HONORS COLLEGE
Dear Friends, By design, the CSU Honors College interacts with our entire campus and all academic programs by elevating the importance of creative and intellectual pursuits throughout our university. We present robust opportunities for all students to challenge themselves by becoming immersed in a community of scholars—both faculty and fellow students—to appreciate all that they can achieve. The newly established CSU Honors College will make Columbus State University a first choice institution for students who seek to be defined by their academic excellence. We will provide that excellence by delivering innovative instruction, challenging research opportunities, and the ability to move beyond the boundaries of individual departments and explore a truly interdisciplinary educational experience. We have a distinctive opportunity to help nurture outstanding students who will impact the university, the faculty who teach and mentor them, and the larger Columbus and global communities. Please join us in continuing our efforts. In doing so, you will help us: • Attract the finest students from throughout the state, region and beyond. • Guarantee support for student activities that build CSU’s reputation for academic excellence. • Forge connections among students, faculty, and the community that will have a life-long impact. It’s an exciting opportunity. It’s a game-changing opportunity. I hope that you will join us in making a difference as we continue our efforts to transform Columbus State University into a first choice institution.
With Kind Regards, Cindy Ticknor, Ph.D. Dean, Honors College
The CSU Honors College The Honors College Experience In the 16 years since its birth in 1998, the Honors Program has grown ten-fold, from 19 students then to more than 300. This growth in numbers and impact led to the creation of the Honors College in 2014, where CSU students engage in diverse and challenging learning experiences that provide a rewarding mix of instruction, research, and creative endeavors. Designed to foster both education and collegiality, the Honors College experience encompasses: • Lower division courses with enhanced activities including guest speakers, teambased learning, and innovative, field-based assignments. • Enrichment seminars outside of the classroom that bring students and faculty together to share their experiences, discuss timely issues, and share their insights across a host of topics. • Independent projects that allow students to customize their education with faculty mentors. • Study abroad opportunities to develop cultural perspectives and make students more competitive in global economies. Honors experiences fulfill requirements in each student’s major and help students pursue professional careers and/or continue into graduate education. Students admitted to the Honors College need a high school GPA of 3.5 or above and high standardized test scores. Honors College graduates earn an average GPA of 3.8 at Columbus State University and graduate with an honors seal on their diploma.
Our Campaign Vision: CSU’s Honors College will lead the university’s pursuit of attracting, mentoring and graduating high-achieving students who will gain national attention for themselves and the university. Campaign Priorities:
First Choice People • Student scholarships – $6 million Top students today have a choice of where to attend college. With rising admission standards and nationally accredited programs, we are attracting interest from more and more academically gifted students. But to truly attract the best students possible, we need to provide scholarships that ensure we are a more attractive choice than other schools vying for the same students.
Honors College at Columbus State University
First Choice Programs • Educational Activity Endowment – $8 million Today’s students seek educational opportunities that transcend traditional classrooms. They thrive personally and educationally through experiences such as internships, national competitions, conferences, study abroad, and undergraduate research programs. Dynamic community leaders will enhance co-curricular opportunities critical to the development of successful professionals in our community. Establishing a permanent endowment would ensure we can provide these opportunities to ALL students at CSU. • CSU Annual Fund – $1 million Until the above endowments can be permanently established, ongoing annual support is needed to make certain Columbus State University continues to attract and retain the students who are truly making a difference across campus, changing the academic perceptions of CSU across the country, and going to be the ones who graduate with the intent – and capability – of providing the solutions to the most pressing issues in our community and in our world.
Summary of Campaign Priorities: • Student Scholarships . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 Million • Educational Activity Endowment . . . . . . . $8 Million • CSU Annual Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1 Million
$15 Million
Honors College at Columbus State University
Making Our Vision a Reality Columbus State University’s Honors College is raising the level academic discourse across the entire campus. Our reach touches every academic college and plays a significant role in elevating the profile of the university and the capabilities of its graduates. Our long-term goal for the college is to develop a permanent “home� for the college, but our immediate needs are to develop the financial support that will be tied directly to making Columbus State University a first choice institution for students who strive to succeed by championing innovative instruction, undergraduate research and interdisciplinary studies. Currently, scholarship funds are available for only 36 percent of our Honors College students. Yet hundreds of student still try to take advantage of our programs without honors-designated funding to support their education, conduct research, travel to national internships, present at professional conferences or study abroad. Many more may not even be considering Columbus State University at all because we cannot offer competitive financial support. Your support is critical to make our vision a reality. Honors College at Columbus State University 4225 University Ave Columbus, GA 31907 706-507-8955