LSU Honors College Takes Learning Beyond Campus Borders

The French House on LSU’s Campus is home to the LSU Honors College

May 29, 2007 — Washington, D.C. and Beijing, China have the distinction of being capitals of two of the most powerful nations on earth. But they also have another distinction….they’re both classroom settings for the students of the LSU Honors College.

Housed in the picturesque French House on the LSU campus, the Honors College seeks to cross over any geographical or disciplinary boundary to offer its students something more in their university experience: the opportunity to take their interests as far as they can imagine.

Each year, the Honors College seeks out the best of LSU’s freshmen class for inclusion in the program. Since the college attracts the highest achievers, the Honors College curriculum differs from any other at LSU. The Honors College seeks to challenge students through promoting academic excellence, fostering community and developing leaders.

To achieve that goal, the Honors College has created an annual engagement plan for its students. With a specific theme for each year, the Honors College ensures that its students become the well-rounded individuals that will lead the LSU community into the future.

Beginning in their first semester students embark on a year-long service learning project, learning to appreciate the complexity of the world around them, realizing true empathy for others and engaging in life-changing action.

“As a student, we were required to write our own plans and implement them in the community,” said Honors College student Julie Gerdes. “We gained experience as both teachers and students, and saw first hand the product of our efforts. I truly felt like we were making a difference by not just sitting in a classroom.”

Sophomore year focuses on study abroad. Through exposure to other cultures, peoples and beliefs, students increase their understanding of America’s role in the world. Hamilton D’Aquilla, an Honors College student majoring in International Studies, recently spent several weeks in China through his involvement with the Honors College.

“I felt extremely fortunate that I was given a chance to go,” D’Aquilla said. “It was something that I took advantage of, and I wanted to make the most of it. I wanted to have a good jumping point for my career in Asian affairs, so I realize how fortunate the opportunity was, for me. It’s something everyone should experience because it really opens up your point of view.”

In the third year students are encouraged to strike out and partner with professors in their fields of interest.

Autumn Crossett, a junior studying Disaster Science Management, spent last summer as a White House intern.

“It was a pretty big deal,” Crossett said. “I was the first emergency preparedness intern there ever. I got the internship through a friend I had met in the Honors College.”

Finally, as seniors, students complete an honors thesis project that culminates their last two years of work. Crossett plans on choosing counter-terrorism as her subject.

“I’m looking forward to working on that and graduating with Honors distinction,” Crossett said.

With a challenging curriculum, a sense of community among its students, and a program deliberately designed to cultivate interaction and friendship both on- and off- campus, the Honors College is becoming one of LSU’s sought after programs. It’s a college with no boundaries, and its future is as limitless as its students’ dreams.

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Michelle Spielman
LSU Office of Public Affairs