Honors Student, Rachel LaBrecque. Image by the Honors Program at Ferris State University.

“The biggest value of being in the Honors program for me was not so much the academic opportunities, but being able to connect with other students who values academics and wanted to try hard in their classes. I transferred into the Honors program my second semester in college so I was able to experience first hand how big of a difference there is in how people talk to each other, study, and support each other. The encouragement and support I received from the Honors program and its network of students was a huge part of my success in college.

In college, you have to do it on purpose. You have to be really intentional. Committing to being in Honors means willing to go above and beyond expectations in your classes, to take the initiative to develop yourself, and to follow your interests into a career that you’ll love. I did several Honors contracts as a replacement for the requirements my coursework wouldn’t allow me to fit in. Each one was a valuable experience because I had to take my education into my own hands and I was able to dig deeper into my chosen field.”

Honors student, Rachel LaBrecque, graduated spring 2016 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Rachel was an active member of the program and was a finalist for Outstanding Scholar. Before leaving to move on to bigger and better things, she had this to say about her experience in Honors:

Thank you, Rachel, for your contribution to the program and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!