Jessica Lipschultz-who has completed 25 honors credits in her first two years of study-includes in part of her Cooke application observations on her honors course of study and education; her comments provide an unusual opportunity to share the perspective of an exceptional student's ongoing experiences in the UHP:

"Through my involvement in the University of Idaho Honors Program, I have become a member of a community that values learning. Classes and extracurricular activities offered through this program have confronted me with the realization that grades alone cannot define academic excellence. After graduating valedictorian of my high school class, I felt confident in my academic abilities. However, my experiences in the Honors Program have challenged my previous notions of academic achievement. I now understand that grades are merely a reflection, and not always an accurate one, of how well I utilize available educational opportunities.

Many of my honors classes such as Contemporary American Experience and Literature of Western Civilization have been interdisciplinary and structured as seminars. This new method of learning has allowed me to engage in stimulating discussions with my peers and professors, which has challenged my critical thinking skills and forced me to improve my ability to articulate thoughts clearly. Similarly, group collaboration on papers and projects in these classes has also given me a greater appreciation for the exchange of ideas that is fundamental to a liberal arts education.

I have also participated in cultural events and excursions through the Honors Program. The concerts, plays, museum visits, and trips around the Pacific Northwest have been both intellectually engaging and challenging. Perhaps even more significant, though, has been the sharing of these experiences with fellow Honors Program members. My interactions with these intelligent and thoughtful students have exposed me to various perspectives as well as invited me to share my own observations and insights. The Honors Program has raised my awareness of intellectual discourse, expanded my academic interests, and motivated me to pursue my studies with greater rigor." -Jessica Lipschultz, English and American Studies, and now also an alumna of Stanford University, where she completed graduate studies.

Honors Student Profiles and Achievements