There is always something exciting happening at the Honors College.

Upcoming Event
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
|
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
Lecture by Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers.
Erin Gruwell is an American teacher known for her unique teaching method, which led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary. Her students…

Annual Honors Events

Students in the Honors Hall Courtyard during HCSO's "Awkward Party"
The Awkward Party
(sponsored by HCSO)

We know moving to a new place and living next to new people can be a challenging experience. Let us help you punch through the awkward phase and jump right into the community building phase! Join us for HCSO’s Awkward Party, hosted during move-in weekend prior to each fall semester, where you will get to meet other Honors students, all while playing yard games, eating ice cream and enjoying each other’s company. No sign-up required!

Ice Cream Social Spring 2022
Ice Cream Social

The Honors Ice Cream Social is an annual tradition that brings students, faculty, staff and friends of the Honors College together for networking and community building in the Honors Courtyard while enjoying the best ice cream South Dakota has to offer. No sign-up required!

A view from the Coughlin Campanile overlooking the SDSU campus.
Griffith Honors Forum Lecture

Lecture by Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers.
Erin Gruwell is an American teacher known for her unique teaching method, which led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary. Her students, who called themselves the "Freedom Writers," recorded their thoughts and feelings in diaries, and their story is an unforgettable example of how hard work, courage, and determination can change lives. Erin Gruwell is also the founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, and she transformed her students’ lives by fostering an educational philosophy that values and promotes diversity.
Book signing to follow the lecture.

Books
Honors Literary Circle

The Honors Literary Circle is an annual tradition in the Fishback Honors College, providing students, faculty, staff and friends of the college an opportunity to build community while holding meaningful discussions around a shared reading.

Past Literary Circles have included Crossing the Line by Kareem Rosser, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. Future readings include Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann and The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland.

Shared readings are provided if participants do not have a copy of the tex

Honors Hall
Honors Potluck

The Honors Potluck dinner is an opportunity for students, faculty and community members to come together and enjoy a shared meal in mid-November. This is a joyous community event that includes fellowship, connections and delicious food.

Guests are welcome and encouraged, but not required, to bring a potluck item to share with the provided main course!

Image of Honors Hall
Town Hall

The annual Honors Town Hall offers a chance to discuss important topics pertaining to the Honors College with students, faculty, alumni and community members. Past topics of discussion have included student/faculty interaction, alumni relations and strategic planning.

Convocation

This event is a celebration of the achievements of Honors students, faculty and community members. Awards are presented in several categories to members of the Honors community - including the award for Honors Distinguished Service and the Honors Teacher of the Year.

Students are nominated and recognized for a number of achievements, including academics, service, leadership, research & scholarly activity and community building. We also recognize Honors scholarship recipients and students who have completed their Honors Capstone projects.

The night is highlighted by a keynote from the recipient of our General Myrna Hennrich Williamson Award in Honors - awarded to an individual exemplifying innovation and excellence in Honors education.

Honors Hall signage
Honors Student Showcase

The annual Honors Student Showcase serves as an opportunity for students to present completed Honors capstone or Contract projects. It further serves as a great way to learn about the incredible work our Honors students are completing. Each student provided a presentation on their scholarly work, followed by time for questions from the audience.

  • For students presenting - you have an opportunity to showcase and share your scholarly work in a public forum with peers, your family, community members and/or SDSU faculty and staff.
  • For students listening - you hear about the work other students, which can be a great way to inspire ideas for your own capstone or contract projects in the future.
  • For our guests - you get to hear first-hand about the incredible research and scholarly activity originating from the Fishback Honors College and our incredible students.
Graduates of the Fishback Honors College in front of the Campanile with President Barry Dunn and First Lady Jane Dunn
Medallion Ceremony

Students graduating with Fishback Honors College distinction receive the Honors Medallion at a special ceremony on the afternoon before SDSU's graduation ceremonies in May. We highlight each Honors graduate's involvement on campus and in the community, emphasizing their engagement and leadership with the communities they interact with.

Each graduate also has the opportunity to recognize an SDSU faculty or staff member who has made a significant contribution to their collegiate career.

All are welcome to join us for this truly celebratory Honors event.

Honors Programs

Students sitting outside the Student Union during First Year Fellowship
First-Year Fellowship

The purpose of the First Year Fellowship (FYF) program is to enhance connections and well-being for first year students in the first few months of their college experience. FYF is an annual tradition that fosters an inclusive community among students in the Fishback Honors College, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Accessibility, Office of International Affairs, American Indian Student Center, Veteran's Affairs and TRIO Student Support Services.

First Year Fellowship is traditionally a five to six week program that meets weekly during the first half of each fall semester.

Honors Peer Mentors prepare to meet their mentees for the first time
Honors Peer Mentor Program

Each year, a student led peer mentoring program helps incoming Honors students get connected both with SDSU and the Honors community. New students will be matched with a returning Honors student who will act as a mentor during their first semester in the Honors College.

New Honors students interested in participating can expect sign-up information over the summer prior to the start of their first semester!

Upcoming Events
Feb
19
8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m., University Student Union
Commencement Speaker Interviews
Feb
21
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., University Student Union
CPETE Honors Session
Feb
26
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
Lecture by Erin Gruwell of the Freedom Writers. Erin Gruwell is an American teacher known for her unique teaching method, which led to the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary. Her students, who…
Mar
24
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., University Student Union
Undergraduate Research Funding Meeting and Final Determination
Contact us
Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College
Physical Address
1426 Student Union Ln.
Brookings, SD 57007
Mailing Address
Honors Hall 119, Box 2705A
Brookings, SD 57007
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
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