Laci A Fiala, (2021) Associate Professor of Crime, Law, and Justice; Associate Professor of Sociology; Director of Eclectic Scholars
B.S., NW Missouri State University;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Nebraska - Lincoln
fialala@hiram.edu

Web address: https://www.hiram.edu/academics/honors/

Admittance:

To be considered for the Honors Program, new incoming students (high school seniors) must apply and be accepted to Hiram, have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, and complete an interview with the program director. Interviews are typically conducted online between November and May of the year prior to beginning at Hiram. Interested students may sign-up for an interview via the program website or via email invitation from the College. Students demonstrating exceptional intellectual engagement are encouraged to consider interviewing; however, the College reserves the right to limit the size of the program.

Program Overview:

Honors students challenge themselves both in curricular and co-curricular ways. They form a strong cohort and gain an understanding about how their skills and talents within their individual disciplines can cross boundaries. The program aims to help students fully prepare for the next step after graduation, especially those continuing their higher education.

After completing a one-credit introductory course, HONR 10000 INTRO INTD STUDIES ECLECT SCLR, Eclectic Scholars must take a minimum of at least one honors-designated course per academic year, selected from a wide set of choices available. These honors courses are offered across most academic disciplines and may also satisfy major or graduation requirements.

Honors students track and report their own activity to earn a minimum of 15 points per academic year, at least five of which must be curricular (a 3- or 4-credit hour honors course) and five must be co-curricular. The deadline to record all points is the last day of finals in the spring 3-week each year. The director confirms successful completion of honors coursework. Students who fail to meet these requirements each academic year are placed on honors probation. Scholars are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to remain in good standing in the program and to graduate with honors on their diploma.

Honors Points:

  • 1 point: Attending an honors event, other campus participation (non- credit bearing), serving on Student Senate, serving as a TA, club membership, attending sporting or performing arts events, and others
  • 2 points: Organizing an event, Senate officer, NCAA varsity athlete, organizing/leading an honors event, serving as an RA, passing HONR 10000
  • 3 points: Service project organizer/leader, peer mentor, honors class representative, tutor/study hall supervisor
  • 5 points: Three- and four-credit hour HNR-designated course

Honors Benefits:

Students admitted to the program can take advantage of the Eclectic Scholars Honors housing community at Henry Hall and its 24-hour private study and socializing space. Eclectic Scholars may enroll cost-free in one overload course per year with satisfactory academic performance (no grade below a B- in prior term) and are eligible for junior-status registration for one class per semester starting in their second semester at Hiram College, conditional upon their maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Recognition upon Graduation:

Eclectic Scholars Honors Program students receive the special designation, “in cursu honorum” (in a course of honors), on their diplomas. This is in addition to any other honors earned, such as cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and honors in a major. In order to graduate "in cursu honorum," a student must have completed at least three years in the Honors Program (including other honors programs, for transfers) and have a GPA of 3.3 or higher at the end of senior year. Graduating honors students are invited to take part in a celebratory dinner.

Probation:

Students not meeting outlined program expectations regarding points and GPA will be placed on probation as outlined in the Honors Student Handbook and Constitution.

Entering the Program After a Student’s First Year:

Current Hiram students who are in their first year and interested in Honors should contact the director of the Eclectic Scholars Honors Program to explore their options. Alternatively, qualifying students may also be invited to interview by the director to join in their second year. Students transferring to Hiram from another honors program may qualify to be admitted to the Honors Program with appropriate standing and also must complete an interview.

Code of Conduct:

Academic dishonesty cases with a negative judgment by the Office of the Associate Academic Dean will result in removal from the Eclectic Scholars Honors Program. This applies to the first offense. Conduct issues emanating from outside of the classroom that draw into question the personal ethics of Eclectic Scholars may also result in removal from this program, as determined via consultation between the Office of the Dean of Students and the Eclectic Scholars Advisory Board.