Cheri Ackerman is a junior from Holland, MI.

"Calvin's Honors Program has provided the opportunity for me to study the current applications of the biology and psychology we are learning in class. It has also provided the opportunity for me to get to know my professors better which is valuable when asking for letters of recommendation and help with classes."

Kelsey Bushhouse is a senior from Wheaton, IL.

"The Calvin Honors Program has helped me to dive deeper in particular subjects and gain a better perspective of God's world. I've also been able to establish better relationships with the honors professors and the students in the small class sizes, which have helped open the door to many exciting opportunities."

Aaron Eising is a junior from Flushing, MI.

"I've greatly appreciated my experience with the Honors Program, short as it has been so far. One of the primary reasons is that Honors courses are almost always filled with people who want to be in that specific class, making the entire class experience much better."

Ben Faulkner is a junior from Simcoe, Ont.

"What I've done in the Honors Program thus far has been pretty much
the point of my college career: further inquiry into academic areas of
interest. From writing about fascinating topics, to getting to know other Honors students and bouncing ideas off of them, to meeting one-on-one with my professors and getting real insight into my field. . . It's all been there for me. What makes Calvin's Honors Program so unique is the fact that in it, the sky's the limit. It gives you that edge you need to be a more positive and prepared infiltrator of our world."

Griffin Jackson is a junior from Kalamazoo, MI.

"The Honors Program is another way to elevate my learning experience here at Calvin. I really feel like my Honors classes have pushed my views, tested my thinking, and developed my understanding in unique and interesting ways."

Ashley Luse is a senior from Wheaton, IL.

"This semester, I am collaborating with my Finance professor to write a research paper on Socially Responsible Investing that will be published in 2009. Honors experiences like this have enabled me to deepen my relationships with professors and simultaneously build credentials that will impress future employers and grad schools."

Luke McRae is a sophomore from Oshawa, ONT.

"My experience with Calvin's honours cluster courses has been extremely positive. Having the same small group of classmates for both courses has built a close, enthusiastic community: invaluable in that awkward first semester. The professors are superb, and the way they cause their respective courses to interact makes for a unique and academically vigorous program."

"Living in the honours community has been both exciting and academically stimulating. As I had hoped, the floor was populated with intelligent people who offered both a great studying environment, and shared a common academic motivation. What I did not expect was the fun that large concentrations of smart people can have. Whether arguing politics in our always-popular lobby or challenging other floors to midnight games of capture the flag, the honours community makes for a tight fellowship of enthusiastic students."

Ben Shoemaker is a senior from Grand Rapids, MI.

"I took my speech CAS 101 class with Bytwerk in an Honors section and found it to be one of my favorite classes. The class was different because the prof felt more comfortable with us because he knew we would put forth a great effort. In some ways he had higher expectations but then he also kept telling us how much he appreciated our effort (because we are honors students). We had a smaller class so we were able to do a lot more than the normal class. He also let us do more of the "fun" stuff because he knew Honors students would be keeping up on their work so he would be able to skip some of the stuff the normal class has to do. We also went to a nice African restuarant at the end of class!"

"I also took an Honor's Biology class with Prof. Bonnema and liked how we could really go in depth on things in a small group setting. I felt a lot more comfortable to ask questions and really learned a lot more outside of the main class!"

Hannah Stump is a junior from Findlay, OH.

"My honors classes at Calvin have introduced me to many new topics related to my field of study and have provided a richer understanding for my other classes. I appreciate the smaller class sizes that allow for more discussions and group interactions."

Christie Timmer is a sophomore from Byron Center, MI.

"Being part of the honors program at Calvin has been an amazing experience for me. It has opened the doors to new friendships with peers who enjoy being academically challenged and are as curious about the world and eager to learn as I am. In a literal sense, the honors program has opened professor's doors. I have become much better aquianted with my honors professors because of small class size and a lot of interaction. Honors classes have allowed me to use my God-given talents and develop my mind more fully to better prepare me for my future career as well as life in general."

Emily Tuuk is a senior from Grand Rapids, MI.

"I've had two honors sections (Philosophy and Oral Rhetoric) and worked
independently on a research paper for a Business class. Without a doubt, these have been among the most challenging, yet most beneficial and personally gratifying experiences I've had at Calvin. Being around like-minded students who truly are passionate about learning and want to fully engage themselves provides for a wonderful class atmosphere. When I look back at the past couple years at Calvin, Honors classes particularly
stand out in my mind because they pushed me to really think and truly apply myself. Getting to know professors better than in a regular class is another aspect I appreciate a lot. It's a delight to be a part of the program and I hope many future students take advantage as well."

Testimonials from a few Honors Professors

Ken Bratt is a professor in Calvin's Classics department and has been closely involved with the Honors Program as a teacher, a committee member, and now as program director.

"From the day honors students come to campus, they are cultivated for professional and advanced work. We encourage individual research for our honors students early on. We want to ensure that by the time a student is senior, he or she will be in an advantageous position for graduate study or a career."

Kevin Corcoran is a Philosophy professor and has taught several honors Introduction to Philosophy courses.

"Teaching Honors students is an absolute delight. They are highly motivated, eager and bright. Each semester my wife and I get to know my honors students outside the classroom too by throwing a party for them at our home. It's a great opportunity to connect in ways and on levels not possible in the classroom."

Debra Rienstra teaches an English honors cluster course.

"Honors students bring a special eagerness and ambition for learning. They are ready to build the kind of learning community that creates space both for accomplishment and delight."

Lavonne Zwart teaches an honors course in Introductory Psychology.

"It is a delight to work with students who come to the class motivated to learn, keep class discussions lively, and see the assignments as a challenge to explore new areas within psychology."

Uko Zylstra is a veteran of honors teaching who has taught at Calvin for over 25 years in the Biology Department.

He enjoys teaching honors classes especially because it means "working with students who are highly motivated." In recent years more students have graduated from Calvin with honors in biology than in any other discipline.