As students scatter throughout campus to locate classes, Francis Marion University Honors welcomes folks back into the fold with their new opportunities.
Honors orientation, hosted by Director of Honors, Dr. Christopher Kennedy, was held at the Lowrimore Auditorium from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday. Also present was the Director of McNair Institute, Dr. Jennifer Titanski-Hooper, Director of International Programs, Dr. J. Mark Blackwell and Assistant Coordinator for International Programs, Honors and McNair, Melissa E. Dungan.
75 new students were said to have been added into the program for the fall semester. As of May 1st, University Honors only had 223 members, with 216 continuing this semester. With the new influx of freshman, transfer and international students, they now have 291 members.
Rules and regulations were made the first priority for orientation. To stay in honors, students are required to maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 after their first semester and 3.25 each subsequent semester. The course requirements for continuing students vary for different classes. By the end of freshman year, students must complete at least one honors course or one honors credit hour. By the end of sophomore year, at least two honors courses or two honors credit hours in total must be completed. Lastly, juniors who want to continue in the program must have completed at least a total of three honors course or five honors credit hours by the end of their academic year. Failure to maintain these requirements risks removal from the program.
The courses offered by FMU Honors ranged from a variety of choices. Entry level symposiums, worth one credit hour each, general education classes, worth three or four credit hours each, and special topic courses, worth three or four credit hours each, are the basic courses provided alongside contract courses with variable hours. Higher-level courses, such as Honors 391/Honors Independent Study Workshop, worth one credit hour, and Honors 491/Honors Independent Study, worth three credit hours, are there for those pursuing independent academic work in his or her major with guidance from a mentor. Honors 491 is essentially a “semester-long research project” according to the FMU Honors Handbook 4th Edition, while Honors 391 acts as prior preparation for the independent study. A completion of 12 or more Honors hours are required as a prerequisite for independent study.
Honors 350/The Model UN Experience, where students prepare and participate in the National Model United Nations conference in New York City, has no prerequisite. Honors 350 is offered every spring and enrollment in the course is by application.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to go to New York this year.” said Dr. Kennedy, regarding the upcoming honor’s trip this fall break.
Although many honor’s students were hoping to go to The Big Apple this fall break, it was said that the trip would be held in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia instead. The reason trip changes have occurred is because the budget for honors trips only allows so many “big” trips, according to Dr. Kennedy. Therefore, a new system was created, where in odd years, such as 2025, smaller trips will be held to save up for bigger trips during even years, such as 2026.
Study abroad opportunities, announced by Dr. Blackwell, were also one of the highlights intended for freshman and sophomore honors students. Those interested in studying abroad for a semester can study in one of the following countries: Canada, England, Germany, France or Spain. It is urged that before consideration, students should obtain their passport to avoid any troubles. Contact Dr. Blackwell at jblackwell@fmarion.edu for further information.
Amie Jordan, representative for Lucky Dog Rescue, was also present during orientation. Lucky Dog Rescue and FMU Honors have partnered closely to help reach out to students who want volunteer opportunities at their shelter. If interested, please reach out to Amie Jordan at her email: amie.jordan@luckydoganimalrescue.org.
Want to know more about honors? Further information can be found in their newest handbook and website at https://www.fmarion.edu/honors/. Any questions, comments or concerns can be addressed to Dr. Kennedy at CKennedy@fmarion.edu.