Eagle Scholars Honors Program | University of Northwestern, St. Paul
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Eagle Honors Scholars at Symposium

Eagle Scholars Honors Program

If you are looking for a collegiate community that will broaden your intellectual horizons, deepen your Christian faith, and reward your academic strengths, Northwestern’s Eagle Scholars Honor Program may be for you.

Apply for the Honors Program and become an Eagle Scholar

Honors students are “interested in everything” and strive for excellence. We seek students who value strong academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, leadership and engagement, and a mission to serve God and others.

Eagle Scholars Honors Scholarship

Students accepted to the Honors Program receive one of Northwestern's most prestigious academic scholarships!

See Financial Aid for details
The Honors Program community extends beyond those who are currently enrolled. Achievement of graduates inspires me to pursue ambitious goals. The accolades and adventures of alumni are many and diverse–awards, jobs at prestigious companies, publications, enrollment in graduate programs, company startups, and cross-cultural experiences. I am inspired by their success.
Elizabeth Donaldson
Department of Biology & Biochemistry, 2018

Benefits and Opportunities

There's more to the Honors program than just the scholarship. Eagle Scholars enjoy these opportunities too:

  • Enjoy friendships with like-minded students
  • Work one-on-one with a professor/mentor
  • Conduct individual research in advanced topics
  • Present at the Minnesota Collegiate Honors Symposium
  • Have permission to register early for classes each semester
  • Take challenging and stimulating honors courses
  • Gain preparation for graduate school, internships, and jobs
  • Assemble a competitive resume based upon experience
  • Sharpen critical thinking, argumentation, and presentation skills
  • Receive special recognition at graduation
  • Receive transcript notation showing graduation from an honors program
    My first year as an eagle scholar has pushed me to be better and has given me a lot of confidence in my own ability as a student. It has started me on the right path for applying to medical school, and it has shown me the value that good critical thinking skills can bring to a conversation.
    Dominick J., 2019 Eagle Scholar

    What do Eagle Scholars do while they are in the Honors Program?

    Eagle Scholars are involved in a variety of activities while they are in the Honors Program, including the following:

    • Honors Seminar. Eagle Scholars share their scholarly projects, report and discuss recent world events, practice their argumentation skills, enjoy outdoor small-group discussions during Walking and Talking sessions, attend professional development sessions, go on field trips, and share time for devotion and prayer. Eagle Scholars participate in fifteen hours of Honors Seminar opportunities per semester and can select which sessions they attend.
    • Honors Courses. Northwestern offers a range of stimulating honors courses, many of which satisfy Core Curriculum requirements. Honors courses have smaller class sizes, emphasize discussion, provide opportunities for in-depth research, and allow students to engage at a more advanced level.
    • Honors Components. Upper-level Eagle Scholars undertake independent research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
    • Minnesota Collegiate Honors Symposium. Eagle Scholars and other honors students from across Minnesota present their research at this Northwestern-sponsored academic conference, held each spring. Eagle Scholars serve as the conference staff.

    Challenging Honors Courses

    My experience in the Honors Program has broadened my horizons in all areas of life. I learned and practiced different methods of defending my faith, I began critically analyzing world events, and I became interested in everything.
    Josiah O., 2021 Eagle Scholar
    • Honors Topics in Art Appreciation
    • Honors Spiritual Formation
    • Honors New Testament History and Literature
    • Honors Progress of Redemption
    • Honors Colloquium
    • Honors Systematic Theology
    • Honors Topics in Biology
    • Honors Public Speaking
    • Honors Composition
    • Honors Critical Thinking and Writing
    • Honors History of Western Civilization
    • Honors Topics in Literature
    • Honors Topics in Philosophy
    • Honors Topics in Old/New Testament
    • Honors Old Testament History and Literature I: Law & History
    • Honors Old Testament History and Literature II: Poetry & Prophecy

    *Northwestern students who are not officially admitted into the Eagle Scholars Honors Program may still take honors courses. Any honors courses taken are designated as such on the college transcript.

    Need more details?

    Check out our honors program frequently asked questions.

    Honors FAQs

    What are the requirements?

    Check out our program requirements to become an Eagle Scholar.

    Honors Application Process

    Questions about the Honors Program?

    We would love to connect with you!

    Steven P. Harthorn, Ph.D.

    Director, Eagle Scholars Honors Program
    Professor of English

    651-628-3260

    spharthorn@unwsp.edu

    Read Full Bio

    Lynae Wingate

    Office Coordinator

    651-286-7460

    ltwingate@unwsp.edu

    Read Full Bio

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