Jordan Dever
  • Biology
  • Class of 2017
  • Lucasville, OH

Jordan Dever, of Lucasville in Shawnee State University's Honors Program

2013 Oct 16

The Shawnee State University Honors Program held a Welcome Back Cookout on Saturday, Sept. 14 outside the Honors and University Scholars living-learning communities on campus.

Jordan Dever, of Lucasville, is in the SSU Honors Program. Shawnee State University has designed its Honors Program for students with exceptional academic ability and curiosity.

The cookout was the first in a series of events the Honors Program has lined up for this semester. SSU Honors students will participate in four community service-related events: two trips to Sierra's Haven, Operation Christmas Child and Christmas caroling for the elderly.

Additionally, the students will attend panel discussions hosted by the Center for International Programs and Activities, a wide variety of field trips to art museums and hiking locations, and several shows put on by the Southern Ohio Performing Arts Association.

SSU Honors Program Director Rhoni Maxwell-Rader, Ph.D. says that the program is about more than just grades.

"The operative word is a??program.' It's not just about the honors or the scholastic piece of it a?" although we certainly do that piece of it," she said. "It's also about all the other areas that build character, that build leadership, that reinforce scholarship, that reinforce citizenship so that by the time they graduate that they will not only be an excellent student, but they also will have learned how to be a productive citizen, a true leader."

There are 124 students overall in the SSU honors program. Out of 108 queries, 65 joined this year. This is the largest number since last year, when 34 were added to the roster.

The courses designated as fulfilling the Honors Program give these students unique opportunities for reflection, discussion, and investigation while also fulfilling certain standard graduation requirements.

The program brings these students together in a challenging but supportive environment which nourishes their intellectual, social, and creative growth.

"People see that it's a quality program and there's something to be gained by being in the program," Maxwell-Rader said.

To bolster the increase in numbers, students spent a full day orienting to new life in the rebranded Honors living-learning communities in the Campus View residence halls, located across from SSU's Clark Memorial Library. Events included an ice cream social, followed by a shuttle trip to Kroger to pick up groceries.

In order to join the Honors Program, students have to have at least a 26 on the A.C.T. (2,700 for the S.A.T.) or a 3.5 or better high school GPA. For the first time this upcoming year, students will need to turn in both a letter of recommendation and a one-page essay by March 1.

For more information about the SSU Honors Program, contact Rhoni Maxwell-Rader at rmaxwellrader@shawnee.edu or go to http://www.shawnee.edu/acad/hon/About.html.