Scholars Program

Information

Characteristics of Scholars Academy Member

If you are a student who has:

• A curiosity about the world and a desire to study it in the spirit of critical inquiry,
• A passion for learning and challenging yourself academically,
• A belief in the transforming power and practical uses of education,
• An ability to work both independently and also collaboratively with other students and with faculty,

Then the Lewis University Scholars Academy is a program for you.

Guiding Principles
The Scholars Academy is guided by the University Mission and also by the characteristics of an engaged university and student body. As defined by the National Survey of Student Engagement, the qualities of a superior undergraduate education include:

• A high level of academic challenge
• Numerous opportunities for active and collaborative learning
• Plentiful interactions between students and faculty members
• Opportunities for enriching out-of-classroom experiences
• A supportive campus environment

Through its program of course contracts and out-of-class activities, the Scholars Academy promotes an engaged education.

Two Tracks Within the Scholars Academy
In Fall of 2004 the Scholars Academy introduced a new track called The Connections Program which is a general education cohort program for first year students. The Connections Program provides another way for some students to meet their course-based requirements. All students – whether in Connections or in the traditional track (which has been in place since 1996) must meet the Scholars Activity Requirements.

The Traditional Track: The Contract Option	The Connections Track: The General Education Cohort Option
+ Scholars Activities
Result = The Scholars Diploma

 

The Contract Option
Contracts are special projects done in general education courses and/or courses in the major. They provide opportunities for you to satisfy a curiosity and to pursue a special interest within the boundaries of the course. They also provide opportunities for working closely with the course instructor. You are encouraged to take the initiative in defining the course project, finding the intersection between the domain of the course and their own particular interests. Although most contracts result in a formal academic paper, you are urged to consider poster presentations, performances, peer-teaching and other more experimental options. Since the inception of the program, more than 100 faculty members have offered contracts in over 200 courses. Thus, almost any course is a Scholars course.

You can apply for admission to the Contract Option at any time provided you are eligible (see below). It is generally advisable that you have at least four semesters remaining at Lewis if you hope to complete the requirements. Thus, the program is open to transfer students who enter Lewis with a community college associates degree or fewer than 72 hours from one or more other colleges and universities.

The Connections Program Option
This option is a by-invitation option. If you are an academically talented student, you will be invited to apply to take a series of paired courses during your first four semesters.

• The courses are required general education courses. (No additional course work is required.) A literature course might be paired with a fine arts course; a theology course might be paired with a philosophy course. More than 50% of the total general education requirements are taken outside the program
• The courses are taught in consecutive time blocks, thus enabling flexible use of class time
• The courses are taught in pairs, and the instructors of the courses plan carefully to increase the connections between the courses
• Because all courses are writing intensive, you are exempted from College Writing I, the first of two required writing courses
• If you are admitted into the program, you will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for a second year
• You will be able to register early for courses.

If you are seeking admission to this program, you must demonstrate readiness to enter the second level writing course by producing a writing sample. You must also demonstrate readiness to work productively in interactive classrooms by participating in a small group discussion. These demonstrations are done on campus at various times during the spring semester and in summer orientation as specified in your letter of invitation.

Scholars Activities
The out-of-class scholars activities take a variety of different forms:

• On-campus colloquia, special academic events that explore stimulating ideas like creativity or topical issues like affirmative action and American foreign policy.
• "City-as-text" experiences which give you the opportunity to explore the cultural and social variety of the Chicago region and other great American cities. In past years, scholars have had the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum in Washington, to explore Pilsen, one of Chicago's most historically interesting neighborhoods, and to attend special exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Small-scale explorations through attendance at the University's Arts & Ideas events featuring presentations by Lewis faculty and outside speakers.

In addition, you may fulfill activities requirements through:

• Attendance and presentations at meetings of the Honors Council of the Illinois Region and the National Collegiate Honors Council
• Participation in service outreach programs
• Study abroad experiences

The Scholars Academy creates its learning community mainly through these activities and also through several social events each year.

Levels of Distinction
Currently there are two levels of distinction that you can aspire to: the scholars diploma and the distinguished scholars diploma. Each plateau is characterized by a set number of contracts and activity units. To achieve the scholars diploma, you need to complete the general education courses in The Connections Program or the five contracts. Additionally, all program participants need to earn 30 units of activity credit. The distinguished scholars diploma requires additional contracts and activities units.

Recognition
You are honored through recognition at college awards events, at the University's graduation ceremonies, and on your final transcript.. Outstanding student scholars in individual departments are honored as are students who provide considerable service to the program. In addition, recognition is given to outstanding faculty participation in the program and to distinguished student and faculty scholars.

The Administration of the Program
The program is administered by a 15-member Scholars Council made up of faculty, administrators and students. The seven-member Student Caucus advises the director and provides program support.

Admission to the Program
The process for admission to the Contract Option is simple. In an essay of 400-500 words, describe an experience that in a powerful way changed your way of looking at the world. The experience might be in the form of a reading, a visit to an unfamiliar place, an encounter with a stimulating person, or a deep conversation with a good friend.

Please be sure that your name, campus or home address, and your social security number is at the upper right hand corner of the first page of the essay.

You can submit this essay at any time. Using conventional or electronic mail, send it to the Scholars Academy director.

Eligibility for and Continuation in the Program
If you are a first-year student, you are eligible if you have a high school GPA of 3.25 and a score of 24 or above on the ACT. First-year students who have a high school GPA of 3.0 and an ACT of 21 or above can be provisionally admitted.

If you are a returning student or a transfer student, you are eligible for admission if you have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 after two semesters of college-level work

Once admitted, you remain an official member if you participate in the Introduction-To-The-Program Colloquia (scheduled at the beginning of every semester), maintain a 3.25 GPA, and make satisfactory progress toward the completion of program requirements.

One audit meeting per year and a graduation exit interview with the director are required.

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