1) High School Scholars

High school seniors who are in the top ten percent of their class and who are recommended by the principal or guidance counselor may enroll in one course at Lewis University each semester while completing their final year of high school. Applications are to be made through the Office of Admission. Seniors who are accepted are designated High School Scholars and receive free tuition for this program.

2) Service Members Opportunity College (SOC)

Upon enlistment in the military or at any time thereafter, service personnel may enroll in SOC. This program enables service personnel to begin their college careers when they begin their military careers, thus avoiding unnecessary interruption. Regardless of where they are stationed, students can take courses defined by the Lewis University curriculum and degree requirements. Credits are transferred to Lewis and applied toward the baccalaureate degree. The Office of Admission is responsible for providing ongoing academic advising to participants in the program. SOC students complete remaining degree requirements when they return to the Lewis campus.

3) The Honors Program

The mission of the Lewis University Honors Program is to develop and support a deeply engaged group of academic and social leaders and innovators who will inhabit the Lewis Mission in their personal and professional lives, while inspiring those around them to do so as well.

Admission:

Freshman:

• High school GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Completion of the LU Honors Program Application
• Contact information for one recommending teacher

Transfer and Current Lewis Students:

• College GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Completion of the LU Honors Program Application
• Contact information for one recommending teacher

For more information please contact Jennifer Tello Buntin, Honors Program Director at buntinje@lewisu.edu or visit the Honors Program web site: http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/scholars.

4) Departmental Honors Organizations

The following departments and colleges have nationally affiliated honors organizations. For admission to membership, students must meet criteria established by the national organization.

• Biology (Beta Beta Beta)
• Computer Science (Upsilon Pi Epsilon)
• Criminal Justice (Alpha Phi Sigma)
• Education (Kappa Delta Pi)
• English (Sigma Tau Delta)
• History (Phi Alpha Theta)
• Mathematics (Kappa Mu Epsilon)
• Nursing (Sigma Theta Tau)
• Philosophy (Phi Sigma Tau)
• Physics (Sigma Pi Sigma)
• Political Science (Pi Sigma Alpha)
• Psychology (Psi Chi)
• Social Work (Phi Alpha)
• Theology (Theta Alpha Kappa)

A number of departments have professional organizations that are open to majors and, in some cases, non-majors (e.g., The American Marketing Association, The Philosophy Club).

5) Honors Societies

Lewis University offers membership opportunities in three national honors organizations: Delta Epsilon Sigma (National Scholastic Honor Society), the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (an organization that bestows honors recognition on academic achievements earned early in the student’s college career), and Alpha Sigma Lambda (an organization dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and recognizes high scholastic achievement in an adult student’s career).

6) Study Abroad

Lewis University offers multiple study abroad opportunities through a variety of programs in over 40 international locations. Studying abroad provides unique opportunities to learn about diverse issues and global topics by going beyond the classroom and experiencing them first-hand. The programs are affordable and current student financial aid often applies.  Students may study abroad on full Semester and Summer Programsat international universities, taking courses applicable to their majors, minors, general education, or elective requirements. Lewis University professors develop travel courses and lead short-term, credit-bearing Travel Study programs to international locations.  For more details about the programs and how to apply, check the Study Abroad website at www.lewisu.edu/studyabroad, or contact the office by phone at (815) 836-5993 or by e-mail at swansoch@lewisu.edu.

7) Community Engaged Learning

Community Engaged Learning at Lewis University partners academics and community engagement within designated courses. Community Engaged Learning enriches student learning while meeting needs in the community.  Community experiences are integrated with course learning objectives, activities, and directed reflection.  Students obtain disciplinary knowledge and skills while practicing and deepening social and civic responsibility.

See the Notes column of each semester’s online University Course Schedule booklet identifying courses that incorporate Community Engaged Learning or contact the Office of Community Engagement and Experiential Learning for more information. e-mail: wilmarla@lewisu.edu; phone: 815-836-5829; or https://lewisu.edu/cel/.