University Honors College

Overview

Inspired by the soaring arches of the Commons Room, the newly renovated quarters of the University Honors College on the 35th and 36th floors of the Cathedral of Learning celebrate the energy and striving for the highest levels of academic and personal achievement that are the hallmark of the University.
Support to the University Honors College has made many outstanding accomplishments possible. For example:

• On October 23, 2003, His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, designated the University a Marshall Center for Excellence, recognizing the exceptional record of Marshall Scholarship winners.

• The Honors College has increasingly been able to make available human and material resources that are typically retained at the graduate and faculty levels to provide opportunities, incentives, and recognition for high academic attainment by students. There are four basic emphases: formal course work; supplemental advising; an academic community created through special programs, lectures, reading groups, etc; and an option to pursue a unique baccalaureate degree.

• The Honors College offers students a unique combination of academic and co-curricular activities including a politics and philosophy major, the Yellowstone Field Course, archaeological and political field work in Mongolia, an honors college degree (Bachelor of Philosophy), summer Brackenridge Research Fellowships, an Undergraduate Research Fair, and four distinct undergraduate journals that publish literary works, creative nonfiction works, formal scholarly works, and undergraduate political thought.

Providing the best possible learning opportunities—as well as supporting and expanding research capabilities—is a promise that our University must keep.

The University of Pittsburgh is already envied as one of the nation’s most respected providers of high-quality education. But our work is not finished. Pitt is experiencing a time of rapid and extraordinary progress. Your support is essential in our efforts to reach the University’s full potential.

For more information about giving to the University Honors College,
online to www.giveto.pitt.edu or call 1-800-817-8943.

Student Profile: Daniel Armanios

Having the ability to travel and leave your mark on other countries is something that most college students dream of. Daniel E. Armanios, Marietta, GA native, has made that aspiration a reality. Armanios was the recipient of the Douglas M. Browning University Honors College International Field Study Award. This fund contributes to the diversity of students while providing them with the opportunity to participate in study abroad activities.

Following graduation, he traveled to the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa from June 24- July 30, 2007 as part of a field study abroad. He was asked to lead math and science programming for three middle schools and one high school as part of the Student Movement for Real Changes student-to-student program. While there, Armanios taught over 100 classes that directly affected more than 300 students and assisted over 20 teachers with program and curriculum development. Taking his efforts one step further, Armanios learned the South African language, Xitsonga, in order to interact more efficiently with the students.

Showing his gratitude for the Douglas M. Browning UHC International Field Study Award, Armanios said, “Without this scholarship, it would have been extremely difficult for me to be a part of this project. I can honestly say that my post-graduate work is strongly influenced from this experience and how I view innovation and development.”

One of Armanios’ greatest accomplishments from the field study was, in spite of a nearly three month teacher strike, each of his math and science students at the high school level passed with university qualifications for the first time ever.

Giving back to Pitt, Armanios served as a mentor for one of the students on this year’s field study trip to the South Africa. He also worked with the group of Pitt students to inform them of the Xitsonga language and what they could expect to encounter while there.

“I am very happy that my positive experiences and the mentoring I was able to do following helped, in a small way, to allow others to enjoy this experience while at Pitt,” said Armanios.

Currently, Aramios is completing a Master of Science degree in Management Research at the Said Business School at the University of Oxford. Upon completion, he will then pursue a PhD in the same area.