The Honors Congress: Overview and Requirements

During the fall and spring semesters, the College Honors Program sponsors the Honors Congress, a semester-long series of cultural and academic events that is an integral part of the honors program curriculum.  The focus of the Honors Congress changes from semester to semester.  Sometimes the Honors Congress is organized around a specific theme while other times the Honors Congress offers an array of presentations, lectures, films, theater, musical opportunities, field trips, etc.

All College Honors Program participants are required to complete three semester-long Honors Congresses during their eight semesters at Messiah.  First year students must complete a Congress semester during fall of their freshman year.   [The completion of an Honors Congress requires that a student attend three of the semester’s scheduled events.]  Participation in the Honors Congress is on an “honor” basis, meaning that each student is responsible for meeting and monitoring his/her own Honors Congress participation.

Recording/Tracking System:  In order to record and track Honors Congress attendance, participants must access their  "Student Records" in the Self-Service Banner Main Menu, and click on "Honors Congress Attendance."   Participants will be able to check off attendance at Honors Congress events after the event has passed.  Attendance may be recorded at any point during the semester after the event has passed, but all of the attended events must be recorded by the end of the semester.  Once the semester is over, students will not be able to record attendance at past semesters' events.  Not only will this system be able to keep track of the events attended, but also the number of completed semesters.

Apart from the formal requirement, honors program participants are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided by as many Honors Congresses as possible.

The Fall 2010 Honors Congress Series offers a selection of various events.  Highlights of the semester include our film series From Stage to Screen: Classic Films of American Playwrights and our marquee speaker of the year, Dr. Mateen Elass.   In order to receive credit for the Fall '10 Honors Congress, you must attend three of the events listed in the schedule below.  Additional events may be added.   Any questions about Honors Congress can be directed to Dr. Curry or Lili Hagenbuch.

Fall 2010 Honors Congress Schedule

Wednesday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. [Frey 110]

Dr. Donald Opitz discusses his book, “The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness.” 

First year CHP participants are required to attend.  Open to all.

Thursday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. [Frey 110]

Brad Jacob, Associate Professor, Regent University School of Law, and former Executive Director/CEO of the Christian Legal Society

 "Vocation, Career, and Calling"

Alternate Chapel credit given.

Thursday, September 30, 7:00 p.m. [Parmer Cinema]

From Stage to Screen: Classic Films of American Playwrights – Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire

Discussion to follow in Boyer 138, led by Dr. Crystal Downing.

Friday, October 8, 8:00 p.m. [Miller Auditorium]

Messiah College Theater Department presents The Secret Garden,  with a bonus performance of  Amazing Grace, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Ticket information to be announced on September 27.

Thursday, October 14, 7:00 p.m. [Parmer Cinema]

From Stage to Screen: Classic Films of American Playwrights – Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Discussion to follow in Boyer 138.

Saturday, October 16, 8:00 p.m. [Miller Auditorium]

Messiah College Jazz Ensemble

Wednesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m. [Hostetter Chapel]

Dr. Mateen Elass, Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Edmond, Oklahoma

“Can Muslims and Christians Live in Peace?”   

Sponsored by the College Honors Program

Alternate Chapel request pending.

Thursday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. [Parmer Cinema]

From Stage to Screen: Classic Films of American Playwrights – Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Discussion to follow in Boyer 138.

Saturday, November 20, 3:00 p.m. [Hostetter Chapel]

Dr. Janel Curry, Professor of Geography and holder of the Byker Chair in Christian Perspective on Political, Social, and Economic Thought, Calvin College

 “Christianity and Climate Change: Understanding the Range of Responses”

Sponsored by The Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science

Tuesday, November 30, 7:00 p.m. [Hostetter Chapel]

Ruth Schwartz Cowan, Janice and Julian Bers Professor of the History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania

“Climbing Up or Down the Slippery Slope? The Moral Paradoxes of Genetic Screening”

Sponsor by The Central Pennsylvania Forum for Religion and Science

Note: Other events may be announced.  Be sure to check this site regularly.