A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR

Near the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the venerable Headmaster Albus Dumbledore explains to Harry Potter why the Hogwarts Academy Sorting Hat placed Harry in Gryffindor house (home of those who are courageous and loyal) rather than in Slytherin (home of those who use their gifts for darker purposes):

"Listen to me, Harry. You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his hand-picked students. His own very rare gift, Parseltongue – resourcefulness – determination – a certain disregard for rules. . . . Yet the Sorting Hat placed you in Gryffindor. You know why that was. Think."

"It only put me in Gryffindor," said Harry in a defeated voice, "because I asked not to go in Slytherin."

"Exactly," and Dumbledore, beaming once more. "Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Many students enter the undergraduate experience well-equipped with their own "gifts." Perhaps you excell at math. Your teachers may have singled you out for your writing ability. Maybe you're the student others sought out in biology class because you're a born tutor. You might dazzle your friends with your musical or theatrical performances. Perhaps the adults around you have pointed out your leadership abilities. Whatever your gifts, as you move to the "next level" in your education, you enter a more selective company of young people who possess their own gifts. Some of them may even possess your gifts. How, then, do you distinguish yourself and achieve your full potential in this more selective environment?

The Hogwarts headmaster suggests that in an atmosphere where many have ability, it is our choices that set us apart. If you approach your undergraduate career with a sense that you'd like to challenge yourself, to see what you can make of your gifts, then the Boone Honors Program may be the right choice for you.

In these pages, you will find a general outline of the honors program, including requirements and course descriptions, scholarship guidelines, and news related to the program. If you are a current member of the honors program, the handbook contains the policies presently in effect. You will also find a list of some resources available to help you reach your full potential. The newsletter page includes news and pictures from program activities as well as opportunities for involvement and service.

If you are a prospective student considering the choice of honors at Ferrum, I extend a special warm welcome. I hope these pages entice you to consider joining this relatively new venture at the college. The freshman class entering in fall 2001 was the first class in the honors program, so we are nearing our ten-year anniversary. Honors students are a community of intellectually curious individuals who are willing to be challenged in the classroom and in other settings in order to reach their full potential. Besides the academic opportunities of participating in the program, benefits include social and cultural outings to a broad range of destinations, friendships with faculty and other students from across the college who may share similar interests and passions, chances to examine and clarify values and ideals in honors seminars, and a head start on preparing for graduate school or your career.

As you choose whether or not to distinguish yourself with membership in the Boone Honors Program, I welcome the opportunity to visit, speak, or correspond with you. Please call me (540.365.4334), send an e-mail to lwhited@ferrum.edu, or stop by my office in Britt 200.

Make your choices wisely, for I suspect that Professor Dumbledore is right when he says that "it is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Lana A. Whited, Ph.D.
Director of the Boone Honors Program
Professor of English