News
The Honors College at Towson University offers a myriad of special events and opportunities to our Honors students.
Erin Mountz Joins The Honors College as new Assistant Dean
Erin Mountz has joined The Honors College as the new Assistant Dean. Erin has been involved in Honors programs and colleges as a student, as a faculty member, and as an administrator. While an undergraduate at California University of Pennsylvania, she became involved in their Honors Program participating in extra-curricular activities; managing the Honors office; and presenting research and study from Honors classes at several national and international conferences. Erin went on to earn a master's degree in history (European Renaissance and Reformation, especially the history of science) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003. After receiving her master's, Erin returned to Cal U to serve as the Assistant Director of the Honors Program. At Cal U she taught a range of Honors courses, from Honors orientation and composition through more advanced interdisciplinary courses in social science and the humanities to the Honors thesis research and writing course. Erin also worked with students to organize on-site research experiences for Honors classes and encouraged student presentation and publication through Honors conferences and disciplinary journals. Her final project (three years in the making) at Cal U was to organize and to team-teach a six-credit scholarship program for the top 28 Pennsylvania State System Honors students to study the Renaissance and Reformation in Europe.
What brought Erin to the Honors College at Towson University is the vision that faculty, administrators, and students in the Honors College share in making the Honors experience an extraordinary one. Erin believes that the future of academia and the professional world resides in the ability to draw connections between ideas and disciplines. It is a goal of Erin's to do everything she can to promote and support these thriving academic programs in the Honors College here at Towson University. The one piece of advice that Erin frequently gives to Honors students is to make the most of their undergraduate education and take advantage of every opportunity that interests them. She would like to help students maximize their achievements by working with the Honors College to encourage professional presentation and publication among the Towson Honors College students, especially through the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC). NCHC conferences bring together professionals and students involved in Honors education at colleges and universities all over the country, and they provide an ideal venue for Honors students to display their academic research, to vocalize their own views on honors education, and to create a lifelong career network of contacts. In return, the students walk away with valuable experience and excellent resume items. It is Erin's mission to help students get where they want to go in life, whether it be graduate school, a professional or business career, or community service.
We welcome Erin to our Towson University Honors College and we look forward to the many new ideas she will bring to The Honors College.
Honors College Welcomes New Students for Fall 2007 Term
More than 750 students sought admission to The Honors College this year. Of those applicants, The Honors College welcomed 200 freshmen and 20 transfer students for the fall 2007 term. The Honors College freshmen started the 2007-2008 academic year with a one-day retreat at Genesee Valley Outdoor Learning Center in Parkton, Md., on August 23. The students will have an opportunity to meet with new and current honors students before the academic year begins. This orientation will also provide the students with the opportunity to form relationships, celebrate involvement, and have fun.
Honors College Now Located in Stephens Hall
The Honors College moved from Cook Library to a larger, more accessible location on the 3rd floor of Stephens Hall this Spring. The new space features an Honors College Student Study, complete with new computers and comfortable seating, providing a perfect atmosphere for studying or relaxation. Additionally, students and faculty have access to two new Smart classrooms dedicated to Honors College courses, as well as a Thesis/Seminar room, accommodating all student Honors Theses proposals and defenses.
Curriculum Modifications, New Scholarships for Honors College Students
The Honors College serves as the center and symbol of the university's commitment to academic excellence in the education of its undergraduates. In an effort to provide students with more academic and financial support, as well as increased freedom to explore their interests, The Honors College has transformed the academic curriculum beginning in fall 2006. In addition, freshmen and transfer students entering Towson University will receive Honors College merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per year for four years of undergraduate study, provided the students remain in good standing, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 every term in The Honors College.
The improved Honors College core curriculum includes an Honors English, 15 units of Honors College courses (9 units must be Honors College seminars), and 6 units of Honors Project. Courses taken to fulfill requirements for The Honors College may not be taken pass/fail. The Honors College requirements for transfer students depend on the total number of transferable credit hours completed (not including AP credits). For more information please see the Undergraduate Catalog or Honors requirements.
These new curriculum requirements will enhance the academic rigor of The Honors College while providing students with many opportunities to further their knowledge and future aspirations.
The Honors College
Stephens Hall, Room 302
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 410-704-4677
Fax: 410-704-4916
E-mail: honors@towson.edu
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