“The Honors Program is not just about your major -- it's about your life.”
-- Dr. Wayne Banwart, ACES Honors Dean Emeritus (1995-2005)
For a concise overview of the Honors Program, please download and read these PDF documents:
- ACES James Scholar Honors Program: Prospectus Brochure (PDF) -- A Four-Year Outline of the Honors Program from Start to Finish
- ACES Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program: Prospectus Brochure (PDF) -- How James Scholars Conduct Original Research During the Junior &/or Senior Year
Greetings from Dr. Bill Simmons, ACES Honors Dean
I joined the ACES Academic Programs office in September 2005 and currently serve as your Honors Dean. Prior to this appointment, I enjoyed a research, teaching, and Extension faculty position in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, and I most recently served as NRES' Associate Department Head and Undergraduate Coordinator. In that previous role, I interacted with ACES student leaders, many of whom were James Scholars. My current duties involve providing leadership for the James Scholar Program.
The James Scholar Program offers a comprehensive immersion in scholarship, including participation in honors courses, academic symposia, special events, and independent research. By combining research opportunities with classroom learning, James Scholars realize the very best that the University of Illinois has to offer. This is a unique opportunity that each of you should participate in with pride and enthusiasm. The diverse array of research projects completed by James Scholars is impressive. The scope and impact of your research projects are limitless!
The James Scholar Program already has a rich legacy of producing scholars that go on to graduate studies and prominent vocations, made possible by the enhanced experiences that they have enjoyed at the University of Illinois. Development of research presentation skills, connections with prominent research faculty, and associations with other top student-scholars in the ACES College are just a few of the tangible rewards that this program offers. The expectations of students in the James Scholar Program are high, as are the potential benefits measured in personal development and professional advancement. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and sharing in the joy that your participation and accomplishments will bring.
A likeness of Dr. Edmund J. James, President of the University of Illinois (1904-1920), after whom the James Scholar Honors Programs were named at their inception in 1959. (Image Credit: The New Student’s Reference Work [1914] – Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons)
The Origin of the James Scholar Eponym
By Rob Chappell, M.A., Office Support Specialist
An eponym, according to its dictionary definition, is a name or title derived from the name of a person. The James Scholar Honors Programs run by the various Colleges on the University of Illinois' Urbana campus are named after Dr. Edmund J. James, President of the University of Illinois from 1904 to 1920. Among many other accomplishments, President James commissioned the construction of Lincoln Hall in 1909 (the centennial year of Abraham Lincoln's birth) to house the College of Literature and Arts (eventually to become the College of LAS). He is also remembered for his visionary challenge to the Board of Trustees in 1912, urging that the University build a research library to house a projected collection of at least one million volumes. In honor of President James' commitment to academic excellence, students who complete all requirements of the ACES James Scholar Honors Program at the end of each academic year receive the designation “Edmund J. James Scholar” on their official transcripts.
The first freshman class of James Scholars enrolled in the College of Agriculture during the fall semester of 1959. Forty years later, in 1999, the ACES James Scholar Honors Program was reorganized and revitalized by Dr. Wayne Banwart, Dr. Kirby Barrick, and Dr. Bryan White. During its fifth decade, the Honors Program has been enriched through the publication of bimonthly and quarterly periodicals; the launching of this website in fall 2004; and the addition of two annual writing competitions, student representation on the ACES Honors Council, and the formation of the ACES James Scholar Media Team.
Resources for Further Exploration
This page has been designed to serve as a point of departure for new and prospective ACES James Scholars to explore our Honors Program. Follow the links below to learn more about being an ACES James Scholar. Please revisit this page often, as new materials are added from time to time.
NOTE: Files marked as "PDF" require the Adobe Acrobat Reader software.
- ACES James Scholars Discuss What the Honors Program Means to Them (PDF) -- Here's a garland of testimonials from alumni and current ACES James Scholars. The Honors Program is not only beneficial during one's college years -- it's excellent preparation for life in the "real world."
- Top Ten Pearls of Wisdom for Freshman ACES James Scholars -- These nuggets of sage advice were harvested from the Class of 2008 at our Sixth Annual Honors Symposium in February 2005. On this page, you'll also have an opportunity to meet the Seven Liberal Arts. :)
- The James Scholar Media Team is a student organization specially designed for ACES James Scholars who enjoy writing, photography, and leadership studies (a/k/a hegemontology)! Join the club to network with your fellow James Scholars, participate in edutaining field trips, enjoy professional development activities, and learn how to express yourself in creative and techno-savvy ways. All members have the opportunity to contribute to the James Scholar Honors Program's publications and website.
- Compendium Neophytorum: The Neophytes' Compendium (PDF) -- Here's a special collection of twelve outstanding Cursus Honorum articles on the freshman ACES James Scholar experience and how the Honors Program can make a positive impact on all four years of your undergraduate career -- and beyond!
- The Carol Andreae Haynes Sophomore Achievement Award -- Through a creative writing competition, this annual award celebrates the achievements of sophomore ACES James Scholar women during their freshman year.
- Beloit College's Freshman Mindset List -- This edutaining resource, updated annually, helps faculty, staff, and students to better appreciate our ever-changing world at the beginning of each new academic year.
