Each year, fifteen to twenty sophomore students officially take their places as Churchill scholars. The program affords this select group of students an unusual opportunity for learning in close association with peers who are highly capable and equally serious about college education. The program is designed to provide these students with a strong liberal arts foundation and training in critical thinking and writing. The sophomore-level curriculum is grounded in literature, philosophy, history, science, and sociology. Juniors gather for honors seminars focusing on global traditions in ethics.
Seniors concentrate on research-based community service projects in their own majors.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all honors and non-honors University work is required for graduation from the program. The minor in interdisciplinary ethics is conferred on all students who complete the full 30-credit program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses. The program staffs classes with outstanding professors, many of whom have national reputations as scholars, writers, and researchers. The Churchill Scholars Honors Program seeks excellent students just entering their sophomore year at Southern Oregon University. The program does not rely on any single academic admission criterion.