University of Pittsburgh Honors College
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1987 |
| Dean | Brian A. Primack |
| Undergraduates | 800-1200 |
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US |
| Campus | Oakland (main) |
| Website | www |
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The University of Pittsburgh Honors College (termed the "Honors College" by students and often abbreviated UHC) is an undergraduate college providing a program of advanced study at the Oakland campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Arising out of the University Honors Program founded in 1978, it transitioned into a college formally dedicated in 1987. The University Honors College provides undergraduate classes that are more challenging and exhaustive than their non-honors counterparts in a wide variety of academic disciplines via collaboration with the other schools of the university. In addition, students are provided with specialized advising and honors housing opportunities.
Rather than having students apply for admission to the UHC and then take classes solely within it, the honors college does not have a formal membership, but is open to all students meeting certain eligibility requirements, or acquiring special permission, and offers flexibility for students to take advantage of its offerings and resources in accordance to their individual motivation.
UHC awards a special Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.) degree to graduates and has successfully helped to culture its students to a school record number of national and international awards including seven Rhodes Scholarships, 10 Marshall Scholarships, 48 Goldwater Scholarships, 11 Truman Scholarships, and seven Udall Scholarships, as well as Churchill and Gates Cambridge scholarships.
The University of Pittsburgh has a tradition of honors education going back to 1926 when honors courses were implemented in order for students to conduct special individual work under faculty guidance. Although not established as a college of the university until 1987, the University Honors College has its modern origins in the University Honors Program, which began in 1978. The honors program was spearheaded by physics professor G. Alec Stewart, who was appointed to head the program in 1977 and oversaw its opening in January 1978. Stewart suggested extending the honors program into a degree-granting college in 1984, and with the support of then Pitt President Wesley Posvar, the honors program transitioned into a college that was formally dedicated in a ceremony at Heinz Memorial Chapel on February 24, 1987, as part of the university's bicentennial celebration. With the college's dedication, Stewart was installed as its first dean. Besides guiding the growth, principles, and philosophy of the Honors College, Stewart also oversaw the acquisition of a 4,700-acre (19 km2) Allen L. Cook Spring Creek Preserve that was donated to the school in 2006. Stewart served as the dean of the college until his death in 2010. Economics professor Steven Husted was named interim dean while the university conducted a search for Stewart's permanent successor. On May 16, 2011, Pitt named Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience Edward M. Stricker as the new dean of the honors college.
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