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Honors Students Take the Lead
By Nadia Datskiv, Class of 2004
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"If you give anything less than being a pastor as well as a teacher to the students, you are not fulfilling your call," Dr. Korstad remarks. As the director of the two-year-old honors program at ORU, he is carrying out that mission.
The honors program was created to provide an additional academic challenge for ORU students. Currently, the program consists of 125 students, a number that is expected to increase by forty percent in the fall, and to double by the fourth year. New honors students are recruited through mailings, the Web site, Admissions Office representatives, College Weekend events, current students, and faculty. "They choose ORU feeling challenged by the honors program," says Korstad proudly.
If you have a unique capacity to absorb, retain, and assimilate vast amounts of information, as honors students do, growing intellectually is part of the process. An added benefit: the smaller class size allows for greater faculty interaction and student discussion time, which results in more stimulating conversations.
According to Korstad, the advantage of being in the honors program is not solely public recognition; the biggest advantage is the opportunity to meet faculty, deans, and administrators. Consequently, doors may open for leadership and service projects, allowing students to do more in their prospective fields. They are expected to increase in all areas, "becoming more than they were," he explains.
The program strongly encourages servant-leadership opportunities both on and off campus. One such opportunity is the Honors Students Council. Composed of twelve students, the HSC allows these hard-working young adults to rise beyond their dreams and levels of expectation.
Other program members have taken to heart the adage that says, "We learn through teaching others." Last semester sixteen students presented speeches at the Great Plains Honors Council meeting, and another ten presented at the South West Area Regional Meeting (SWARM) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
"Successful people in life took opportunities that catapulted them to other opportunities. Thus, the program allows for more doors to be opened," says Korstad. "We believe these students will leap over high walls for the glory of the Lord."
Meet two of our newest honors students:
Sarah Bishop
Sarah Bishop of Arkansas starts at ORU in the fall of 2003, and not just because she likes Tulsa. Joining the honors program at ORU as one of the sixteen new Fellows, she wants to grow closer to God by improving herself spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Interested in missions and learning Spanish, Bishop wishes to "affect the community of Tulsa and encourage others to attend ORU." Apart from being excited about the city's easy road system, she looks forward to being where the Spirit of God flows every day, and learning her purpose. "The city is big and people are friendly," Bishop recalls from one of her visits to Tulsa.
To feel more at home, Bishop will bring with her what she describes as "little hanging angels made out of straw" to decorate her room. Among other things on the list to bring are a blanket her mom made for her for Christmas and some lamps "so I can see!"
David Choi
For David Choi, who hails from Fayetteville, N.C., upholding high standards and edifying peers is a way of life. Being one of the newest Fellows in the honors program at ORU, he expects college to be fun and educational.
To have a balanced perspective, "it is important to be exposed to different backgrounds, ideas, and topics," Choi believes.
Choi's dad and sister will come with him to registration on Aug. 6 to help him adjust to the new life of a college student. This student will be bringing posters and a guitar to remind him of home.
Visit the Honors Program on the Web at:
http://honors.oru.eduFor David Choi, who hails from Fayetteville, N.C., upholding high standards and edifying peers is a way of life. Being one of the newest Fellows in the honors program at ORU, he expects college to be fun and educational.
To have a balanced perspective, "it is important to be exposed to different backgrounds, ideas, and topics," Choi believes.
Choi's dad and sister will come with him to registration on Aug. 6 to help him adjust to the new life of a college student. This student will be bringing posters and a guitar to remind him of home.
Visit the Honors Program on the Web at: http://honors.oru.edu
