Student Comments
 Do UScholars Have a Life?!
 Events
 Sample Four-Year Schedule
 Special Features of the Program

U Scholars' comments from the Classes of

Classes of 2003–04

Classes of 2005–07

Class of 2008

Class of 2009

2003–04

The UScholars program is more challenging and rewarding than I thought it would be. It's philosophy, theology, the arts, the humanities, and science all compacted into one experience; the things we study truly are important. I also really appreciate the sense of community that the program creates, and it's great to get to experience professors from so many disciplines.

Joel Hartse, English major, class of 2003

The UScholars program introduced me to philosophy and also gave me a greater appreciation of literature. The program taught me the importance of other disciplines (as someone who had thought science was king), and also taught me to really integrate my faith with my discipline — even though it would be easier to avoid doing this. I feel I have an increasingly better understanding of God and his creation as a result.

Graduate, Class of 2004

The aspect of the UScholars program in regards to developing a sense of personal purpose, of “vocation,” and of commitment to life-long learning is unique. Students at secular colleges aren't often challenged in this way.

Graduate, Class of 2004

U Scholars has helped me to develop my intellectual skills in the sense that it helped me to see how a thinking person could also be a person of a tremendous faith in God. I think that even in Christian circles there exists a stigma that the two must be separate but I have learned that this is not the case.

Bri Clark, ASSP President, Class of 2004

2005–07

Thank goodness for amazing professors, interesting, challenging course content, and the honors project. The Scholars program will require more effort than the common curriculum, but I will say without hesitation that it's worth it.

Graduate, Class of 2005

It is beyond me how the texts that we read and topics that we discuss could be absent in any university student's education. The first year is hard, but doable, and I had free time — even when I procrastinated. Sophomore year was much easier, and despite my fear, I actually ended up with the best grades that year. It has all been worth it. It is so refreshing to have peers who appreciate academics, our relationship with God, and the way in which they coincide.

Graduate, Class of 2006

The Faith and Science courses vastly expanded my view of how my faith and science interact and how it is possible to integrate the two. Probably the most thought-provoking classes of my SPU experience!

Graduate, Class of 2007

2008

It was the other University Scholars who really made the experience. I appreciated our class times of sharing, the exciting group projects, and the understanding friendships. The encouragement from all the professors for us to draw closer to each other and get to know each other better was appreciated and helpful. First quarter freshman year, a group of us began a weekly accountability and sharing time. We even took a retreat to my house. These times continued throughout the first few years and were a great support.

Graduate, Class of 2008

I stayed at SPU for UScholars and the professors. Without exception, they cared for my mind, soul, and well-being in a way that has truly been transformative. I feel that most of my growing up in college took place in the classrooms and offices of the USCH professors, and for this I am incredibly grateful.

Graduate, Class of 2008

2009

I loved University Scholars, and the way that our classes were set up to get at the heart of the most important questions, using the texts that articulated them first. The community aspect has also been an incredible benefit. UScholars allowed me to take classes with the same group of students and continue conversations over years. Also, UScholars really helped me get to know my professors — which has been essential to my great experience at SPU.

Graduate, Class of 2009

I grew so much in being challenged in my writing and thinking over a wide range of topics and subjects! The whole program was very good, and I learned a lot. In fact, It has probably been the most academically satisfying part of my SPU experience.

Graduate, Class of 2009

UScholars has been a great environment for intellectual stimulation and camaraderie. The USCH classes were some of my favorite that I took in college, and I have formed many friendships that will last the rest of my life.

Graduate, Class of 2009

I would do it over again, because it offered more challenging classes that furthered my academic skills. Because of UScholars, my writing skills are better than what they would be like had I done the general track. Also, some classes were extremely valuable and the honors project was a true joy.

Graduate, Class of 2009

I LOVE THE USCH FACULTY!!! It is so obvious that we get the best professors teaching the subjects they love in this program, and I think this is maybe the strongest component of the program.

Graduate, Class of 2009

For more information about the University Scholars program, refer to the University Undergraduate Catalog. You may also contact Luke Reinsma, Director of University Scholars, at lreinsma@spu.edu or 206-281-2093.