Honors Program

The Honors Scholars Program at the Stamford Campus of the University of Connecticut serves students who are both scholastically capable and educationally ambitious. The program enriches the academic experience and influences the quality and character of a student's education.

"To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand."

                                              - Jose Ortega y Gasset

Sophomore Honors Certificate

Freshman and sophomores work toward a Sophomore Honors Certificate. Opportunities available to freshmen and sophomores include discipline specific and interdisciplinary honors courses, supervised independent research, civic engagement projects, and projects that combine theory and practice.

Honors Scholar in Interdisciplinary Studies

Juniors and seniors earn the designation Honors Scholar in Interdisciplinary Studies by completing two Honors Seminars, and two independent study courses, culminating in an Honors thesis.

Admission Application

UConn students with at least 15 credits and 3.2 grade point average may apply for admission under the classification of current or continuing UConn students. The student's academic record, interest in participating in honors level work, and faculty nomination are among the criteria considered in the application process. Students will be admitted on a space available basis. Application forms can be found at are available at the University of Connecticut Honors Program website

For questions contact:
Dr. Richard Watnick
Room 338, (203) 251-8420
Richard.Watnick@uconn.edu

The Honors Seminar

Students and faculty explore a selected topic by drawing from the perspectives of different fields. Recent topics have inluded:

• Human Rights
• The American Dream
• The Self & Society
• The Concept of the Heroic
• Ethical Issues in Contemporary Society
• Wealth & Poverty

Independent Research

Honors students have the opportunity to work individually with faculty in their major, investigating a topic of personal interest. This component of the program culminates with the Honors thesis.

Recent Honors Theses:

• Geraldine Nusbaum
  The Politics of W.B. Yeats and the Milieu that Fostered Them
• Andrea Milhailescu
  The Power Struggle for Dominating the Oil Market
• Nicole Gatto
  Time Use and Perception among Americans
  Including a Cross-Cultural Analysis with Japan
• Malgorzata Kirklewska
  The Philosophy of Confucius and its
  Influence on Business Practices in the Pacific Rim

Honors Courses

Interdisciplinary courses emphasize key theoretical concepts and their application. Other courses are designed to strengthen expertise within a single department.

Experiential Learning

Recent research and field work topics:

• "Yale and Towne" oral history and archive creation
• The development of coherent discourse in high functioning autistic childrens
• The development and assessment of reading skills in Stamford Public Schools
• Marine algae
• Stereotypes, body image, and marketing strategies
• Middle East conflict
• Juveniles in the justice system

Four hundred companies participate in the UConn internship program. Currently, an honors student meets national and international dignitaries at the Forum for World Affairs. Another works on real world e-learning projects on Campus with faculty and GE executives in the edgelab.

The Honors Program showcases student projects annually by sponsoring "Frontiers for Undergraduate Research."

Student Comments

"The Honors Programs has, without question, been the best and most memorable part of my college experience. The Seminars and thesis challenge not only helped me to learn to work independently, but learn to really think independently. Above all, I found everyone involved - professors and students - to be encouraging, helpful, and probably lifelong friends."

- Kristy Sammis, English major

"The Honors Program at UConn Stamford has given me the opportunity to research interesting topics in an independent manner. I enjoyed the intellectually stimulating discussions we've had in the honors seminars. Most of all, I like the interaction with some extraordinary students and faculty."

- Karen Petel, Economics and Political Science double major

"The Honors Programs was a challenge for me at first, and I admit that I was intimidated, but as I look back, I can honestly say that the program has become one of the more positive and fulfilling influences in my life. I know that the knowledge and desire for excellence I have gained through this experience will continue to enrich all aspects of my future."

- Chrissy Franks, English major

"My experiences at UCONN Stamford were excellent. My professors challenged me to do my best and the support and encouragement I received from my advisor, Dr. Sehulster, and the director of the Honors Program, Dr. Anderson, were wonderful. I believe my participation in the Honors Program was instrumental in gaining acceptance to the post-baccalaureate premedical program at Yale University. "

- Amy Dennean, Psychology major

Contact Information

For more information contact:
Dr. Richard Watnick
Room 338, (203) 251-8420
Richard.Watnick@uconn.edu