The Carl And Winifred Lee Honors College

Keith Hearit
Dean

Nicholas Andreadis
Interim Associate Dean

The mission of the Carl and Winifred Lee Honors College is to design and foster curricular and co-curricular programs for the academically talented undergraduate student. These programs allow students to pursue their major areas of study and to join with other bright students in honors courses, internships, research projects, community work, and social activities. Faculty members who teach in partnership with the honors college are recognized by the University as individuals who are fine teacher/scholars and who enjoy working with academically talented students.

The Lee Honors College strives to create an environment for critical thinking and active learning. Bringing together students in small classes allows for a variety of educational approaches which depart from the traditional lecture/note taking format. Teachers are encouraged to broaden the arenas for learning without compromising educational rigor. A variety of programs and activities is available to members of the Lee Honors College. Independent study, special honors seminars, inter-university enrollment at local colleges, and undergraduate internships in the community may be arranged by honors college students. The Lee Honors College administers The Seibert Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Award, the Dean’s Summer Thesis Award, and the Carl and Winifred Lee Travel Scholarship which provide financial support for a variety of supervised undergraduate projects.

Students become involved with the college not only through courses but through the Honors Student Association and honors housing community. The college sponsors trips, speakers, and other cultural and social activities. Through these activities students enhance their affiliation with the University and prepare themselves for leadership positions in their professional lives.

The Lee Honors College serves as the campus office for the WMU chapters of the national freshman honorary Alpha Lambda Delta and for juniors and seniors the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. These organizations sponsor academic, social and volunteer opportunities throughout the school year, both across campus and in the larger Kalamazoo community.

The Lee Honors College is a member of the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Mid-East Honors Association, and a founding member of the Michigan Honors Association. Honors students and administrators of the college have held office in these organizations and regularly participate on regional and national Honors committees.

Admission to the Lee Honors College

The Carl and Winifred Lee Honors College admits students as incoming freshmen, transfer students, and current WMU students. Incoming freshman are admitted to the college based on high school grade point average and American College Test (ACT) scores. Transfer students and current WMU students are admitted to the college based on college/university grade point averages, American College Test (ACT) scores, co-curricular activities, and academic recommendations. Students may obtain detailed admission information by visiting the Honors College website: www.wmich.edu/honors.

The Academic Program of Study

The purpose of the Lee Honors College academic program of study is to deepen and enrich a student’s undergraduate experience in a way that coordinates with other University general education and major/minor requirements. Each semester a variety of honors courses, course clusters, and seminars is offered. Many of these courses satisfy General Education requirements and other curriculum requirements. Others are variable topic/variable credit courses, enabling the Lee Honors College to offer a wide variety of additional seminar and experimental learning opportunities. All courses are described in the Lee Honors College course booklet, which is prepared each semester. All Honors courses are so indicated on the student’s transcript.

Junior and senior level students may also take two interdisciplinary seminars which examine critical issues in the fields housed in a particular college. A senior capstone project, the honors college thesis, requires students to prepare and present a paper, project or performance typical of professional work in their major field. A full description of the Lee Honors College requirements is available at www.wmich.edu/honors.

Students who meet all academic requirements are graduated from the Lee Honors College and are recognized as such at graduation ceremonies. This honor is also noted on the transcript and diploma.

For further information on specific aspects of the Lee Honors College, visit the Honors College website at: www.wmich.edu/honors; write to: Office of the Dean, Carl and Winifred Lee Honors College, Western Michigan University, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5244; telephone: (269) 387-3230; email: leehonorscollege@wmich.edu.