Honors College
Discover. Experience. Thrive.
The Honors College at Southern Miss fosters a deep, communal engagement with ideas and an atmosphere of personal connection and achievement by providing students with small classes, opportunities for active learning, and research experiences.
We create a supportive and challenging intellectual community, promote attentive mentoring, and expose our students to cutting-edge scholars and artists. We encourage our students to seize opportunities and determine their own paths.
Our students graduate with the confidence to pursue their passions, the tools with which to chart a fulfilling future course, and a lifelong commitment to using their capacities for the public good.
Provocative. Creative. Life-changing. At University Forum lectures, Southern Miss
students, faculty, staff, and community members hear from and interact with some of
the most respected cultural, scientific, and artistic voices in the world. The premier
Southern Miss speaker series since 1974, University Forum lectures are open to the
public, and all students are encouraged to sign up for HON 321, a class where students
earn credit for attending University events.
Through the Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research, Honors College supports undergraduate
research and creative activity university-wide with research awards, mentoring, and
tips for success. Our yearly Undergraduate Symposium allows students to present their
work while competing for over $17,000 in prizes, made possible through the generous
contributions of Donald Drapeau and USM’s vice president for research.
The Office of Nationally Competitive Programs and Awards (NCPA) helps undergraduates,
graduate students, and USM alumni find and secure prestigious scholarships and fellowships
for study abroad, research, or graduate school. The director works with students individually
to develop professional application packages—one more way the Honors College supports
the scholarship that will build a brighter future for our students, our community,
and our world.
Each year, over 150 new students join Honors College, and over 50 more join our Keystone
Program their junior year, becoming part of our community of engaged, intellectually
curious scholars. A specialized curriculum culminating in an honors thesis ensures
our students graduate with the tools they need to chart a fulfilling future, and a
lifelong commitment to advancing the public good.
The Medallion
In this issue:
New staff introductions, The Loft, alumni spotlight: Byron Glick, student features, Music City Memories, Seminar Highlight: Religion and Empire, the Eagle SPUR grant, and more!
Learn More About the Honors College
The Honors College is composed of nearly 500 curious, imaginative, and aspiring scholars who strive for excellence, thrive on academic challenge, and serve and lead both on campus and in the community.
