BGSU Honors Program
An Honorable Mention

The BGSU Honors Program seeks out the best and brightest of Bowling Green students.  Established in 1978, the program has evolved into the safe-haven for intelligent conversation that it is today.  Taught by open-minded, progressive professors, the Honors Program is designed to provide a life-changing experience for gifted students seeking a more rigorous curriculum.

The Honors Program is designed with a cooperative student in mind.  The students work closely within small groups; the smaller class sizes and more open-ended classroom experiences empower the students to take charge of their educational futures.  From the group settings arise problem solving and leadership skills.  The students are then encouraged to practice and hone these skills in order to become a strong and successful member of society.

Program instructor Neal Jesse on the benefits of the Honors Program

The fundamental skill taught and practiced by the Honors Program is critical thinking. "The objective," Honors Program instructor Dr. Neal Jesse explains, "is that the students are able to thoughtfully analyze various arguments."  This includes being able to understand and improve upon, as well as argue effectively, the ideas of others. 

There are two communities within the Honors Program:  The Honors Learning Community and IMPACT.  The Honors Learning Community is targeted towards freshmen and sophomores looking for a more challenging curriculum and to be surrounded by like-minded people.  IMPACT, designed for more senior members of the program, focuses on self-development - expanding the ideas of critical thinking into everyday life to better prepare students for graduate programs and post-graduate life.  In both communities, members share common living spaces and participate in community programming - including speakers, social events, and trips.

Continue to next page | Resources | Glossary