We Make the Honors College

As Honors College students, we may be tempted to think that we are defined by our program. However, I have recently been exploring the idea that it is completely the opposite. What if we, as students, define the honors program?

The Honors College is designed so that we can participate in higher-level courses that interrogate deeper issues. We are able to focus on ethics, service, leadership and research in the yearly symposiums. We are given resources beyond just these classes, however, to utilize and make the most of our time in the Honors College.

Given all these facts, it can be tempting to autopilot your way through the Honors College and be satisfied with the honors designation on your diploma. However, as I asked earlier, what if we defined the honors program and stretched our minds even further than we could imagine?

What if we utilized what we learned in our Ethics Symposium throughout the summer and did our own studies into what we believed? What if we dedicated our time to service in our church, community and school with the same motivation and vigor that we wish to keep in the symposiums? What if we went above and beyond simply taking leadership roles in our junior spring semester and instead were known for being servant leaders everywhere we went? Finally, what if we dissected and researched every idea that we interacted with, rather than just confining those skills to the senior symposium?

As Christians, we are called to a higher standard. My mother always has said, “If anything is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” This extends to a Christian’s response to whatever task falls in their lap or even one that lies out of reach.

Let us not become complacent, even as students under the designation of the Honors College. Colossians 3 talks about how we must put on the new self in Christ Jesus.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

We are called to a higher calling!

Grand Canyon University’s Honors College offers academically enriching opportunities to bright, passionate, ambitious and motivated students. To learn more, visit our website or request more information by using the button at the top of the page.

More about Kara Sutton:

Kara Sutton is a junior at Grand Canyon University majoring in English. She was raised in North Carolina and moved to Phoenix for her first year at GCU. She has constantly been involved in speech and debate activities and she loves to write in her many journals. She also is very interested in other cultures and has traveled multiple times to different areas of Asia. Over her short time in Arizona, Kara has been able to establish strong friendships and hopes to continue those in the years to come. She is hoping to become a journalist or ESL teacher once she graduates.