University Honors Program
Honors Values
It is easy to talk about values, difficult to commit to them, and harder still to apply them to our lives. These are the attributes we affirm in the Program. We look for them in those who apply. We encourage them whenever we can.
Curiosity
The first requirement of an outstanding student is curiosity. The HP is not the place for those who don’t want to know. Why are things the way they are? What do they mean? How does change happen? An intellectual life rewards the curious, and college is a once in a lifetime opportunity to indulge that curiosity in any area you choose. What could be better than that?
Creativity
Creative thinking is crucial to prospering in a global economy in which change and innovation are the only constants. College is not primarily about acquiring facts but developing creative habits of thought. Creativity has to be nurtured, and we believe a broad based education in the arts, sciences, and humanities, on which a more specialized degree program is built, is the most effective means for enabling creative processes.
Integrity
In 2009, Honors Program students led an initiative to develop our Community Standards document. The Community Standards document sets out expectations for HP students in areas from academic honesty to personal conduct. To read the document click here.
Achievement
Talk is cheap. What have you done? All the intelligence and potential in the world must eventually lead to tangible accomplishment. Start today, not tomorrow. Make it happen.
Service
Every person regardless of age or condition owes a debt to society. Our successes are possible thanks to the care and labor of others before us. The philosopher Rousseau was perhaps the first to advocate a “pay it forward” approach to this debt. The HP @ UNA requires civic participation – but this is key – we ask the student to develop her or his own approach to serving the community. This can take many forms, but the student must be intentional about a cause or goal for that service. Causes adopted by our current students include children’s issues, the environment, hunger, affordable housing, animal welfare, care for the elderly, with many others possible as well.
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