Look no further than SVC Honors! Here you will find fellow students eager to support one another as they journey through college and beyond. You will also find faculty devoted to the life of the mind and common good. We believe that college is not just a place where you go to get a credential. Preparing for careers is, of course, important; but we want so much more for you.
SVC Honors is about community. It is about rigorous education in the Catholic, Benedictine, and liberal arts traditions. We read great books, engage in lively discussions, and attend inspiring lectures. It is also about fun! We share meals together, travel to amazing places together, pray together, and celebrate life together.
“The pursuit of wisdom and the growth of friendship have always gone hand in hand. Socrates had dialogues with fellow Athenians. Aristotle spoke of humans as rational and social animals. Saint Benedict built monasteries for brothers to pray and work together. Their examples, and countless others, are reminders that learning is not an isolated activity.”
Jerome C. Foss
Professor of Politics and Endowed Professor of Catholic Thought and Culture
SVC Honors is the place for highly motivated students who want to get the most out of their time at Saint Vincent College. Students in SVC Honors attend classes together and participate in many activities—academic, service, and social. Though united with a common set of goals, SVC Honors students can take one of four Pathways to fulfill their Honors requirements. Those who complete a Pathway are recognized at graduation for their achievement.
Read more about the four Pathways, all of which relate to the mission of Saint Vincent College.
Do you value the opportunity to ask questions and think independently?
Are you interested in learning more about how great thinkers of ancient and modern times helped to shape our understanding of the world today?
Do you enjoy discussing big ideas with friends?
If you are interested in learning more about the cannon of Great Books, the Aurelius Scholars Pathway could be a program where you thrive.
Rooted in the Western intellectual tradition, the Aurelius Scholars Pathway inspires students to dive into the great works of Western Civilization and beyond to uncover how timeless ideas connect across history and speak to life’s biggest questions.
Learn more about Aurelius Scholars
Do you see leadership as a calling to serve God and others?
Do you want to learn more about how the teachings of the Catholic Church and Benedictine spirituality can shape your personal and professional life?
Would you be interested in taking a pilgrimage to Rome to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple?
Whether you are looking to grow as a leader with conviction or discern your vocation, the Benedictine Leadership Studies Pathway provides a unique opportunity to explore leadership rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and Benedictine spirituality.
Guided by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Rule of Saint Benedict, this pathway creates experiences that challenge your body, mind, and spirit. With an emphasis on faith, community, and tradition, the Benedictine Leadership Studies Pathway invites you to explore who you are called to be as a leader in today’s world.
Learn more about BLS
Are you interested in reflecting deeply about the relationship between faith and science?
Do you find yourself thinking about the ethical implications of new technologies?
Are you ready to get your hands dirty by assisting in real-world research that promotes the stewardship of creation?
If you're driven by a desire to serve both people and the planet through thoughtful innovation grounded in faith, the Faith, Science and Technology Pathway could be a good match.
Inspired by principles of human dignity, stewardship of creation, and integral ecology, the Faith, Science and Technology Pathway invites students to take responsibility for the earth, be good stewards of technological advancements, and use faith and reason to develop creative solutions to environmental challenges.
Learn more about FST
Does your heart stir when you hear about the injustices of underserved communities?
Would you like to research how global economies impact communities in poverty.
Are you ready to roll up your sleeves in places like Guatemala or India to learn about diverse people, amazing places, and challenging issues first-hand?
If you are looking for a challenge that transforms both you and the world around you, the SEEK (Service, Exploration, Experience, Knowledge) Pathway might be the right fit.
Rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Thought, the SEEK Pathway invites students of all faith backgrounds—or none at all—to grow as servant-leaders through service, exploration, and experiential learning with an emphasis on serving the poor and advancing the cause for justice.
Learn more about SEEK
Are you naturally curious and self-motivated?
Do you find yourself doing independent deep dives into subjects that interest you?
Do you find yourself naturally stepping into leadership roles and staying organized?
You may be the perfect candidate for an Honors Pathway that you build on your own.
As an SVC Honors Scholar who builds your own Pathway, you will have access to all the benefits of the other Pathways, but you will work closely with a professor to create an academic plan that aligns with specific goals while meeting the requirements for the SVC Honors program.
Do you value the opportunity to ask questions and think independently?
Are you interested in learning more about how great thinkers of ancient and modern times helped to shape our understanding of the world today?
Do you enjoy discussing big ideas with friends?
If you are interested in learning more about the cannon of Great Books, the Aurelius Scholars Pathway could be a program where you thrive.
Rooted in the Western intellectual tradition, the Aurelius Scholars Pathway inspires students to dive into the great works of Western Civilization and beyond to uncover how timeless ideas connect across history and speak to life’s biggest questions.
Learn more about Aurelius Scholars
Do you see leadership as a calling to serve God and others?
Do you want to learn more about how the teachings of the Catholic Church and Benedictine spirituality can shape your personal and professional life?
Would you be interested in taking a pilgrimage to Rome to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a disciple?
Whether you are looking to grow as a leader with conviction or discern your vocation, the Benedictine Leadership Studies Pathway provides a unique opportunity to explore leadership rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and Benedictine spirituality.
Guided by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Rule of Saint Benedict, this pathway creates experiences that challenge your body, mind, and spirit. With an emphasis on faith, community, and tradition, the Benedictine Leadership Studies Pathway invites you to explore who you are called to be as a leader in today’s world.
Learn more about BLS
Are you interested in reflecting deeply about the relationship between faith and science?
Do you find yourself thinking about the ethical implications of new technologies?
Are you ready to get your hands dirty by assisting in real-world research that promotes the stewardship of creation?
If you're driven by a desire to serve both people and the planet through thoughtful innovation grounded in faith, the Faith, Science and Technology Pathway could be a good match.
Inspired by principles of human dignity, stewardship of creation, and integral ecology, the Faith, Science and Technology Pathway invites students to take responsibility for the earth, be good stewards of technological advancements, and use faith and reason to develop creative solutions to environmental challenges.
Learn more about FST
Does your heart stir when you hear about the injustices of underserved communities?
Would you like to research how global economies impact communities in poverty.
Are you ready to roll up your sleeves in places like Guatemala or India to learn about diverse people, amazing places, and challenging issues first-hand?
If you are looking for a challenge that transforms both you and the world around you, the SEEK (Service, Exploration, Experience, Knowledge) Pathway might be the right fit.
Rooted in the principles of Catholic Social Thought, the SEEK Pathway invites students of all faith backgrounds—or none at all—to grow as servant-leaders through service, exploration, and experiential learning with an emphasis on serving the poor and advancing the cause for justice.
Learn more about SEEK
Are you naturally curious and self-motivated?
Do you find yourself doing independent deep dives into subjects that interest you?
Do you find yourself naturally stepping into leadership roles and staying organized?
You may be the perfect candidate for an Honors Pathway that you build on your own.
As an SVC Honors Scholar who builds your own Pathway, you will have access to all the benefits of the other Pathways, but you will work closely with a professor to create an academic plan that aligns with specific goals while meeting the requirements for the SVC Honors program.
As an SVC Honors student, you’ll take honors-level courses in our core curriculum and within your chosen Pathway led by professors who facilitate Socratic discussions that spark curiosity and debate. Together with your peers, you’ll uncover and refine each other’s passions, helping one another grow. Along the way, you’ll discover your vocation while supporting your friends in reaching their highest potential.
You’ll set the academic tone for the college as you broaden your knowledge base. Whether through an expert panel on Flannery O’Connor, a lecture on bioethics, or a live on-campus performance by the Pittsburgh symphony, you will expand your perspective and challenge your thinking. At times these will be structured opportunities, but other times they will develop organically. You’ll have a chance to ponder and linger on a concept or idea without necessarily drawing a conclusion.
We know that when you feel like you belong, you will become the best version of yourself. Events like our Christmas dinner, trip to Washington, D.C., and simple coffee meet-ups are how we see you connecting with each other, becoming true companions, and creating space for rest. You’ll find lifelong friends here and enjoy the beauty of fellowship.
As your knowledge deepens, so will your curiosity about others and their experiences. You’ll begin to recognize injustice and feel compelled to respond. When you see a need, you’ll be equipped with the tools to meet it. Our service opportunities extend beyond local communities to national and global contexts. We not only serve at places like the Westmoreland County Food Bank, we also travel domestically and internationally to places like India to broaden our own appreciation of the needs and challenges of others. These experiences are designed to inspire a lifelong commitment to making a difference well beyond graduation.
SVC Honors students have many opportunities to travel. We take day trips to places such as Gettysburg and Washington D.C., and we are building several international trips to go along with our Summer Institute in Rome. We also have opportunities to join service trips to places such as Senegal.
One of the benefits of being in SVC Honors is that you will be able to travel at a reduced rate! Most day trips are free or have just a small fee, and international trips are subsidized to keep the cost low. SVC Honors students receive priority consideration for these exciting opportunities, and all students have the chance to receive course credit connected to international trips.
Why not see the world with your SVC Honors friends and professors!
The Round Table of Scholars connects students with expert professors who hold endowed positions supported by alumni and friends of the College. Inspired by Saint Vincent’s founder and his time at the University of Munich, this program encourages open conversation and shared learning. Through lectures, forums, and research opportunities, you will engage with important ideas and prepare for a meaningful career and life of purpose.
All students at SVC benefit from a robust Core curriculum. This includes a Core Capstone Seminar. As an SVC Honors student, you will take a section of the Core Capstone that connects to your Honors Pathway. While you’ll be reading the same books as other SVC students, you will have the chance to take your experience to the next level. This includes a subsidized trip that connects the Core, your Pathway, and your major. We believe in the unity of knowledge and the integrated nature of education. The Pathway Core Capstone is our effort to bring it all together!
As an SVC Honors scholar, you will conceive and complete a high impact initiative related to the mission of your chosen Pathway, requiring an investment of time and effort over the course of a semester or academic year. This endeavor will demonstrate your creativity and leadership resulting in a meaningful contribution to your field or community. You might plan and lead a community service initiative, research and propose solutions to a pressing issue, or launch a new organization on campus.
Cast a vision. Lead with conviction. Pursue with perseverance. We will come alongside you as you build a project that develops your talents and skills while accomplishing your goals.
In collaboration with academic departments and centers, SVC Honors welcomes its students to a variety of exciting academic and social events. We have something for students every week of the semester, from public lectures to exclusive dinners with faculty.
On September 25-27, we will be hosting a Symposium for current students and high schoolers interested in learning more about SVC Honors. Register here for SVC Honors Symposium. As part of the Symposium, we are hosting a public lecture by Chesterton Academy Founder Dale Ahlquist on G. K. Chesterton and what it means to be an educated person.
On October 16, we welcome to campus Dr. Jason Baxter, who will be speaking on his recent book Why Literature Still Matters, with emphasis on the work of C. S. Lewis.
SVC Honors Core Requirements
Students will be given guidance on which courses will satisfy their chosen Pathway’s requirements.
SVC Honors Capstone Requirement
Attend the following annually:
Each Pathway will offer unique seminars, trips, reading groups, and projects relevant to their mission.
If you are interested in applying to SVC Honors, first apply for admission to Saint Vincent College: Apply to Saint Vincent College.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria of a 3.5 GPA are invited to apply for the SVC Honors Program. To be considered, you must submit a separate Honors application by February 15.
An interview is also required. Once your application is submitted, someone will reach out to schedule a brief interview.
If you have any questions or would like more information on SVC Honors, please contact our Director of Honors, Dr. Jerome Foss. He can be reached at: Jerome.Foss@stvincent.edu or call 724-805-2652
