UB's Honors Program has been converted into a comprehensive Honors College, five years in the making, this semester.
"A college is often times perceived as a more permanent program and although we've been around for a long time...we felt it was time to really take that step," said Josephine A. Capuana, the administrative director of the Honors College.
Over 1,000 students currently enrolled will be at an advantage when applying to graduate school for being part of a college rather than a program since schools look highly upon honors college students, according to Capuana.
"We have a little over 2,000 alumni," she said. "They do very well at Harvard, at MIT, at Stanford."
For Honors College students, the benefits aren't confined to the future, according to Capuana. Throughout their undergraduate education, students are able to register first, live in priority housing, receive scholarships, and have faculty advisors to guide them through their studies. The college also provides funding for research projects and assists students in applying for major fellowships.
"It really hooks up quite nicely with the UB 2020 plan - a number of our students are involved in research work," Capuana said.
According to Michael E. Ryan, dean of Undergraduate Studies, the transformation from program to college marked another example of UB's continuing tradition of excellence.
Aaron Krolikowski, a junior political science major in the Honors College, agreed that the program has enhanced his education at UB.
"I'm getting an Ivy League education at a public institution," he said.
Previously, the program provided opportunities for students to take advanced seminars throughout their undergraduate education. The new college has an organized four-year curriculum. As part of the college, first-year students are required to take two honors seminars. Throughout the next three years, students must participate in an honors colloquium, among other requirements, Capuana said. The college also requires an honors thesis.
According to Capuana, the college will allow students to shape their own undergraduate education.
"I think putting the focus on what can be accomplished with your undergraduate education, to sort of help reinvigorate it, to see it go in different directions," Capuana said. "It gives them the opportunity to shape and take control of their...education."
According to President John B. Simpson, unlike the previous honors program, the new College encompasses various types of learning and is focused on experience.
According to Capuana, the Honors College will serve as a recruitment tool to attract prospective students.
To be accepted into the College, incoming students must have a grade point average of at least 93 percent and a combined SAT score of 1300 or higher on the math and verbal sections.
According to UB Provost Satish K. Tripathi, the Honors College will help UB continue to attract students from across the nation and worldwide.
"It marks a significant step ahead for our university," Simpson said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
