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Honors

Douglas D. Alder Scholarship

Spring Semester - one award of $1,000

This scholarship will be given to an exceptional Honors student sophomore or junior who is aspiring to apply for a nationally competitive scholarship, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Gates, Javits, or Truman. Alder Scholars will be expected to apply for one of these national awards.

The criteria for this award include:

• Overall academic merit, including USU GPA, honors and awards;
  
• Progress towards graduating with Departmental and University Studies Honors;
  
• Evidence of public or community service and leadership;
  
• Desire to be a "change maker" in the world.

To apply, submit:

A letter of application including

• major
  
• post-graduation plans
  
• what issues and problems in the world that you most hope to address in your work
  
• how your activities and studies have prepared you for this plan
  
• how the award will help you achieve your goals;

A letter of recommendation that addresses your academic experience and your leadership potential (*The faculty mentor may send the letter of support to the Honors Program, UMC 1438. If the student delivers the letter, it must be sealed and signed across the seal by the faculty mentor);

A recent unofficial transcript printed from BANNER. 

Helen B. and Lawrence O. Cannon Awards

Spring Semester - two awards of $1,000 each

One award will go to a student in the humanities, arts, social sciences, business or education. A second scholarship will be awarded to a student in science, math, engineering, or technology.The award is open to students in all majors who are pursuing a Departmental Honors degree and planning to complete their senior thesis/project the following academic year; the selection committee will determine into which category to place applicants.

The winners of the Cannon and Alder Awards will be honored at a luncheon. Students should plan to attend.

Initiated in 2004 and 2007, respectively, the Helen B. and Lawrence O. Cannon Awards are tributes to two superb teachers and mentors, with awards made possible through the generosity of their family and friends.  Helen B. Cannon first came to USU as a graduate instructor in 1987.  In 1990 she became a temporary lecturer and remained with the department of English for 13 years.  Lawrence O. Cannon is a long-time professor, whose contributions to students and science are significant and impressive.  Many Honors students fondly remember his class on "Godel, Escher, and Bach." 

Mary-Marie Sullivan
Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2006 Awardee 

The merit-based Cannon Awards go to two Honors students, who have acquired distinguished track records and who show exceptional promise for future excellence.  Each award is disbursed in two installments: half of the award paid just prior to the semester in which the student is enrolled

for Honors thesis credit, and the balance upon graduation, contingent on completion of Departmental Honors.  The awardees are selected by a panel convened by the Director of Honors. 

Criteria include: 

• Overall academic merit; GPA; other honors or awards, especially an URCO award;
• Likelihood the student will graduate with Departmental (or University) Honors;
• Submission of a formal Honors thesis proposal to the Honors Office
• Likelihood the student will graduate with Honors in University Studies;
• Likelihood of student applying for a national scholarship such as the Marshall, Javits, Truman, Mellon, Goldwater, or Goddard;
• Evidence of significant original work, such as art work exhibited, research presented at a conference, essay published in a journal;
• Coherent future plans that involve some contribution to making the world a better place. This might be accomplished through further study/research in the discipline, public service employment or law/medicine in the public interest, an advance in beneficial technology.
• A 500-word or longer thesis proposal that outlines past relevant work, proposed thesis work and future work that builds on the thesis. Applicants should include a review of literature and/or illustrations where appropriate;
• A strong letter of endorsement from a faculty mentor, which addresses the likely quality of the thesis work and the applicant's future prospects.

Applications must be submitted to the Honors office (Old Main 15) by the deadline.

The application packet should include: a letter of application, which addresses the criteria outlined above; a current transcript (an unofficial, BANNER transcript is acceptable): a thesis proposal, and a confidential* letter of support. (*The faculty mentor may send the letter of support to Honors Program, UMC 1438.  If the student delivers the letter, it should be sealed and signed across the seal by the faculty mentor.)

Joyce Kinkead Outstanding Honors Scholar Award

Made possible by the generosity of David and Terry Peak

This award is given annually to a graduating Honors student who has made significant progress on an Honors thesis of merit. The award shall be given to a student who has submitted an approved final thesis proposal and who is making good progress towards the thesis. The student should also have a strong record of Honors contracts and a high GPA.

Heers Honors Study Abroad Scholarship

Spring Semester - one award of $500
Made possible by the generosity of Art and Mary Heers

Eligible students are Honors students in good standing, in their second or third year. (Not open to first-year students.) Applicants' record of service to Honors will be taken into consideration.

Applications consist of student letter of application, unofficial transcript, evidence of acceptance or application to a study abroad program, and a letter of recommendation.

Your letter of application should detail: the destination country and institution you're planning on attending; how the scholarship will help you (how you plan to use the money); how the study abroad program fits into your overall academic plans and your long-term plans; any previous study abroad or experience abroad; any special elements of your study abroad experience, such as home stays, work or internship experience, language acquisition, etc. If you are going to a country in which the first language is not English, please comment on your level of proficiency in the language or how you plan to learn the language.

Applications consist of student letter of application, unofficial transcript, evidence of acceptance or application to a study abroad program, and a letter of recommendation.

Your letter of application should detail: the destination country and institution you're planning on attending; how the scholarship will help you (how you plan to use the money); how the study abroad program fits into your overall academic plans and your long-term plans; any previous study abroad or experience abroad; any special elements of your study abroad experience, such as home stays, work or internship experience, language acquisition, etc. If you are going to a country in which the first language is not English, please comment on your level of proficiency in the language or how you plan to learn the language.

Suggested guidelines for recommenders: Please comment specifically on the applicant's motivation, emotional maturity and stability, independence, academic abilities, and goals as they relate to the study abroad proposal. Please pay particular attention to the candidate's ability to relate his/her study abroad experience to their academic goals. Your impressions of the student's ability to adapt to a different cultural environment, his/her linguistic preparation, and any other factors which you believe may have a bearing on the candidate's successful experience abroad would also be useful.

Your letter of application and the recommendation letter should be addressed to Dr. Christie Fox, Honors Director; 1438 Old Main Hill. If you deliver your recommendation letter yourself, please ask your recommender to sign the seal of the envelope.

Katherine Shakespeare
Interdisciplinary Studies

Morse Scholarship

Spring - one award of $500
Applications accepted each spring semester

Drs. Joseph G. and Karen W. Morse established the Morse Scholarship to assist future generations of students in the Honors Program at Utah State University. Joe and Karen came to USU in 1968. While at USU, Joe was Director of the University Honors Program and Associate Professor of Chemistry. He received his BS from South Dakota State College and his MS and PhD from the University of Michigan. Dr. Karen Morse formerly served as USU's Provost and now serves as President of Western Washington University.

Eligible students are Honors students in good standing, in their junior year, working toward either University Honors or Departmental Honors with Honors in University Studies, and lacking other scholarship support.

Applications must include: a one-page narrative statement addressing academic objectives, activity in Honors, probable senior thesis topic, and post-graduation plans.

The awardee is selected by a panel convened by the Honors Director. Applications will be evaluated based upon eligibility criteria and the promise of outstanding academic achievement as indicated by Honors courses taken and planned; the intended senior thesis; and the pattern excellence in university courses.