The Honors Program

designed to challenge highly motivated students with an emphasis on research, leadership and community engagement

  • Academics
  • Admissions

    • Enhance your educational experience

     

    With an emphasis on research, leadership, and community engagement, motivated and intellectually curious students participate in classes and self-designed mentored projects that encourage intellectual risk-taking, personal growth, and transformation.

     

    The Honors Program aims to graduate confident, compassionate, and globally-minded leaders that are able to offer creative solutions to the world’s challenges.

     

    Click here for more information!

     

    Honors Program Highlights

    Honors Class 2023

    Honors Class 2023
    • Honors Designated Courses
    • Priority Registration
    • Community Service Projects
    • Discussion-Based Classes
    • Honors Housing
    • Mentored Thesis Project

    The Bach Family Honors House

    Interior Bach Family Honors House

    Interior of Bach Family Honors House

    The Bach Family Honors House opened in January 2006. The 6,000+ square-foot facility includes a conference room—with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment—for seminars and Honors core courses; a residence for eight Honors students per year; a 24-hour study space for all Honors students; and meeting, lecture and movie space.

    Alex Kiepert, Honors Program Graduate '22 Finance & Business Analytics Double Major

    “The Honors Program has allowed me to grow in my leadership skills and field by pursuing projects both in my major and outside of it through my thesis and directed readings.”

    —Alex Kiepert, Honors Program Graduate '22 Finance & Business Analytics Double Major

    • What Courses Will I Take?

      HNRS101
      Introducing Honors: Leadership, Research, and Community Engagement (3 credits)

       

      MUS310H
      Music, Wellness, and Conscious Life Design (3 credits)

       

      WRIT102H

      Research Writing (3 credits)

       

      RLST105H
      Franciscan Goals for Today (3 credits)

       

      HNRS250
      Sophomore Leadership Seminar (2 credits)*

       

      HNRS331

      Directed Readings (2 credits)*

       

      HNRS335

      Thesis Prep (1 credit)*

       

      HNRS444

      Thesis Project

       

      * Only five extra credits outside of the student’s major.

    • How Do I Apply?

      The Honors Program seeks motivated and intellectually curious students.

       

      Accepted seniors wishing to be part of the Honors Program are required to complete the honors program application

       

      Please note, SAT or ACT are not required for entrance into the program. The Honors Program looks beyond test scores and seeks individuals with grit and character who have a drive to do more.

    • About the Honors Thesis

      An honors thesis is required of all students within the Honors Program. It can be a traditional research-based project, creative endeavor, or community service project. Here are some examples of past thesis projects:  

       

      Kelsey Donoughe
      Kelsey Donoughe, Honors Program Graduate '21 Biology, attending West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Kelsey Donoughe

      "The Synergistic Effect of Metformin and Dexamethasone on HeLa and SiHa Cells: A Comparison of Cervical Cancer Cell Lines from Different Races"

       

      Madison Wright

      "Genetic Frequency of the MDR1 gene in Dogs in Central Pennsylvania"

       

      Alana Recktenwald

      "Review of Treatment-Resistant Depression and How Neurometabolic Deficiencies May Be Involved"

       

      Hayler Mesmer

      "Body Composition and Resting Metabolic Rate: Comparing the Accuracy of Various Predictive Methods"

       

      Nathan Moore

      "Effects of Technology in the Classroom"

       

      Trisha Keller

      "Comparing Business Models of Western Boy Bands to Korean Idol Groups"

       

      Megan Wood

      "Human Health and the Climate Crisis"

       

      Sarah Zakrzwski

      "Beyond the Bonnet: Understanding the Appeal of Amish Fiction"

       

      Sarah Zakrzwski, Honors Thesis

       

      Featured Thesis

      Honors Student
      Honors Student Kei-shon Graham presents his thesis titled "Uniquely Generic"

       

    • Find Out More

      Contact the Honors Program Director Irene M. Wolf, PhD at honors@francis.edu

       

      Be sure to follow us on social media!

      Find us on Facebook and Instagram

    Irene Wolf

    Irene Wolf, Honors Program Director 

    Phone: 814-471-1173  
    Email: iwolf@francis.edu
    Location: Science Center 111

    Art

    Arthur Remillard, Associate Honors Program Director 

    Phone: 814-472-3339  
    Email: aremillard@francis.edu
    Location: Scotus Hall 225B

    Honors News and Features

    Blog
    Gavin Ross Honors Student

    Honors Program Profile Gavin Ross

    Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 02/10/2025
    Profile of Honors Student Gavin Ross, a chemistry major pursuing minors in history, mathematics, and Spanish. For his thesis project, he is exploring the sustainable use of mechanochemistry in metalation. He enjoys engaging with peers in the program who bring diverse perspectives to the table.
    Natalie Vogt, Honors Program Student at Saint Francis University

    Honors Program Profile Natalie Vogt

    Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 01/28/2025
    Profile of Honors Student Natalie Vogt, a junior biochemistry major with a pre-veterinary concentration, who is currently researching the effects of caffeine on cataracts in cow eyes. Last year, she completed a directed readings course, exploring the ethics of mortality and cancer’s impact on patients and families, presenting her findings at a research symposium.
    Isabella Swindell Saint Francis University Honors Program

    Honors Program Profile Isabella Swindell

    Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 12/02/2024
    Profile of Honors Student Isabella Swindell: Isabella wants to become a teacher, specializing in early childhood and special education. She credits the honors program for giving her the confidence to realize this dream.
    Matthew Hall Saint Francis University Honors Program

    Matthew Hall's Journey through Honors

    Written by David Lyttle, Class of 2027 | 11/25/2024
    Profile of Honors Student Matthew Hall: As student manager for two of the university's athletic teams, softball and basketball, Hall's had the chance to research and report on NCAA transfer portal data, a topic he carried into his Honors thesis.
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