1963
Honors Program Begins
1970
Student Research Conference Begins
1973
Paul Corts is appointed the second Director of the Honors Program
A graduate of Georgetown College and Indiana University, Dr. Corts was a faculty member and administrator at WKU from 1968 to 1978. He went on to serve at Oklahoma Baptist University, Wingate University, and Palm Beach Atlantic University. Later, Dr. Corts was Assistant Attorney General for Administration with the U.S. Department of Justice, then served as President of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. He retired in 2012. (Photo credit: AGBSearch.com)
1973
Student Honors Research Bulletin First Published
1973
Junior Scholars Program Begins
1977
A. Faye Robinson is appointed the third Director of the Honors Program
1981
James Baker is appointed the fourth Director of the Honors Program.
A graduate of Baylor and Florida State Universities, Dr. Baker was a faculty member in the History department at WKU. He has authored over 22 books and 60 articles, and delivered papers in Italy, Korea, Taiwan, China, and other Asian countries. He also directed the Canadian Parliamentary Internship Program.
1983
Robert D. Hoyt serves as Acting Director
1990
Sam McFarland is appointed the fifth Director of the Honors Program, which is renamed
the University Scholars Honors Program.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Dr. McFarland joined WKU in the fall of 1971 and taught at WKU until 2013. During his tenure as Director, Dr. McFarland began an honors seminar entitled Understanding Human Rights. He was a Fulbright Senior Scholar in the Former Soviet Union (1989) and named a WKU Distinguished University Professor (1999).
1990
Honors Day Begins for High School Students
1990
Kentucky Honors Roundtable Begins
1992
21 Credit-Hour Honors Curriculum Implemented
1992
Honors Parents’ Association Begins
1992
Honors Housing is First Offered at Rodes-Harlin Hall.
1996
24 Credit Hour Honors Curriculum Implemented
1997
First Barry Goldwater Scholar
1998
Doug McElroy is appointed the sixth Director of the University Honors Scholars Program
A graduate of Long Island University and the University of Maine, Dr. McElroy joined WKU in 1993 as a faculty member in the Department of Biology. He also served as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Nairobi, and conducts research on wildlife molecular forensics, population, and conservation genetics. He is currently a Professor and Associate Vice President for Academic Enrichment and Effectiveness at WKU.
1998
Honors Center Established
1998
First Assistant Director
1999
Honors Development Grants Established