Over 250 freshman students were honored at the University College Honors Recognition Banquet in the Willie A. Tempton Memorial Student Center Ballroom on Jan. 26.
The students achieved 3.5 and above grade point averages during their first semester of college. Nearly 50 of the students had a 4.0.
The freshman class as a whole has a lot to be proud of since the class of 2013 has the highest entering high school GPA average and their SAT scores averaged 30 points above previous entering freshman classes.
The class of 2013 is breaking records with high retention rates and high graduation rates.
“It was good to see so many students qualified to be honored and to see that so many students took it seriously. This is an important first step and the first semester is the most critical. These students are building a great foundation for the rest of their college careers,” said director of enrollment management Lettie Raab.
The speaker for the event was Dr. James A. Wilson Jr. who is also director of the new honors program. Wilson spoke on thinking intellectually and actually applying oneself to achieve success.
Wilson also challenged freshman to push themselves for honors programs because he is looking for bright students.