Honors Symposium celebrates 24th year of life-changing program

July 15, 2016 | Summer Academic Institute |

For 24 years, the Honors College has hosted high school seniors from around the world as part of Honors Symposium.

Symposium, which is housed under the Honors College’s Summer Academic Institute, is a two-week academic program on the University campus dedicated to challenging, encouraging and uplifting high-achieving high school seniors through coursework and spiritual development. This year, 217 students from 23 states make up the four two-week sessions.

“Trying to get them to think about what they believe and why they believe it and to be critical thinkers — that’s probably our biggest goal,” Honors College Dean Mike James said. “Why? How? Or what happened? We’re looking at those questions.”

Students at Symposium get the chance to interact daily with professors and student counselors, both of whom greatly impact their two weeks on campus.

“I think I’ve really opened up while I’ve been here, and I’ve learned to try new things and new ways to think,” Savannah Weigel of Russellville, Arkansas, said. “The teachers and students are so energetic here, and they make the learning process more involved and more fun.”

Shelby Anderson, of Columbia, Tennessee, said while the academics and activities have been challenging and intriguing, the people are what have really made her Symposium experience worthwhile.

“For one, the relationships that I’ve made with people while I’m here will be one of the biggest takeaways for me,” Anderson said. “This was my first time to ever be on Harding’s campus, and I’ve really enjoyed all that it has to offer. I know as soon as I leave I’ll be ready to come back.”

For James, the two weeks facilitate a noticeable change in the students and how they act and approach life.

“At the end of these two weeks, I think the students will have grown more than two-weeks worth of time,” James said. “I’ve heard many parents come back to me and say, ‘This doesn’t seem to be the same kid that I left here two weeks ago.’ The students seem to mature an extraordinary amount in that period of time. It’s truly a life-changing experience for these students who join us, and I know it’s something they’ll never forget.”

For more information on the program and to request an invitation to attend next summer, visit www.harding.edu/events/symposium.