eSpire Email & Portal Contacts Search ABOUT USM ADMISSIONS & AID ACADEMICS CAMPUS LIFE ATHLETICS GIVING & ALUMNI Home USM Academics Honors Program HONORS PROGRAM The University of Saint Mary recognizes your hard work and commitment to excellence—which is exactly why we think you’ll fit into our Honors Program. Our honors students dream big and develop the leadership skills to achieve big. And though our honors students study hard, the rewards extend beyond the classroom and grade book, into lifelong success. Questions? Contact Dr. Mark Harvey, honors director, at Mark.Harvey@stmary.edu or 913-319-3011. WHY HONORS? SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS QUALIFICATIONS HOW TO APPLY MEET OUR SCHOLARS HONORS PROJECTS Why Honors? There's a lot of reasons to join the Honors Program at Saint Mary, but here are a few favorites. Direct access to unique academic, social, and cultural experiences. Honors Program students enjoy performances at the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts in Kansas City and are invited to special dinners with honorary guests from the International Relations Council and the United Nations. Impact students and connect with expert faculty. Honors students meet with fellow USM students every month to help better connect them to USM’s incredible faculty and invaluable academic opportunities on campus. Fast-track to study abroad and service-learning opportunities. The learning possibilities are endless. Instead of being one of the many applicants to adventure abroad, Honors students take priority for the available seats. Focus on leadership development. Honors in-course or field projects are both great ways USM honors students apply their classroom knowledge to real-world settings. Examples of projects include: building a comprehensive art portfolio, research internships at top university programs, and creating interdisciplinary writing samples for graduate school. top of page Honors Scholarships & Awards Honors Academic Scholarship The University of Saint Mary recognizes hard work and dedication in the classroom. Students committed to the Honors Program earn a renewable $2,500/year scholarship—in addition to other academic and merit scholarships. “Reach for the Spires” Award The “Reach for the Spires” Award recognizes outstanding honors students going above and beyond—who reach further—than the requirements of the Honors Program. All “Reach for the Spires” Awards will be conferred by the USM Honors Director in consultation with the Honors Committee. Any USM faculty or staff member is invited to nominate an honors student for this prestigious award by contacting the honors director with a brief explanation. Students must meet the following criteria: A current member of the honors community Demonstrate clear examples service or leadership directed toward members of the USM Community Expression of service or leadership is self-directed—and not at the behest/guidance of other members of the USM Community Nominations: All documents must be sent to Dr. Mark Harvey, honors director, at Mark.Harvey@stmary.edu by March 1. Applicants will be notified by April 1 of the Committee’s decision. top of page Honors Qualifications Incoming Freshman To be eligible, you must meet two of the following three criteria: Earn a minimum ACT score of 25 (contact USM at admiss@stmary.edu for more information on SAT scores) Have a 3.7 cumulative high school GPA (unweighted on a 4.0 scale) Be ranked in the top 10 percent of your graduating high school class Transfers You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 and completed the Honors nomination form from an academic professional. Maintaining Honors Status Maintain a 3.7 cumulative GPA and a 3.5 GPA in major (or majors) Participate in a Post-Matriculation Reception each August Attend at least eight approved cultural events a year (four each semester) Engage with faculty research and cutting-edge ideas in different fields at monthly working lunches Receive an “A” grade in an Honors Seminar Course (HN 350) top of page How to Apply Incoming Freshman You must have an ACT score of 25 or better and a cumulative GPA of 3.7. Transfers You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.7. Students usually enter the program at the start of their freshman year, but transfer students are welcome to apply. Deadlines Applications received by the first of the month will be responded to by the 15th of that month. For example, if your application is received by Dec. 1, you will receive a decision by Dec. 15. This process continues each month through June. top of page Meet Two Honors Scholars Bailey Hightower Hometown: Bonner Springs, KS Major: English/Secondary Education Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride Most Influential Person(s) in Your Life: My professors Favorite Quote: “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” -Ernest Hemingway Why did you choose Saint Mary? I chose Saint Mary because it is close to home, and I was drawn to the small, family-oriented environment. What’s your favorite thing about the Honors Program? I enjoy the freedom of choice the program allows and the opportunity to have an active hand in what and how I am learning. What would you say to prospective students considering USM? I would say that although USM is small, it has something for everyone. The professors here truly have your best interests at heart and go the extra mile to ensure that we are learning real-world skills. What’s your biggest tip/advice for an incoming freshman? My advice is to let go of some of the fear and intimidation that joining a new community can have. Don’t be afraid to meet people, talk to your professors and your classmates because you will be spending the next four years with them and no one can do it alone! What is one of your most memorable moments at USM so far? Thus far, I would say that one of my most memorable moments at USM was the improv horse race my First-Year Experience (FYE) class and I planned and executed in the cafeteria. We surprised our unsuspecting audience with horse masks and a highly competitive race around the track! Brice Plein Hometown: Burlington, Iowa Major: Health Information Management Favorite Food in the Caf: Chicken Nuggets Favorite Movie or TV Show: The Office Most Influential Person in Your Life: My Parents Favorite Quote: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Nelson Mandela Why did you choose Saint Mary? USM offered a more individualized approach to my learning What’s your favorite thing about the Honors Program? The best part about the Honors Program is the close-knit community it provides for the students. What activities are you involved in (athletics, clubs, community service, etc.)? Basketball, Health Information Management Club, Honors Leadership Council What would you say to prospective students considering USM? USM is a small school that focuses on individualized attention, along with offering you countless opportunities that are not offered at other schools of our size and bigger! top of page Honors Leadership Council Introduction and rationale: The USM Honors Leadership Council is an initiative created to give leadership opportunities, influence, and buy-in from students in the Honors Program by creating a bottom-up model of shared leadership. The leadership council is an advisory group comprised of students from each year in the program that meet monthly to discuss seminar topic ideas, honors events, honors student-led events, the honors newsletter, social media, and other student needs and interests. The Honors Leadership Council provides honors students a valuable opportunity to lead and serve the honors program and the greater USM community. The nature of the program: The Honors Leadership Council is composed of two students from each academic year, with the first-year students being selected and voted upon by their peers in the Honors FYE/Honors Experience course. Students serve one-year terms with the possibility for renewal based on active membership on the council and the honors director’s endorsement. A possibility of three non-class based members, chosen by the rest of the council or the honors director provide up to 11 possible members on the council. The council meets on a monthly basis, one month apart from the honors director to ensure privacy and the second month with the director to discuss intricacies of the program and budget. All decisions reached by the Honors Leadership Council are advisory and the honors director will bring all decisions and proposals of the council to the attention of the entire honors committee. The Honors Leadership Council will also take an active role in event programming and planning as well as assist with the honors social networking presence and newsletter content. Aims and Outcomes: The main aim of this program is to provide Honors students an active role in shaping the USM Honors Program, in particular seminar topics, presentation/workshop themes, and honors events. It will also allow students to anonymously voice concerns, needs, and ideas to the council’s attention and then indirectly to the honors director. The ultimate aim is to have the Honors Program be an inclusive, bottom-up driven organization that has buy-in from all the students in the program. Selection: The Honors Leadership Council representatives are chosen on a mixed election/appointment model. First-Year representatives will be elected as co-beadles of their honors FYE house on a one-year basis. If these representatives provide a strong and inclusive leadership role for their course, they will be asked to remain as representatives for subsequent years. The initial council was chosen by appointment based on recommendations from the Honors Committee and honors director based on student engagement in honors activities and honors courses. Non-year-based students will be elected by the current council members or appointed by the honors director to meet particular needs (diversity, commuter/resident needs, transfer, etc.) Costs: Current costs are minimal as this is a strictly volunteer and advisory council. If the Honors budget allows, the Honors Committee recommends that the lunch costs of the 8-11 person panel will be compensated or partially subsidized. top of page Honors Projects As part of the Honors Program, you will complete two honors projects, usually in your senior year at USM. These projects help you prepare for your next steps after graduation, whether that is attending graduate school, medical school, or starting your career. Your major advisor and the honors coordinator will help guide you through these projects. Honors-in-Course Project Examples Completing additional personal health evaluations Extending course research projects Researching and writing myths Conducting book discussions Creating digital videos Honors-in-Field Project Examples Conducting independent research Producing original artwork for a personal exhibition Developing a business proposal for a campus coffee shop Planning and coordinating a reenactment of a historical field game Creating a Monarch Waystation on campus top of page UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS ABOUT USM FIND YOUR MAJOR FRESHMAN ADMISSIONS TRANSFER ADMISSIONS GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL ADMISSIONS SCHOLARSHIPS & AID LIFE AT USM Contact Admissions Email: admiss@stmary.edu Ph: 913-682-5151 Ph: 1-800-752-7043 Fax: 913-758-6140 REQUEST INFO APPLY NOW DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE SCHEDULE A VISIT Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Linked In Flickr RSS Feeds ABOUT USM WHAT IS USM? EMPLOYMENT DIRECTORY MAP & DIRECTIONS CAMPUS SAFETY & SECURITY CONSUMER INFORMATION FACILITY RENTAL SUPPORT USM ACADEMIC PROGRAMS UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS DEGREE-COMPLETION GRADUATE PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS DPT ONLINE PROGRAMS OVERLAND PARK CAMPUS ATHLETICS GOSPIRES.COM MEN'S SPORTS WOMEN'S SPORTS ATHLETICS NEWS SPORTS SCHEDULE ATHLETIC RECRUITING ONLINE RESOURCES WEBMAIL ESPIRE LIBRARY ENGAGE LEARNING PORTAL (ONLINE STUDENTS) PRIVACY POLICY TITLE IX REPORT A CONCERN Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth ©2021 University of Saint Mary. All rights reserved. 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048 913-682-5151 USM is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a member of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA), and is an AQIP Participant. RSS Feeds Download PDF Reader Powered By EDUHelp