NSU Honors Department budgets funding

Mercedes Montoya
TNE Writer

The NSU Honors Department budgets state funding in order to award students with
scholarships, provide academic resources and hold student events.
The honors department was founded in 2001 under the direction of Dr. Jim Pate, vice
president of academic affairs.
He decided NSU was ready for an honors program that would foster research and would
give students the ability to work at a higher level, said Dr. Karen Carey, honors program
director.
Faculty members from departments across campus formed a committee. The committee
researched honors programs across the state of Oklahoma, taking note of their
characteristics. Their findings and plan for a program at NSU were presented to Dr. Pate,
who approved such plan after modifications were made.
When the honors department was formed, there was a scholarship already in place funded
by the Oklahoma state regents. With an honors program now in place, this scholarship
became exclusive to the program.
The scholarship was and still is awarded based on a students ACT score and high school
GPA. All students admitted to the honors program must have a minimum composite ACT
score of 29. Students scoring a 29 must have a high school GPA of 3.65 or higher and
rank within the upper 4% of their high school class. Students scoring a 30 or higher on
the ACT must have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The terms of the scholarship are based on a students qualifying ACT score and GPA.
Currently, students are eligible to receive a tuition waiver covering up to 18 credit hours.
Student can also receive a housing waiver covering the cost of a standard double
occupancy dorm room. Select students receiving the upper end scholarships receive a
stipend to cover additional expenses such as fees and meal plans.
NSU is the only college I applied for that offered me the kind of opportunity that the
honors program provides, said Reagan Whitten, Wagoner junior. I'm in my junior year
of college, and I haven't had to take out a single loan My honors scholarship has
allowed me to spend my semesters focusing on my school work, rather than having to
work a job and do school simultaneously.
In order to remain eligible for this scholarship over the course of four years, honors
students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Also, student must complete a six credit
hour research project per the department requirements.
Its a very exclusive scholarship, said Dr. Carey. I feel very fortunate we have been
able to offer this to students.
Within the honors program, there are two distinct bodies: an institutional department and
a student organization. The institutional department focuses on academics with a goal of
matriculating students through the program and graduating with honors standings. The
same group of students is also recognized as a student organization. This organization is
ran by students and focuses on campus participation and contribution.
Due to this distinction, the honors program as a whole has three separate funds, each with
a specific purpose.

The largest of the funds is the 02 fund. This fund is allotted to the department and is
intended for education and general supplies.
The two remaining funds are for the student organization. The 50 fund is given to the
organization for student activities such as game nights and social events. The 54 fund is
generated by fundraising and supplements the 50 fund.
The money in the 02 and 50 funds varies each year since it comes from NSUs overall
budget. Both funds are renewed each year.
If we do not use all of the money in these two accounts, we lose it at the end of the fiscal
year, said Leigh VanDeburgh, honors department student worker.
In addition to these two funds, NSU budgets the honors department directors salary and
student workers wages. The payroll department manages this funding.
While NSU has formed a department with thorough funding, improvements can be made.
For what we do right now, the Honors Program has adequate funding, said
VanDeburgh. However, if we wanted to truly provide our students with an enriching
experience by hosting guest speakers or going on field trips, we are financially unable to
do so.
The NSU Honors Department works to balance funding granted by the state to reward
academically advanced students financially through scholarships and stipends.
Additionally, the department provides students in the program with academic guidance
and resources, opportunities to interact with fellow honors students and the chance to
give back to the campus through event participation.
For

more

information

regarding

visit http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~honors.

the

NSU

Honors

Department,