Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is launching updates to its honors program, known as the Duns Scotus Honors Program (DSHP ). The program, named after famed Franciscan scholar John Duns Scotus, is designed to help curious students make the most of their college experience through honors courses and projects. Most of the academic work in the DSHP fulfills university and major requirements. Upon graduation, students who complete the program receive an honors designation on their transcript. The DSHP has cultivated enrichment and academic rigor for high-achieving students for over 20 years, and now USF is making changes further to enhance the academic experience for even more students.
Starting in the fall semester, the previous cap of 80 students will be removed to allow any qualified student to participate in the program. Any student who has already been recognized for academic merit upon admission to the university as a Presidential or Trustee Scholar will not require an application to be admitted to the program. The financial aid incentive of the program has also increased from $1,000 to $1,500 to reinforce the merit of academic excellence these students have achieved.
The DSHP also offers a living and learning space for students to build their community with other like-minded individuals. There are cultural experiences, service projects, and research-guided activities woven into the program to supplement the already well-rounded Franciscan education students receive at USF.
“The Duns Scotus Honors Program has been a highlight of campus life at USF for over 20 years and a highlight of my work here for the past five years,” said Brady K. Jones, associate professor of psychology and director of the program. “The students come from every major. They are intelligent, engaged, service-minded, and a lot of fun. Some of our most involved Duns Scotus students are deeply engaged this semester in redesigning the program so that we lean into the most impactful activities, as well as make the program fit more neatly into the course of study at the university. We foresee a revised program that creates opportunities for highly engaged students to spend time together both academically and socially, and while also providing support to individual scholars as they pursue their ambitious goals.”
The honors program has been a cherished piece of the USF experience for many students for the past 20+ years, and these changes are expected to continue serving students and meeting the needs of those who excel in an academically rigorous environment. Further changes are expected to be made towards the service, lecture, and other requirements of the program. These changes will be part of an ongoing examination of the program and will be implemented later in the year. The revamp of the program is part of the goal to continue meeting student needs and offering opportunities to enhance the student experience.
More information on the program can be found HERE.
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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves more than 3,200 students worldwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 54,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.
University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.
