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Pictured, from left are Centennial Honors College Director Rick Hardy, Hannah Akers, Sofija Micevic, Dana Pollina, WIU President Jack Thomas, Corgan Ball, Joshua Stinson and Danielle Adams.
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'Honors Students for a Day' Launches at WIU

December 6, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – A pilot program to show prospective college students the benefits of Western Illinois University's Centennial Honors College was launched at WIU Monday with the first six students visiting campus.

The "Honors Students for a Day" program was the idea of Centennial Honors College Director Rick Hardy. Through the program, Western students enrolled in the University's Honors College nominate high-achieving high school juniors and seniors to visit Western.

"This is something that has been on my mind for a long time," said Hardy. "We have outstanding students in the Honors College and our students often will know of other outstanding high school students before we do. This creates a pipeline of students who are interested in Western, and it's a chance for them to find out what our program is about."

During Monday's visit, students attended Hardy's Honors Presidential Leadership Class, toured campus, had lunch in a University residence hall, met with the chair of each academic department they are interested in and visited WIU President Jack Thomas, who gave the students certificates to commemorate their visit.

"We now have more than 1,000 students enrolled in the Centennial Honors College. We just reached that milestone," Thomas said.

Students toured campus with one of the University's Admissions Ambassadors.

"This program is a great way for high-achieving students to get 'a day in the life' of an Honors student," said WIU Admissions Director Seth Miner.

Three of the students attending the pilot program came from East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL; two from Cambridge High School and one from Keokuk (IA) High School.

Hannah Akers, a senior at Cambridge High School said the visit to campus reinforced her decision to attend Western next year.

"I really like the campus and I can see myself here," said Akers. "There are a lot of opportunities available to Honors College students."

Keokuk High School junior Corgan Ball was recommended for the program by her mother, Jenica Ball, who is currently a junior sociology major enrolled in WIU's Honors College. Corgan is interested in studying music education at WIU.

"The Honors College has so many things other universities don't offer," she said. "There are so many opportunities and I can see myself in the choir."

Other students who participated in the inaugural program included:

• Cambridge High School: Joshua Stinson and Danielle Adams

• East Leyden High School: Dana Pollina and Sofija Micevic

For more information about the Centennial Honors College or the "Honors Student for a Day" program, visit wiu.edu/centennial_honors_college, or call (209) 298-1414.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing