Social Aspects of the Honors Program

Aquinas Scholars not only take classes together, they have the opportunity to participate with other honors students in a wide variety of activities outside the classroom.

These activities include the popular monthly academic event "Pizza with a Prof", where students invite a professor to share and discuss his/her current research over a free lunch of pizza and pop.  Some recent topics have included "Close Elections in American History" (by a History professor), "Fact and Fiction in The Da Vinci Code" (by a Theology professor), and "Psychology and 'The Simpsons'" (by a Psychology professor).

The co-chairs of the Social Events committee puts together a slate of fun activities each semester for Aquinas Scholars such as rock-climbing, Twins baseball games, plays such as Chicago, swing dancing, and the highly popular Freshman Retreat.  These activities are all subsidized by the program, so they are either free or (at most) half-price.

Many scholars like to hang out with each other in the Aquinas Scholars student lounge, where they have access to free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate and to free newspaper and magazine subscriptions.

Aquinas Scholars report on all these activities and share their opinions in the Aquinas Scholars' newsletter, the QDQ.  There are numerous opportunities to do community service through the Aquinas Scholars.  And finally, there are students who work hard to welcome new scholars into the fold (the Recruitment and Orientation committee) and to make sure that the next generation of scholars upholds the fine tradition of the program (the Admissions committee).