Clarke Honors College

Dr. Andrew Martino
Dean
410-546-6902

Dr. Stacia Kock
Faculty Director
Bellavance Honors Program
410-548-1305

Michael Koval
Faculty Director
Business Honors Program
410-677-0168

Dr. Jennifer Nyland
Faculty Director
Richard A. Henson Honors
Program in Science and Mathematics
410-677-0122

Joan Kjeldsen, Program Management Specialist
Honors House • 410-677-6556

College Information

The Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College offers enriched academic opportunities for motivated students through curricular offerings, extracurricular activities and applied learning experiences. The College fosters close individual contact between students and faculty and brings together engaged undergraduate students with varied interests to explore and enrich their overall academic university experience. In addition, the Clarke Honors College seeks to provide an intellectual environment where students pursue inquiry, explore curiosity, exhibit creativity and engage in undergraduate research all while engaging larger communities on the Eastern Shore and beyond. Honors courses and activities are intended to enhance other educational opportunities available to Salisbury University students and meet national expectations for Honors education.

Salisbury University’s Honors Program began in 1980 with 20 freshman students who met in the back of the University gymnasium and took a series of history, English and philosophy courses. In 1996, the Honors Program was renamed for University president Thomas E. Bellavance, shortly after moving to its current home in a renovated house on the corner of Camden Avenue and Loblolly Lane. The curriculum at that time centered on a team-taught great books series of courses; it has since changed to include dynamic issues-based courses that fulfill General Education requirements.

The Honors director was, at first, the sole faculty member attached to the Honors Program. Founding director Dr. Tony Whall taught in English and Honors with a two-course download to administer the program. In 1994, the program gained an assistant director whose duties focused on student activities and mentoring; this faculty member received a course download for these services. In 2006, the program gained a 10-hour share of an administrative assistant.

Beginning in the 2000s, the Honors Program began hosting a Living Learning Community with 20 students. By 2010, the program offered two communities that included 36 students in Manokin Hall (the building was shared with other Living Learning Communities).

The SU Honors College was founded in 2016 and renamed the Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College in 2020 in honor of its endowing benefactors. The College admits between 120 and 150 new freshmen each year and serves nearly 500 students. It houses freshman Living Learning Communities and a Sophomore Living Learning Community.

Clarke Honors College Faculty

Numerous faculty from across campus teach in the Clarke Honors College and serve as affiliated faculty. For a list of these faculty, please visit the Clarke Honors College website.

Add Value to Your College Experience

Whatever your major or area of concentration at SU, the Honors experience can enhance the value of your degree. Graduating with Honors demonstrates to employers and graduate programs that you’re the type of person who welcomes challenges and exceeds expectations. Completing the necessary coursework for Honors requires sustained effort across many semesters, and the capstone (or thesis) project shows your ability to work independently at a high level. That kind of determination and self-motivation are attractive to recruiters in virtually every field, giving you a competitive edge in the professional world or in applying to graduate programs nationwide.

The Honors Advantage

Small classes (no more than 20 students)
Tailored courses on interesting and unique subjects
Opportunities to work closely with faculty members on individualized research
Opportunity to participate in freshman and sophomore Honors Living Learning Communities
Priority class registration
Access to Honors advising
Financial support for conference travel to regional and national conferences
Scholarships

Freshman Admission

The Clarke Honors College seeks applications from high school students with strong grades, a love of learning and an interest in small, discussion-based classes. Strong academic performance, leadership and extracurricular interests are all considered in Honors admission. To apply to the Clarke Honors College, students must submit an application via the Honors website.

Transfer and Current Student Admission

Transfer students coming to SU may apply for admission to the Clarke Honors College when they have a total of 48 credits with a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Scholarships

The Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program provides annual scholarships for incoming freshmen that range from $500 to $1,000 (renewable up to four years). Students are selected based on academic accomplishments and a written essay that is part of their application to the Honors College. Beginning in 2013, the recipients of these scholarships were designated the name “Bellavance Scholars” in recognition of Thomas and Elizabeth Bellavance, who were great supporters of the Honors Program and in whose honor the endowment for these scholarships is named. Bellavance Scholars are required to maintain a 3.5 GPA and remain active in the Clarke Honors College and Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program, demonstrating successful progress toward graduating with full University honors. They are recognized each year at the Honors Spring Banquet and their names appear on a large plaque that is publicly displayed in the Honors Center.

In addition, the Clarke Honors College grants between 12 and 15 Director’s Fellowships to incoming freshmen each year. The fellowships were established to recognize exceptional incoming freshman students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and the promise for leadership and success on the Salisbury University campus. Fellowships range from $1,000 to $2,000 and are renewable a total of four years. For consideration, applicants need to apply to the Clarke Honors College by the priority deadline. Students are selected based on their academic accomplishments, as well as an additional essay. Recipients are decided by the Honors Admissions Committee, comprised of the faculty director of the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program and the director of admissions. Director’s Fellows receive priority placement in one of the Honors Program’s freshman Living Learning Communities. Students are required to maintain a 3.25 GPA and remain active in the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program, demonstrating successful progress toward graduating with full University honors. They are recognized each year at the Honors Spring Banquet and their names appear on a large plaque that is publicly displayed in the Honors Center.

Honors Programs

Students admitted into the Clarke Honors College have the choice between three Honors Programs: the Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program, the Business Honors Program, and the Richard Henson Honors Program in Science and Mathematics.

Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program

The Thomas E. Bellavance Honors Program is housed within the Clarke Honors College and is designed to bring together high-achieving students and dedicated faculty in a small University environment. It offers motivated students who are serious about their intellectual growth a variety of special enhanced classes. The program fosters close individual contact between students and faculty and brings together talented students from across campus. Honors courses and extracurricular activities are intended to enrich and complement other educational opportunities and programs available to Salisbury University students.

Business Honors Program

The Business Honors Program provides admitted students with greater networking and mentorship opportunities, specialized global programs, enhanced entrepreneurship experiences, enriched courses, and meaningful access to local community leaders to accelerate their personal and professional development.

Students are admitted to the Business Honors Program based on current University Honors criteria. To graduate with a Business Honors designation, students must obtain a degree from the Perdue School of Business.

Richard A. Henson Honors Program in Science and Mathematics

The Henson Honors Program in Science and Mathematics provides admitted students with enriched math and science courses with emphasis on critical thinking, enhanced undergraduate research experiences and unique opportunities to engage in career-advancing activities, while providing them with the flexibility to complete the major’s program requirements in a timely manner. Students are admitted to the Henson Honors Program based on current Clarke Honors College criteria.

Programs

Honors

Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog