Honor Programs

Honors Scholars

To graduate with a Donnelly College academic Honors Scholars designation, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time of graduation and “A” or “B” in all Honors Program courses.

The Honors Program seeks to cultivate a community of academically motivated students who want to pursue challenging educational experiences.

Students meeting the criteria described below can enroll in Honors coursework. To graduate with an academic Honors Scholars designation students must complete at least 11-12 credit hours of Honors coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time of graduation and “A” or “B” in all Honors Program courses.

Criteria for the Honors Program:
Submit an application packet to the Honors Coordinator. The packet must contain at least three of the following five criteria:

  1. Letter of recommendation from current or previous instructor
  2. GPA 3.5 or higher for incoming Freshmen or transfer students
  3. ACT composite of 26 or higher
  4. Essay written in a controlled setting
  5. Interview with the Honors Program Committee

Applications with the required criteria are due the Monday before the Fall and Spring semester begins and will be reviewed for acceptance by the Honors committee. Applications can be submitted to the Student Success lobby on the second floor.

Students will receive Honors credit if:

  1. An Honors Contract is submitted to the Honors Coordinator by the end of the fourth week of the semester,
  2. Additional agreed upon coursework* and meeting times are completed, and
  3. A final grade of B or higher is earned

*Additional coursework is agreed upon between the Honors faculty member, student, and Honors Coordinator and includes one or more of the following:

  • Extra or extended assignments
  • Honors term paper
  • Extra readings and assignments
  • Presentations
  • Lab research
  • Other

Dean’s List

Students who have earned a semester grade point average of 4.00 in at least 9 credit hours are recognized for their achievement. The Dean’s List is published at the end of each semester.

Honor Roll

Students who have earned a semester grade point average between 3.50-3.99 in at least 9 credit hours are recognized for their accomplishment. The Honor Roll is published at the end of each semester.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher after earning 12 credit hours at Donnelly are eligible for initiation into Phi Theta Kappa. This international honor society for community colleges combines academic excellence with community service. Members of Phi Theta Kappa are eligible to enroll in the Honors Seminar offered each spring semester. 

Learn more contact: 
Melissa Lenos 
Assistant Professor & Phi Theta Kappa Advisor 
(913) 621-8758 

Classes

EN 193: Spanish Studies: Honors Seminar (1 credit)
This course is a seminar for members of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society. Students will study topics that involve an interdisciplinary approach, are of current interest, and are issue-oriented. The special topics are selected annually by the Honors Program Committee.

Creative Writing Award

In conjunction with Donnelly’s literary arts journal, Dime (pronounced “DEE-may”), the Sister Mary Faith Schuster Award is given each semester to two students submitting the winning creative writing entries.

Latin Honors

Qualifying graduating baccalaureate students are awarded Latin Honors based on the following cumulative grade point averages:

Cum Laude: 3.25-3.499
Magna Cum Laude: 3.5-3.749
Summa Cum Laude: 3.75-4.0