Brigham Young University. Honors Program
Dates
- Existence: 1960-
Biography
The Honors Program (1960- ) is an academic unit at Brigham Young University.
The Honors Program was established by university president Ernest L. Wilkinson in 1960 to broaden and enrich the undergraduate student experience through intensive general education courses. This has included a focus on critical thinking and writing skills, and more recently on interdisciplinary approaches to subjects. The program was initially open to students by invitation, but was expanded to the general student body in 1983.
The Honors Program has been associated with various units of the university administration. Initially it reported directly to university administration, then in 1973 was placed under the dean of College of General Studies. In 1979 it was again placed under the direction of the university, but after 1983 began reporting through the dean of General Education and Honors and the dean of Undergraduate Education. Directors of the program have included Robert K. Thomas (1960-1968), Richard D. Poll (1968-1970), C. Terry Warner (1970-1975), Thomas F. Rogers (1975-1978), Reba L. Keele (1978-1979), Gary L. Browning (1979-1981, 1982-1983), Karen Lynn (1981-1982), De Lamar Jensen (1983-1986), Thomas Matheson (1986-1988), Alan F. Keele (1988-1993), James Faulconer (1994-1995), Susan Easton Black (1995-1998), Daniel Fairbanks (1998-1999), K. Newell Dayley (2000), J. Scott Miller (2000-2007), Madison U. Sowell (2007-2009), Gary L. Hatch (2009-2010), Rory Scanlon (2010-2012), Joseph Parry (2012-2016), and Spencer Magleby (2016- ).
Citation:
On becoming a disciple-scholar, 1995: t.p. (the Brigham Young University Honors Program) pref. (BYU Honors Program)BYU Organizational History Project website, via WWW, May 6, 2014 (Honors Program; est. 1960 by Ernest L. Wilkinson with student participation on an invitation basis; opened to general student body, 1983; broadens and enriches undergraduate student experience through more intensive general education courses; focus on critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary approaches; initially reported to university administration; under dean of College of General Studies, 1973-1979; returned to report to the university, 1979-1983; later under dean of General Education and Honors, dean of Undergraduate Education; directors included: Robert K. Thomas (1960-1968), Richard D. Poll (1968-1970), C. Terry Warner (1970-1975), Thomas F. Rogers (1975-1978), Reba L. Keele (1978-1979), Gary L. Browning (1979-1981, 1982-1983), Karen Lynn (1981-1982), De Lamar Jensen (1983-1986), Thomas Matheson (1986-1988), Alan F. Keele (1988-1993), James Faulconer (1994-1995), Susan Easton Black (1995-1998), Daniel Fairbanks (1998-1999), K. Newell Dayley (2000), J. Scott Miller (2000-2007), Madison U. Sowell (2007-2009), Gary L. Hatch (2009-2010), Rory Scanlon (2010-2012), and Joseph Parry (2012- ))
Brigham Young University Honors Program website, via WWW, Jan. 18, 2023 (Spencer Magleby; appointed director of the Honors Program, 2016)
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
College of Undergraduate Education records
Contains administrative files, correspondence, reports, awards information, and general information on the General Education and Honors programs. Also contains materials produced or collected by George S. Tate during his work as associate dean of General Education & Honors and dean of Undergraduate Education. Materials dated 1960 to 2012.
Department of Honors and General Education correspondence, 1980-1993
Contains correspondence relating to both the General Education and Honors programs. Dated 1980-1993.
Department of Honors and General Education records on Honors Program, 1960-1995
Contains historical information on the Honors Program, samples of student files, information on various Honors courses, and information on the WHOLE program. Materials dated 1960-1995.
History of Honors 200/150 Intensive Writing / Colleen Whitley
Describes the history of the honors first-year writing course as part of the Honors Program at Brigham Young University.
Honors Program writing guides for Honors 200
Consists of several bound copies of writing guides produced for use in Honors 200 courses by Honors students. The collection has volumes for 1992, 1995-1997, 1999, 2002, 2006, and 2012.
Learning Resource Center collection of Flea Market Lecture Series, 1978-approximately 1980
Contains sound recordings of the Flea Market Lecture Series collected by the Learning Resource Center, 1978-approximately 1980.
University Communications files on honors and general education, 1970-1994
Contains newspaper clippings and news releases concerning the Honors and General education department from 1970 to 1986. Materials also concern help with vocational and major decisions, the Honors Program, the general education program, honors market of ideas, and the honors program general education learning center.