Northern Michigan University's May 1 virtual commencement will feature 24 graduates who have earned an Honors Program designation, the most since the program's inception in fall 1998. This follows another achievement last fall, when the Honors Program recorded its largest incoming cohort ever, with 88 new students.
The NMU Honors Program provides academically talented students with a four-year series of specially designed, interdisciplinary and department-based courses to complement their undergraduate degrees, regardless of major. It offers small class sizes that enhance individual attention. Participants also have the opportunity to engage in independent and collaborative research with NMU faculty members.
Assistant Director Anna Zimmer said the program's growth is largely due to the team prioritizing recruitment and retention.
"In order to recruit stellar candidates, Director Michael Joy and I have collaborated with Admissions and the Campus Visit Program to identify and meet with many prospective students over the course of the year,” she said. “Working with Honors Program Principal Secretary Sam Marier '11, we have increased communications and advising opportunities, thus ensuring that more students are on track to graduate with Honors Program designations on their transcripts.
“We are pleased that these efforts have resulted not only in the largest incoming and graduating classes this year, but also that these commitments have enabled us to work with even more outstanding students!”
Graduates who complete four years in the Honors Program have the full honors designation printed on their official university transcripts. NMU also offers lower division and upper division honors distinctions.
Learn more about the program here.