“The ACES James Scholar Honors Program is not just about your major -- it's about your life.”
-- Dr. Wayne Banwart, ACES Honors Dean (1995-2005)Professor Emeritus, Department of NRES
For a concise overview of the Honors Program, please download and read these PDF documents:
- Welcome to the ACES James Scholar Class of 2011 (PDF) -- Greetings and Salutations to the Neophytes of Fall 2007!
- ACES James Scholar Prospectus Brochure (PDF) -- A Four-Year Outline of the Honors Program from Start to Finish
- ACES Undergraduate Research 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, annual symposia, 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.
Major General Frederick D. Grant (son of U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant) poses with Dr. Edmund J. James, President of the University of Illinois (1904-1920). (This Army ROTC archival photo appears courtesy of Lieutenant Colonel Steven K. Satterlee, Professor and Head, UIUC Department of Military Science.)
The Origin of the James Scholar Eponym
By Rob Chappell, ACES Honors Secretary
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's Urbana-Champaign 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
monthly, quarterly, and annual 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.
In recent
years, our annual James Scholar enrollment has averaged around 240
students -- which is approximately 10% of the ACES student body. Since
the program's reorganization and revitalization in 1999, some 150
alumni have graduated from UIUC with ACES James Scholar Distinction,
and one of our newest initiatives includes building bridges with our
alumni at the local, state, and national levels. We look forward with
great anticipation to celebrating our 50th anniversary (Golden Jubilee)
during the 2008-09 academic year!
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. :)
- Tips for the Trade (PDF) by ACES James Scholar Karlie Elliott (Class of 2009) -- Karlie, a student intern in ACES Academic Programs, shares valuable insights about taking responsibility for your own success and how to make use of UIUC's vast network of student support services.
- Special Welcome Message for New Freshmen by Dorothy Spencer, JSMT Vice-President External (PDF)
- The ACES 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 take part in literary contests with way kewl prizes! 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.
- ACES James Scholardom: A Gateway to Your Future! (PDF) -- What are the long-term benefits of completing the Honors Program? Eleanor Hodak (Class of 2005) addresses this question from the standpoint of a recent alumna.