Building on an Honors Program that has grown significantly in recent years, Wayne State University has announced formal creation of an Honors College, with the new designation taking effect as of the fall 2008 term. The action was approved by the university’s Board of Governors at its Jan. 30 meeting.

The new college for high-achieving undergraduates at Wayne State was established as an initiative of Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid.

“Establishment of a formal Honors College strengthens Wayne State University’s position as a center of excellence in higher education,” Reid said. “It gives us a unique on-campus community of scholars, nurturing the academic achievement and personal growth of our most gifted students while promoting informed citizenship and community engagement. I am very proud of everyone who has worked so hard to make this dream a reality.”

Jerry Herron, who has directed the WSU Honors Program since 2002, will become dean of the new college. A professor of English and American studies, Herron has been a WSU faculty member for more than 25 years. “Today’s decision by the Board of Governors affirms the importance of honors education in attracting and retaining talented undergraduates,” he said. “The honors curriculum exemplifies Wayne State’s commitment to the urban experience and to the enrichment of teaching, service and research.”

The board action follows a visit last fall by an evaluation team of the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC), the nation’s foremost organization for promoting honors education. In their report, NCHC evaluators wrote that Wayne State’s program “substantially meets the criteria for a fully developed honors college.”

Wayne State has offered an honors curriculum since 1986, and the program has grown from approximately 250 to 1,300 students. The new Honors College raises the profile of the program and contributes to the distinction of degrees earned by participating students, Herron pointed out. It also will be an asset for recruiting and retaining the best and brightest prospects for the future.

Honors students pursue a rigorous curriculum that includes higher level course work, service learning projects, independent research and opportunities to compete for nationally recognized scholarships such as the Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright.

Curriculum plans for the Honors College will increase the number of credit hours required for graduation with “honors” designation from 24 to 36, with a minimum of three courses to be at the junior/senior level. Students also will be required to complete at least one service learning project.

The Honors staff works in partnership with other schools and colleges at Wayne State to offer pre-professional programs that give students a head start on careers in medicine, pharmacy and health sciences, business, and engineering. Most honors students receive university-supported or private scholarships. These range up to four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships and beyond.

An academic advisor works specifically with Honors students, who also may have a peer advisor – an upperclassman in the program – to offer advice and support.

Establishment of the Honors College brings to 12 the number of schools and colleges at Wayne State University.