Professors design Honors classes to challenge and reward students who seek substantial intellectual development in college. The quality, not the quantity of work, distinguishes Honors classes from other courses.

As part of their coursework in Honors classes, all students are required to submit a short reflective essay and sample of their work at the end of each Honors class.

Dinner and evening discussions based on a reading, or attendance of a play, a film, an art exhibit, etc., on campus provide a special, congenial setting for intellectual exchange as part of a course or an extracurricular event. Recently Honors students have had the opportunity to discuss current science issues over dinner with Bill Nye and participate in poetry reading and discussion with faculty.

All Honors students and faculty are regularly invited to attend a play, film, art exhibit, etc. Extended trips within the U.S. or abroad may be planned during breaks or the summer. Recently the Honors program traveled to New York City and drove to Washington D.C. for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Supreme Court. The Honors Program also traveled to Lousianna over Easter Break to work with Habitat for Humanity in their Katrina Relief Effort.

Honors students in majors with a senior research or capstone project will be strongly encouraged to present their work in a special colloquium at Saint Vincent and at professional meetings in their research areas.