Honors College students make significant contributions to the University and the city of Houston during their time on campus and beyond. Through work in the Honors curriculum—pondering the “human situation” and how best to apply the skills they learn at the University—and participation in the Honors community, Honors students develop vision, confidence, and a sense of responsibility.

The One Thousand Years of Honors campaign provides an opportunity for dedicated alumni and friends to invest in these outstanding students. The scholarship idea, originally conceived by Honors advisory board member Ben Bosco, aims to provide incentive scholarships of $1,000 to 1000 students over 10 years, thus supporting a thousand years of Honors education. “We thought this would be a good way to help the maximum number of students,” said Bosco, a businessman from Utica, New York, who wants to support Houston by supporting students at the University. For many recipients, such scholarships can be the deciding factor that brings them to Houston.

Honors biology and creative writing sophomore Sara Khan, recipient of the Wilhelmina Robertson Scholarship, says that her award enticed her to leave her home state of South Carolina and come all the way to Houston. According to Khan, her Honors scholarship is the “blessing that makes attending the University of Houston possible.” As an out-of-state student with a competitive scholarship of at least $1000, Khan qualifies for a tuition waiver that makes out-of-state education affordable. And the University of Houston, with its unique combination of a renowned creative writing program and access to the Texas Medical Center, was exactly where Khan, who plans to be a doctor but also loves literature, wanted to be. “I also wanted to be a part of something more select, which is why I applied to the Honors College.”

Adrienne Huntsman, an Honors junior in political science, says her Honors scholarship has allowed her to focus less on financing her education and more on getting the best education possible. “In a family with three children in college, tuition is expensive. My Honors scholarship allows me to continue my education without picking up extra loans.” Through her studies in political science as well as her minor in Phronesis, the burgeoning politics and ethics program offered by the Honors College, Huntsman is preparing for a career in human rights.

“Being able to offer Honors scholarships in addition to what the University provides goes a long way in the effort to recruit the best and brightest students to the Honors College and to the University,” said Honors Dean Bill Monroe. “And by supporting the education of good students, the Honors College is investing in great leaders.”