Flathead Valley Community College initiates new honors program

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead Valley Community College will debut a new Scholars Program this fall to give capable and motivated students rigorous cross-disciplinary studies.

Program Director Ivan Lorentzen said the program aims to stimulate able and motivated students through supported academic inquiry and discovery, according to a news release from the college.

Honors programs promote academic excellence and foster social, professional and civic responsibility while encouraging civil discussion and debate of ideas.

The community college designed the new program to allow a seamless transition to either the Davidson Honors College at The University of Montana or the Honors Program at Montana State University. Through preparation and planning, students may succeed in transferring to other honors programs at four-year colleges and universities across the nation.

Limited to 20 students, Scholars courses combine any two of the traditional academic disciplines - humanities, math, social science, fine arts and science - taught by teams of two instructors. Offered in spring and fall semesters, the classes count for three credits each.

Scholars students receive full-tuition scholarships, renewable stipends and faculty mentors. The college has set aside a study area, classroom and library as a Scholars Program Center .

Program graduates have special designations on their college transcripts and receive medallions at commencement.

Students interested in the new program may find out more at an open house from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Scholars Program Center inside the Business and Social Science Building on the Kalispell campus. The event includes a brief program at 3 p.m.

For more information, such as admissions requirements and deadlines, contact Lorentzen at 756-3864 or ilorentz@fvcc.edu, or visit www.fvcc.edu.