Ryan Marcotte of Herscher, Illinois, graduates from Olivet's Honors Program

2017 May 8

Ryan Marcotte of Herscher, Illinois, graduated with a B.A. degree, majoring in music, in the seventh cohort of Honors Program graduates as part of Olivet Nazarene University's Class of 2017 during the 104th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 6, 2017.

As their time at Olivet came to a close, Honors Program students presented their required research projects during Scholar Week 2017, April 18 to 22. "A Unified Approach: In Defense of Town of Greece v. Galloway" with Professor Charles Emmerich (mentor) was Marcotte's project.

He plans to attend law school.

"One of the strengths of Olivet Nazarene University's Honors Program is the strong Christian focus," says Dr. Stephen Lowe, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who serves as program director. "We are committed to preparing scholars who will be servant leaders in the Church and our world."

The Olivet Honors Program began in the fall 2010 semester, dedicated to encouraging and nurturing academically gifted students in integrating Christian faith and learning. As cohorts bond and learn to work together, they experience an intellectual and social community. They study together in interdisciplinary classes taught by a faculty team of subject-matter experts, experience cultural events and engage in service projects with nonprofit organizations. During the junior and senior years, each student completes a funded, faculty-mentored research project and presents his/her work during Olivet's Scholar Week.

"One of the major aspects of Olivet's Honors Program is creative, cross-disciplinary group learning," says Dr. Stephen Case, associate director and a professor on the faculty team. "This learning is student-driven and has a real impact in our community."