APU Honors College

The Honors College had a wonderful time hosting the Understanding Bandersnatch event with our esteemed professor and author of the text, Dr. Diana Glyer.

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In July and August, incoming students of the Class of 2028 participated in an online, colloquy-style discussion of the creative collaboration of The Inklings, world-renown scholars whose literary contributions have changed the world of the liberal arts and humanities. Throughout the discussion, students were introduced into the style of learning that the Honors College embodies, and how one can be a resonator in their environment, enhancing both individual and group writing talent.

As you see these pictures from the event, we encourage you to send us some pictures of you with your Bandersnatch at any fun location on your way to APU! We would love to add to Dr. Glyer’s office wall collection of amazing Honors students and their Bandersnatches! Help us make history with the most submissions this year!

Use the link in our bio to show off your Bandersnatch!

Hi APU! Join us on Wednesday, April 24th from 10:30–11:30 AM in the LAPC for a special celebration of Honors College Director Curtis Isozaki. We’ll be blessing his transition out of APU with speeches, snacks, and an “aloha.”

Wear your Hawaiian shirts! You can RSVP today at the link in our bio.

Words cannot express our immense gratitude for all the support extended to our students and community within the Honors College at . Your generosity during has been truly remarkable, and you have played a significant role in shaping the Honors College experience for us all.

APU as a whole has raised more than $350,000 and over 1,600 donors have made gifts! WOW! As the Honors College, we are excited to share that we received an incredible turnout of over 40 donors, who collectively raised nearly $7,000 to support our Honors community. This is all thanks to your amazing giving! And if you missed out, you can still give today by clicking the link in our bio!

Your generosity has far-reaching impacts; none of this would be possible without your support. As we embark on the 2024/2025 academic year, know that your contributions have made a tangible difference in our community’s lives.

Thank you for being part of our journey and for embodying the spirit of making a difference, one day at a time. One Day. One Purpose. Make a Difference.

Get ready to join the excitement as we celebrate not one but two incredible milestones –
APU’s 125th anniversary and the Honors College’s 10th anniversary! 🎉

Mark your calendars for April 9, 2024, because it’s more than just another day – it’s APU Giving Day 2024! 🙌 This is our chance to unite as a community, fueled by generosity and gratitude, and be part of the incredible journey God is leading at

As we reflect on the past, we’re reminded of the countless acts of sacrifice and generosity that have sparked miraculous transformations within the Honors College community. 🌟 Let’s continue this legacy of developing disciples, scholars, citizens, and leaders!

Join us in honoring the rich traditions and academic excellence of the Honors College by participating in Giving Day. 📚

Click the link in our bio to make your gift count towards shaping the future of our community. Select “Honors College” from the dropdown menu, and let’s make history together! Thank you for your support! 🎓💙

Congratulations to my dear colleague, friend, & hero Diana Pavlac Glyer who was awarded the 2024 Mary Hill Award! She is a renowned author, speaker, and Inklings scholar who loves serving students as a professor in the Honors College at Azusa Pacific University!

She has made a vocational impact on my leadership & life through her deep love for collaboration, hospitality, & creativity inspired by the Inkling’s “culture of resonators.” It has informed our Honors College Leadership Team’s key characteristics: collaborating strategically, leading generously, and caring exceptionally for the Honors College community. Propelled by our telos, our leadership team seeks to cultivate resonators in our community who show interest, give feedback, express praise, offer encouragement, contribute practical help, and promote the work of others. Beyond thankful for your foundational impact on my life, every day!

Our event at Azusa Pacific University also featured an interview with Joni Eareckson Tada, an inspirational speaker and founder of the nonprofit, Joni and Friends, an organization dedicated to serving people with disabilities with practical help and the saving love of Jesus across the globe.

Professionally & personally, I was reminded that our inconveniences in life are not detours, they are highways that take us beyond what we could ever imagine.

We had the best time celebrating the Class of 2025 during this year’s Honors Scholar Celebration during Homecoming at ! We’re so thrilled to honor those who have completed the Honors College core curriculum. Thanks to everyone who made this event so special! 📸:

Our community would not be the same without all of you! There are no words & actions to fully express the amount of appreciation that we have for the staff team at . Thanks for being such a gift! Sending all of the love & good vibes! 🎁🎉💕

Congratuations to all of our Trustees Finalists at ! Such an unforgettable Trustees Scholarship Week with over 200 students on campus, including 20+ international students from countries such as Cambodia, Korea, Thailand, & Lebanon.

Together, we experienced the with a dicussion on friendship, engaged in a LEGO Serious Play workshop on leadership with , wrote a letter to our future selves, met amazing new friends through student life & academic programs, & enjoyed a night of celebration with the President’s Cabinet & the Board of Trustees at our annual Trustees Banquet. We cannot wait to see you all back on campus in the Fall!

You’re Invited // Our entire Honors College is invited to the Honors College Scholar Celebration to celebrate our , Class of 2024, & Class of 2025!!! You are not going to want to miss such a great event!!!

We are excited for our second annual Honors College Scholar Celebration to celebrate our Honors & completion of the Honors Core Classes for the Class of 2024 & Class of 2025.

Join us for a great event. Check your emails for more details & don’t forget to register by clicking the link in the bio!!! If you are unable to make it, we will be live-streaming the event for families, parents, & friends of the Honors College.

At Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College, students engage with some of life’s Great Questions through Great Conversations where they read Great Books to solve for the world’s Greatest Challenges. There is nothing like the Honors College in the world, TODAY! ⁉️🗣️📚🌎

We are the most student-centered, mission-driven, vocation-centric, & diverse model of Christian Liberal Arts Education that you have been waiting to discover & experience for yourself. You will NOT find in anywhere else! 💕

Join a community dedicated to becoming difference makers who will make an impact in every sphere of society both locally & globally! ✨

It’s time to say goodbye to the stuffy, stale, and superficial honors program experience of old. While our Honors College will prepare virtuous leaders for the real world, there isn’t only one way of doing so.

Over the last ten years &
students have shared that academic challenge, small class size, deep discussion, spiritual & personal growth, like-minded community, leadership development, no exams or busywork, vocational development, double major, & engaging with diverse perspectives are the top ten reasons why they were interested in the Honors College & chose to attend .

We are excited to celebrate this coming year in 2024 our 10 year anniversary as an Honors College as a part of the 125th year of .

Why haven’t you applied to the Honors College? Apply to the Honors College & secure your spot TODAY!

International Voices: Madey Sule ’27 reflects love in every space she’s in. From Nigeria, Madey chose to study engineering because she desires to give back to her country and develop ways to improve life, such as creating better means of food transportation.

“While I was privileged enough to not have to worry often about the power going out, not having running water, or having to wash my clothes by hand, these are common occurrences in Nigeria, and I want to be able to give back to the people and country I love.”

Read Madey’s story: https://www.apu.edu/articles/international-voices-madey-sule-27-reflects-the-love-of-god-her-family-in-all-her-endeavors/.

It’s been a long time coming… ✨

Join us in Mary Hill on Friday, February 2 at 5 PM for our an after hours colloquy — Taylor’s Version!

Here’s what to expect:

💓 Fun
🍿 Food
👯‍♀️ Friends
🗣️ Good conversation

…and a night you’ll remember all too well. 🧣

RSVP in the email we sent to your APU account. Can’t wait to see you there!

Event announcement tomorrow. Are you ready for it?

Drop your predictions in the comments! ✨

Our community in the has so much love for you, Jollyfisher, & your family. Thank you so much for your love, passion, joy, laugh, & friendship with everyone you meet! You will be truly missed as your legacy permeates our campus & marks our community! Sending you our heartfelt love & remembrance of our friendship & journey together!

Much love Jollyfisher & the Ekpe Family from your Admissions Counselor & the family 💕

Join the & after chapel (until 1:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, January 10th and Friday, January 12th (both in UTCC) together to pray, process, & gather as a community.

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A tribute to Jollyfisher Ekpe.

A few words to describe Jolly: Joy. Profound love.
Presence.

Jolly used his time to lead countless worship nights and play on the Global chapel band, along with serving in the local community at the Church of the Open Door in Glendora.

Jolly’s heart for APU, the community, and Jesus has marked a lot of us in such a unique way. Jolly carried a deep love for Christ that remains in everyone he interacted with. His innate ability to see others with care and lead from a place of love demonstrated a rare depth of compassion, creating a legacy that encourages us all to approach life with that same empathy and kindness.

As we enter into this new semester of chapel, service, and discipleship, we are inspired by Jolly and the way he lived his life like Jesus. His presence and contribution across campus will be greatly missed and not forgotten.

If you’d like to join us in prayer or processing, we have opportunities after chapel (until 1:30 p.m.) on Wednesday, January 10th and Friday, January 12th (both in UTCC).

For those who would like to process and/or pray with university staff, please consider utilizing the University Counseling Center and the Spiritual Life team.

Everyone, Honors Portfolio season is upon us! Come join fellow Honors students in WYNN 2 on Wednesday, December 13th, from 7-10pm for a portfolio cram session with free hot chocolate!

Whether you need time to collaborate, do grammar checks, design artwork, vocal process, or complete focused ear-bud-in-work, this is a space for that. If you do not have any portfolio work to do, you are more than welcome to come and use the space as a general study area. See you there!

The Honors College at is a pillar of excellence in higher education.

For over 30+ years, the Honors mission has been to educate the next generation of disciples, scholars, leaders, & scholars who will make an impact in every sphere of society locally & globally. We are one of the most diverse Honors College in the nation, with an engaging curriculum that leads to life transformation in the lives of every member of our community.
• 95% Honors College Student Retention Rate
• 2x Higher Diversity Rates Than the National Average for Honors Colleges
• 30+ Oxbridge Books Published by Honors Undergraduate Students
• 2 Oxbridge Books Selected for Commercial Publication
• 22% of APU Student Leaders are Honors College Students

Read more about the APU Honors College’s distinction as a “Hidden Gem” by clicking the link in the bio.

At Azusa Pacific University’s Honors College, students are taught in small, discussion-based classes that utilize the Great Works of literature, art, philosophy, and theology—no exams or secondary textbooks required. This highly collaborative Honors College is a tight-knit community of disciples, scholars, leaders, & citizens who learn how to make a difference alongside their peers and professors.

It’s time to say goodbye to the stuffy, stale, and superficial honors program experience of old. While our Honors College will prepare virtuous leaders for the real world, there isn’t only one way of doing so.

Over the last ten years & students have shared that academic challenge, small class size, deep discussion, spiritual & personal growth, like-minded community, leadership development, no exams or busywork, vocational development, double major, & engaging with diverse perspectives are the top ten reasons why they were interested in the Honors College & chose to attend .

We are excited to celebrate this coming year in 2024 our 10 year anniversary as an Honors College as a part of the 125th year of .

Why did you decide to apply for the Honors College? Share a memory that has impacted you during your time in the Honors College.

Learn why this is “Not Your Typical Honors College” by reading this timeless article (Click the Link in the Bio).

“Thank you all for giving me the best school experience of my life…I never knew this kind of life was possible, an immersion in great people, great books, and great conversation,” he said. “It is my life now, and I truly cannot believe it. I am so happy that I am living that life at APU.” Koranda said he is sad that this semester in Weeks’ colloquy is over, but he is excited for the next seven semesters in honors. “This journey is one that I am absolutely sure will transform me.”

For over 30+ years, the Honors College’s mission has been to educate the next generation of disciples, scholars, leaders, & scholars who will make an impact in every sphere of society locally & globally. We are the most diverse Honors College in the nation, with an engaging curriculum that leads to life transformation in the lives of every member of our community.

We hope that this article is helpful for incoming students & friends of the Honors College.

Learn more about the Honors College at Azusa Pacific University at https://www.apu.edu/articles/the-freshmen-honors-experience-transforming-together/ (Click the Link in the Bio)

That’s a wrap on the 2023 Shoestring Soirée! We had the best time celebrating the talent of the . See you next year! 🔍🐾

Well done, & ! Such a remarkable production & cast for Rodger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella!!!

You were all so incredible!!! huge shoutout to .fountain
zion & so many others!

Join us for the annual 2023 Honors College Shoestring Soirée on October 28, 2023 at 7PM! This will be a night of live performances, art, dessert, and a mystery to be solved. . .

Come in your semi-formal attire ready to have a wonderful time with friends! Be on the lookout for more clues and communications in the coming weeks.

Unbelievably impressed by the rigorous scholarship & transformational research presented by these Honors College Scholars at the 2023 STEM Research Symposium at with the & !
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APU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences hosted the 2023 STEM Research Symposium on Saturday, giving students in the departments of Biology and Chemistry, Engineering, and Math, Physics, and Statistics the opportunity to share their research under guidance of faculty mentors.

More than 100 students, alumni, faculty, staff, family, and friends attended the symposium to see student research presentations and panel discussions, further bolstering APU's STEM reputation as the only CCCU institution with a Carnegie R2 research designation.

The Frederick Douglass Fellows, led by Abbylin Sellers, Ph.D., consisting of students from the Department of History and Political Science with and the at , spent the day in the National Archives. They toured the Ronald Reagan Library Museum as well as the special exhibit on Auschwitz.

The archival research consisted of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979. The documents the Fellows looked at related specifically to Afghanistan and the administration's involvement with the freedom fighters, Mujahideen, chemical weapons, and the Soviet Union withdrawal strategy. Looking forward to more events throughout the year!

Looking back on a memorable Honors Orientation with the Class of 2027 as a part of Welcome Weekend 2023 at ! We loved launching several new traditions as a part of the 125th at APU & the 10th anniversary of the .

Enjoy looking back on these memories & feel free to share these photos with your friends by clicking the link in the bio.

📸: &

Looking forward to countless memories together at this year, starting with Honors Orientation & Welcome Weekend!
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Get ready to meet many of your lifelong friends, mentors, & office across campus.

Here are five practical steps to prepare for Honors Orientation:

1) Download the APU Now app & add all of the Honors College events onto your schedule.
2) Review your Welcome Weekend Digital Gift from the Honors College in your email inbox
3) Take many photos & tag the & with the hashtag &
4) Pack your Hawaiian Shirt for the Friday of Honors Orientation
5) Getting ready to make new friends!

Let the Honors College Orientation & Welcome Weekend Countdown begin at as we reflect on many great memories over the year!

Can’t believe that the Class of 2024 are now seniors! We are going to cherish every moment this year with this wonderful class. Much love!

We had the best time celebrating our students at the first ever Scholar Celebration! Here are some of the shots our students took on disposable cameras at the event 📸 Go check out all the photos at the link in our bio!

Our Student Spotlight series seeks to highlight the amazing students we have at APU and how they're being equipped to become difference makers in the world. Avery Burn '24, a nursing and honors humanities student, is passionate about advocating for students with mental health challenges, disabilities, and chronic illnesses.

Read Avery's story at https://www.apu.edu/articles/avery-burn-24-sharing-gods-love-through-nursing/.

Really special congratulations to all of you for completing your Honors Humanities Minor, Major, & publishing your Oxbridge books.

The Oxbridge Tutorial project creates a space to engage in scholarly collaboration that results in a published book. Students form deep, meaningful friendships throughout their experience as they grow together as thinkers, writers, leaders, and lovers of truth.

We present the five books written by the class of 2023 in the at .

• Homebound: Discovery and Relationships in Their Eyes Were Watching God.
Editor – Joseph Bentz, Ph.D.

• Letters from Jack: Practical Advice from the Pen of C. S. Lewis
Editor – Diana Pavlac Glyer, Ph.D.

• What Was God To Do?: Incarnation and Salvation according to Athanasius
Editor – Matthew Rothaus Moser, Ph.D.

• The Other Side of Silence: Sympathy and Social Convention in George Eliot’s Middlemarch Editor – Christopher Noble, Ph.D.

• This Place Could Be Beautiful: Marilynne Robinson’s Parables of the Mundane Editor – Caleb D. Spencer, Ph.D.

Special congratulations to for the Aristotle Friendship Award, .3 for the Servant Leadership Award, Emmalyn Morgan for the Compass Award for the Best Oxbridge Essay, .catherine_ & Emily Gottry for the Academic Achievement Award, Blaise Ebiner & for the Gerald Wilson Award, & Emily Gottry for the Cicero Oratory Award.