An Honors Program Devoted to Academic Excellence and Christ-Centered Leadership

The Honors Program at Dallas Baptist University strives to provide students with the opportunity to grow on a deeper level spiritually and academically through specially curated courses, enrichment opportunities, and faculty mentorships specific to Honors Students throughout their undergraduate studies.

Led by the University Honors Program Director and Professor, Dr. Philip Mitchell, the program incorporates scripture and classic literature ranging from ancient Greece to present day. This is done with the goal of challenging students to connect these ideas to their future callings and interests, encouraging a deeper understanding of their faith and learning through study, research, and discussion.

Dr. Mitchell has been devoted to the program and its students for over twenty years. Under his leadership, the Honors Program continues to prepare students for their futures in their respective fields, whether it be literature, theology, science, or art.

Beyond academic and spiritual growth, students are encouraged to build relationships and community with others in the program. With limited class sizes, students journey together through the courses, creating lasting bonds with one another. In addition, they are encouraged to cultivate student-faculty mentorships throughout their time in the program. 

Honors Students are enrolled in courses specially designed for the program, which complement DBU's liberal arts mission of producing servant leaders through the integration of faith and learning. The classes are discussion-led, which encourages students to use their curiosity and imagination to deepen their learning through active dialogue.

Alongside coursework, the program offers a variety of enrichment opportunities that students are encouraged to participate in. These include weekly Friday Honors Symposiums, which is a lecture series held in the Rogers Theatre in Pilgrim Chapel, where guest speakers present on a range of interdisciplinary topics.

Additional enrichment opportunities include the annual Fall Retreat at the DBU Hospitality House at Mt. Lebanon Encampment and the annual Spring Conference. At these events, students hear from speakers from various academic areas and engage in meaningful discussions to deepen their understanding of what they are learning.

The DOXA Literary Festival is another annual event organized by the Honors Program. In this opportunity, DBU students are invited to take their completed creative works such as fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and even songs, and compete against one another in front of a judging panel.

While on campus, students are encouraged to pursue leadership roles around campus to strengthen their leadership skills to help prepare them to be leaders after graduation, whether that be in their job, church, or their relationships. The Honors Program hopes that this will equip students to enter the world as critical thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible leaders, all done for the glory of God.

To receive the Honors recognition at commencement, students are challenged to maintain a 3.5 GPA, along with completing a senior thesis or project. In this final task, students can select a topic related to their degree or area of interest, which they present to a panel prior to graduation.

While the program challenges its students through discussion and coursework, it seeks to integrate the University's mission of producing Christ-centered, servant leaders. In addition, it creates a close-knit environment where students can develop a deeper desire for God's truth, goodness, and beauty in every aspect of life.