“Being in the University Scholars Program has expanded my horizons in significant ways. The forums deepened my knowledge of current events and issues while introducing me to many new cultures. I also went on three trips with the Scholars Program, all of which changed my life. The Scholars Program is a great asset to my education here at NC State.” Allison Kensmoe ‘13, Computer & Electrical Engineering Scholars Forum Cultural & Enrichment Opportunities
pg 02
Special Courses 200-Level Courses Study Abroad
pg 03 Scholars Village Scholars Council USP Graduates
pg 04
University Scholars Program Culturally-connected, informed and engaged citizens Spotlight on 2013-14 Outdoor and Cultural Explorations Throughout 2013-2014, USP Outdoor Explorations will offer University Scholars opportunities to challenge themselves, connect with others, and enhance their appreciation for the outdoors. First up, a white water rafting trip along the Chattooga River in Georgia. We will continue our series with kayaking, backpacking and service-learning trips throughout the year. The University Scholars Program (USP) is also busy planning our annual Fall Break Trip to New York City. A favorite USP tradition, this four-night trip is filled with incredible sightseeing, Broadway shows, world-famous art, and dazzling architecture. We’ll tour the Metropolitan Museum University Scholars Program 102 Sullivan Hall Campus Box 7316 Raleigh, NC 27695
of Art, take in the view from the Top of the Rock, ride the Staten Island Ferry, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, and explore Chinatown and Greenwich Village. You can also join the USP Cultural Explorations during our annual Spring Break overseas trip! This spring break we will travel to Spain for a jam-packed week of history, architecture, art, culture and food as we visit the magical and charming cities of Barcelona and Madrid. Join us as we stroll Las Ramblas, explore Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, tour the Prado, and get a bird’s eye view from Montserrat. With the University Scholars Program, the world is yours to explore!
919.515.2353 university_scholars@ncsu.edu www.ncsu.edu/univ_scholars www.facebook.com/NCSUScholars
Scholars Forum, USP 110
The Scholars Forum is a zero credit hour course that University Scholars register for during their first three semesters at NC State. The Forum features musical and theatrical performances, addresses by major public figures and world-class scientists, and debates and discussions of significant public policy issues. Some of the Scholars Forum events scheduled for this year include: • Author, attorney and conservationist, Jay Erskine Leutze, will discuss his book Stand Up That Mountain, the powerful true
story of the battle to save Belview Mountain in western North Carolina.
• Pastor Leon Dorleans will share his inspirational story and the work of Haiti Outreach Ministries, an organization he founded
that serves the people of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
• Dr. Elliot Engel, an amazing lecturer and perennial favorite of University Scholars, will introduce us to the fascinating stories
of literary legend Edgar Allen Poe and storied explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.
• Journalist and author Matt Shaer will discuss his latest book, The Sinking of the Bounty, the riveting true story of heroism and
hubris in the face of Hurricane Sandy.
Scholars
Achieve! Sophomore Rusty Mau was selected as the 2012 Leader of the Pack. In fact, five of the six finalists this past year were University Scholars! University Scholars Sasha Abed, Melodi Charles and Caleb Haselton all received 2013 Gilman International Scholarships. Freshman Jessica Hatcher received a place in the 2013 Fulbright Summer Institute in Scotland. Seniors Emily Tucker and Mary Charles Hale received the 2013 Mathews Medal, the highest non-academic distinction awarded to NC State students. 490 first year University Scholars had GPAs of at least 3.5 at the end of the Spring 2013 semester. Of these, 134 had a 4.0 GPA.
Cultural & Enrichment Opportunities From jazz to opera, musical comedy to Shakespeare, groundbreaking documentaries to international films, University Scholars have access to the broadest range of cultural opportunities...all provided free through the program. • Tickets to plays, concerts, and dance performances
offered through ARTS NC STATE and area venues like the Carolina Ballet, NC Symphony, Burning Coal, Raleigh Little Theatre, and Theatre in the Park.
• Hands-on workshops for everything from wheel-
thrown pottery and woodturning to improvisation and dance.
• Museum tours including the Nasher Museum, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the NC
Museum of Art and the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro.
• Field trips focused on sustainability, including a tour of the Piedmont Biofuels plant, a coffee
tasting at Counter Culture Coffee, and a visit to the NCSU Solar House.
• Outdoor adventures including a trip to the Duke Lemur Center, a walk through Cary’s
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, a hike in Umstead State Park, an afternoon canoeing on Lake Johnson, and workshops at the Walnut Creek Nature Center.
• A Book Club and Film Series providing introductions to the best national and international
literature and cinema.
• A lunchtime “In the Headlines” Discussion Series on critical issues of the day. • Conversations with NC State faculty and USP alumni.
Imagine
Discover
Special Courses In order to successfully complete the USP, University Scholars are required to complete 12 hours of approved coursework by the time they graduate. Starting with their first year, freshmen Scholars will have the opportunity to enroll in Honors and First Year Inquiry courses to begin fulfilling this requirement. These courses, which will also fulfill NC State graduation requirements, generally have smaller class enrollments and are offered by academic departments across campus. They are taught by outstanding faculty members known for their excellence in teaching and commitment to undergraduate education. Not surprisingly, Honors and First Year Inquiry courses tend to receive very positive feedback from our students. Honors courses are being offered in Western Literature, Intermediate Spanish, History, Economics, Calculus, Statistics, and more! For a complete listing of the Honors and First Year Inquiry courses being offered this fall, please review the Catalogue of Academic Opportunities for University Scholars.
USP 200-Level Courses In 2011, the USP introduced a new series of courses that students can use in partial fulfillment of their approved coursework requirement. USP 200-level courses are open to students who have completed three semesters of Scholars Forum, and are designed to enhance their connection to the USP community and complement the USP’s mission. Student evaluations of these courses are outstanding. “Great Decisions” introduces students to important foreign policy issues, while “Readings Inspired by Forum” invites students to read, discuss and analyze some of the best books written in recent years. New this fall, “Introduction to Exploring Your Surroundings” will challenge students to develop their observation, documentation and reflection skills through field-based activities.
USP Summer Study Abroad Interested in studying abroad? The University Scholars Program sponsors two summer study abroad programs: • Florence, Italy: Nestled in the beautiful landscape of Tuscany,
Florence is a treasure trove of art, architecture, food and history. Students spend five weeks in the city, living in apartments and taking classes in the historic center. Field trips to Siena, Pisa, Venice, and Sorrento are included.
Explore
• Oxford, England: The Oxford program provides students the
opportunity to study and live at Oxford University , one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. Students spend four weeks at the university, taking classes taught by Oxford faculty. Field trips include London, Stratford, Canterbury, Stonehenge and a tour of the Harry Potter film studio.
“Being in Scholars broadened my collegiate experience by allowing me to experience great musicians, photographers, authors, and the like in Forum; more in-depth coverage of topics from great professors in honors courses; and great discussion about Great Decisions in Sean's fantastic course. The USP has been a wonderful experience and, coupled with my degree in Chemical Engineering, has provided me with a very well-rounded education.” Jeremy Roberts ‘13, Chemical Engineering
Connect
Scholars Village and VIA Housed on Floors 2-5 of Sullivan Hall, the Scholars Village offers students a wide range of educational and social opportunities that ease the transition to college life and help students make connections with each other, NC State, and the world around them. The USP Office is located in Sullivan, and specially trained Scholars Village Assistants (SVAs) live and work in the Village. This past year, the SVAs planned a wide variety of events for residents, from international meals, to student-led discussions on topics ranging from censorship to drone warfare. Outings to the NCSU Rock Wall, downtown Raleigh Art Walk and canoeing on Lake Wheeler were also planned, and residents were given the opportunity to volunteer with the Raleigh City Farm, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle and Habitat for Humanity.
Each semester, Scholars Village residents will participate in a Village in Action (VIA) group. Through the VIA program, village residents will take part in a series of specially-planned events that will allow them to interact closely with their fellow residents, a Scholars Village Assistant (SVA), and a professional staff member. These events will also count towards their Scholars Forum events requirement.
“Living in the Scholars Village my freshman year was probably one of the best choices I made in college! The friends I made then have stayed with me all four years and the group activities we did really brought us together. The more intimate group setting was great for fostering those bonds.” Grace Jones ‘13, Biological Sciences
Scholars Council Are you looking for a way to get more involved in the University Scholars Program? Would you like to meet other Scholars? Are you interested in planning events and developing your leadership skills? Do you enjoy participating in service programs? If any of these things are up your alley, keep your eyes open for information about the Scholars Council, a group of 30 Scholars who love to plan outstanding social, educational, and service projects for YOU to enjoy! Several Council spaces are available at the beginning of every year, so if you have an interest in planning fun events for your fellow Scholars, be sure to seek out information about elections in August...and be on the lookout for all the latest news about Scholars Council activities in the fall! For more information, contact Alex Eubank, Scholars Council Chair, at jaeubank@ncsu.edu.
USP Graduates The enriching experiences of the USP prepare our graduates for a wide variety of academic, professional, and personal pursuits. Our Spring 2013 graduates will pursue an array of careers from accounting to engineering and from graphic design to forestry. They will work for global corporations, including Wells Fargo, Deloitte, Merck, Nike, IBM, Cisco, ExxonMobil, and Eaton. Some will join the Peace Corps, while others plan to start their own businesses. Of course, many USP graduates will go on to graduate and professional schools. Among the campuses our students have been accepted to for Fall 2013 are: NCSU, Duke, Elon, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina, University of Alabama, George Mason, American University, Old Dominion, Santa Clara University, University of Virginia, and New York University.
Lead No state appropriated funds were used to print this document.