The Honors Program provides a unique learning environment that enriches and enhances students' academic careers by offering small, participatory classes, primary source material, group teaching, interdisciplinary themes, individualized instruction, and a challenging curriculum to deepen knowledge within a particular field of inquiry.

First-year students are invited to participate in the Honors Program based upon review and approval by the director of the Honors Program and the Honors Faculty Council. A first-year student is eligible if the student meets at least two of the following criteria: a minimum SAT score of 1100 or an ACT score of 24; a ranking in the top 10 percent of the student's high school graduating class; and a cumulative high school grade point average of at least 3.5. USC Upstate expects more than 40 students to participate in the program this fall.

In addition to teaching two classes per semester, McConnell looks forward to the challenge of his new position as director and intends to make a difference.

“To my mind, the key phrase for this program ought to be ‘expanded opportunity,’ and my intention is to broaden the possibilities for our students as widely and as quickly as I can. I hope that will mean a greater choice of activities—both on campus and off—than we’re currently making provision for,” McConnell said.

McConnell was recently selected as a Fulbright Scholar and will teach American literature and creative writing at the Masaryk University in Brno in the Czech Republic from September 2005 to June 2006. He will assume the position of director on a regular basis in June 2006.

For the coming academic year, Sharon Cherry, a professor of Spanish, will serve as interim director until McConnell returns.

“I count myself particularly lucky that Dr. Cherry will lead the program next year while I’m away. She’s served on the Honors Council since the inception of the program and so brings a great deal of knowledge to the position,” McConnell said.
For more information about the USC Upstate Honors Program, go to www.uscupstate.edu/academics/honors/honors.asp.

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