then should also submit online applications, the two letters of recommendations, and the two required essays. NOTE: Admission to the SAU Honors College for current SAU students requires the complete application AND an SAU GPA of 3.5 or better.