To Be Honorable is to Serve.
In 1979, the Honors College at West Chester University was built upon the sure foundations of academic excellence, campus engagement, and community building. As we celebrate 40 years of Honors education, we are extremely proud of the over 1500 men and women who took the invitation to adhere to our motto: To Be Honorable is to Serve.
The pride of the Honors College is our student body. Students in Honors represent a diversity of academic backgrounds spanning 51 distinctive disciplines. Such diversity truly enlivens discussions in class when a pre-med major and a major in music education can come together to discuss strategies for economic enhancement, formation of ethical standards for genetic testing, and approaches to survey research.
Honors Student Spolitghts
Lizzie Gittleson
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gittleson, a junior majoring in Microbiology with minors in Psychology and Civic and Professional Leadership, presented with Honors Faculty member, Professor Zach Wooten, at the International Leadership Association's 23rd Global Conference in October 2021. Lizzie and Professor Wooten presented a poster entitled, "Rabbi Regina Jonas: A Life of Inspiration and Aspiration," discussing their research on the leadership of the first woman ordained as a Rabbi. As the past-president of West Chester University's Hillel Jewish Student Union, Lizzie combined her interest in Jewish history and culture with her passion for leadership studies.
Kaylee Richard
The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center recognized Honors student, Kaylee Richard in their Student Entrepreneur Spotlight. Kaylee is a senior marketing and management dual major with a minor in economics. At West Chester, she is the Co-founder and Vice President of Mu Kappa Tau, a national marketing honors society, and she is a member of the Honors College. She also works as the Social Media Manager for the WCU Marketing Department. Outside of school, Kaylee currently interns at QVC and Toll Brothers along with running her small business. Kaylee started her business, Sunshine Design, in November 2018. Since then, the business has expanded to an Etsy shop in May 2020. Sunshine Design specializes in creating gifts, stickers, and drinkware. In the first 8 months of running an Etsy shop, Sunshine Design has made over 800 sales, sold to customers in all 50 states, and made it to the top 6% of Etsy shops. Check out Kaylee's work here! Find her on Instagram @sunshinedesign
Jake Henry
Jake Henry, a sophomore Pharmaceutical Product Development major, was recently selected as the Overall Grand Prize Winner of the 2021 WCU-BIZ Ideas Competition sponsored by the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center at WCU. His idea, LECTRA, is a wireless and portable electric muscle stimulator to help with muscle growth, fighting arthritis, increasing a mind-to-muscle connection for athletes, and repairing tendons and muscles. Jake's idea was the top pick among 233 submissions and was also selected for the 1st place prize in the competition's undergraduate track. Way to go Jake!
Our Largest Philanthropy:Aid to South Africa
