NDSU Honors College inaugural cohort help shape new program
The first students enrolled in NDSU’s brand-new Honors College aren’t just participating in the program. As members of the inaugural cohort, they’re helping build it.
The Honors College was developed for students with high academic achievement, with a curriculum that blends classroom collaboration with hands-on experiential learning and research, mentorship and real-world problem-solving. The program is open to all disciplines and encourages an interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to learning.
After just a few short weeks on campus, honors college students are already enjoying the experience of a close-knit, living-learning community rooted in curiosity and innovation.
“I had high expectations and it surpassed many of them,” said Tobias Berge, an economics major from Eagan, Minnesota. “It’s already helped give me a mindset of innovation.”
The 30 students accepted into the inaugural cohort arrived on campus a week ahead of classes, participating in learning activities and exploring the Fargo-Moorhead community.
Berge enjoyed learning about the NDeavor Barry D. Batcheller Tech Park during NDeavor Day, noting that it is ready to assist, whether through office space or access to resources to prototype a product.
Another activity the students enjoyed was participating in a Pluralist Lab, which required them to thoughtfully consider a potentially divisive issue, pick a side and then instead of arguing their own side, articulate why someone else might hold the opposing view.
Growing up in North Dakota, Joseph Churchill always thought of NDSU as a small university; however, the honors program has already shown him the vast resources available for students at NDSU, from equipment to faculty.
“I think it’s been a great experience, especially in showing us the possibilities of what we really can do at NDSU,” said Joseph Churchill, an undecided major from Bismarck.
Overall, the students are really looking forward to their honors courses, particularly the Socratic seminar-style learning focused on student-led discussion.
“I was raised with a lot of Socratic seminars in my high school, and I appreciate it,” Berge said. “It’s been instrumental in my formation as a human, and I was not looking forward to a college that wouldn’t have that. This honors program really provides that.”
Beyond learning together, the students also spend the first two years of the program in a living-learning community in Pavek Hall.
“I’m really excited to live with these people on this floor,” said Addison Grayson, a pre-pharmacy major from Dickinson, North Dakota. “Every single person that I’ve interacted with is just a great person. I’ve been struggling to go to bed because I enjoy spending time with these people.”
As the year continues, the students look forward to being a part of history as the first cohort.
“I am excited to see how high we can set the bar, because being the first class we really get to make this what we want it to be,” Berge said. “And I know all of us have very high goals and are all very high achievers in that way. We can set the tone for the rest of the classes."
NDSU Honors College students receive scholarships covering up to $25,000 toward tuition, fees, housing and meal plan costs, made possible through private donors. After all eligible NDSU and North Dakota state scholarships and grants have been applied, the Honors College Scholarship funds the remaining eligible expenses, up to $25,000. This covers all costs for most students.
Applications for the second Honors College cohort begin October 1, with the priority deadline on December 1. Applications may be accepted up to February 1, 2027. Incoming first-year students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, plus an ACT score of 30 or higher or an SAT score of 1,370 or higher, to apply.
For more information on the program visit the Honors College page.