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 is 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.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Faculty Information Fall 2015


SAU Honors College / 21 August 2015

How we recruit honors students:
From HC Web page (http://www.saumag.edu/honors/):
We admit first-year and transfer students based upon a global assessment of academic potential. We examine ACT scores, high school GPA, required submitted essays, letters of recommendation and other relevant information. Current SAU students who have earned at least a 3.5 GPA may petition the Honors College for admission. Students transferring from affiliated Honors 2+2 programs (SAU Tech, SACC, and College of the Ouachitas, at present) must hold a minimum college GPA of 3.25. Also, they too must submit an online application, required essays, and letters of recommendation.
Honors Demographics
Honors students (N = 175) study in all four of SAU's Colleges. Most, however, will be found in Sci&Eng, followed closely by LPA, and more distantly by CoB, and CoE.
Honors FAQ
Are there separate honors courses?
Yes. Honors courses are either full honors or contract honors. In full honors, only honors students may enroll. Those classes are smaller and are taught differently. Please think about offering full honors classes in your department.
In contract courses, students contract with the instructor to elevate a regular class to honors level. For example, genetics students receive 23 and Me kits to analyze their own genome. Later, they report on their results to the class orally and in writing. Simply adding a research paper should be avoided. Projects that are interesting and engaging are best. Contracts for Spring 2016 must be finalized by Monday 7 December 2015
Do faculty get paid to teach honors courses?
No, but faculty will be allowed up to $300 per course to purchase materials or supplement travel expenses. On a case-by-case basis and by written request additional funds may be provided. (Note: faculty who taught honors prior to July 2009 may request a $300 stipend in lieu of expense money. Such funds are subject to normal payroll deductions.)
How many honors credits are required?
Honors students must take a minimum of 24 honors hours in order to graduate. A few students have taken over 50 honors hours. Nearly all graduate in four years or less.
What GPA is required to remain in the Honors College?
The minimum GPA to remain in the Honors College is 3.25. Students are given one semester to regain that GPA. They retain their honors status while on probation.
What about travel?
Thanks to recent SAU Foundation funding honors students have been able to travel in the US (Denver, New Orleans) and overseas (London, South Africa, and New Zealand).
What is the graduation rate?
About 66% of those admitted graduate with honors in four years or less. Nearly all admitted graduate eventually. A few transfer, fewer still fail to graduate.
May I donate to the Honors College?
Yes, through payroll deduction. Also, a major donor is sought to name the College.
Contact Information
Ed Kardas (epkardas@saumag.edu) at Peace 109 or Nelson 200  x4231 (anytime)
David Wingfield (dlwingfield@saumag.edu) Nelson 200, x4375 (afternoons 1 to 5)
Web page: http://www.saumag.edu/honors/           Blog: http://sauhc.blogspot.com

The honorable Parnell Vann, mayor of Magnolia will be this year's speaker at the annual matriculation ceremony on Sep. 20 at 2 pm in Foundation Hall.

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