At the end of this post are some additional opportunities the Geography Department offers for learning with distinction!
Latin -- strong grades
This is perhaps the best known of all university honors -- whereby a Latin phrase appears on the final transcript and in the graduation commencement program according to the student's total grade-point average (GPA):
- cum laude (GPA of 3.3 to 3.59)
- magna cum laude (3.6 to 3.79)
- summa cum laude (3.8 or higher)
Individual departments are not involved in this recognition. Important details are in the "Graduation With Honors" section of the Registrar's Awarding of Undergraduate Degrees page.
Greek -- our society
Geography students at BSU including majors, minors, and others with significant coursework in geography -- are eligible to join the Eta Nu chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon. The international honorary society for geographers, GTU was established in 1928; the Eta Nu chapter began in 1988. All of our full-time professors and many of our alumni are members.
Membership in GTU is open to any student who demonstrates commitment to and excellence in geography by meeting these criteria:
- At least 3 courses completed in geography
- At least 3 semesters (or equivalent) of full-time student status
- At least 3.3 GPA in Geography
Application forms are available from Dr. Hayes-Bohanan (jhayesboh@bridgew.edu) and induction celebration are held annually. Lifetime membership dues of $40 are paid at the time of initiation; a generous BSU alumnus currently pays this fee on behalf of Eta Nu inductees.
Departmental -- your project
In coordination with the BSU Honors Program, the Geography Department provides eligible geography students the opportunity to earn Departmental Honors by completing a thesis project and additional honors credits. The departmental honors designation requires 9 credits of honors work (typically over two semesters) and some advanced planning. The application process is completed with Dr. Hayes-Bohanan (jhayesboh@bridgew.edu) in his capacity as Honors Chair, and he also coordinates the acceptance of proposals and scheduling of thesis defense sessions. But any full-time professor in the department may serve as the thesis mentor.
Commonwealth Honors -- straight out of high school
The Geography Department participates in Commonwealth Honors by offering some of the courses that are open only to students in that campus-wide program. If you are reading this prior to BSU admission, please have a look at the program requirements. We look forward to having you in the 100- and 200-level geography courses for which you would be eligible.
Recently, these have included general introductory courses such as environmental and physical geography as well as more focused seminars and colloquia. Recent titles include Discovering Brockton, The Secret Life of Coffee, Detroit: Arts City, Historical Geography of Ireland, and New Orleans: Global City.
Lagniappe
These are the four basic pathways to distinction that use the word "honors," but geography students can enhance their academic programs in a number of other ways as well. Be sure to discuss these with your professors or advisors.
- Internship: Practical experience with an outside agency or company, in which a faculty supervisor helps the student to understand the connection between the work itself and the student's academic program.
- Directed Study: Extensive review of a particular area of geographic scholarship for which we do not offer a traditional course.
- Research: The Adrian Tinsley Program provides a variety of opportunities that allow students to undertake research projects with the guidance and financial support of the program and under the academic direction of a faculty mentor. These always involve on-campus presentations of research results, and my also provide opportunities to present results at regional or national conferences. Research could also lead to a publication as an author or co-author.
- Study Abroad: Our department offers short-term courses during summer or winter breaks, in which students travel with a faculty leader to study a geographic topic in another country. These are transformative experiences that can lead to profound personal and professional growth.
- Geography Club: Known informally as GeoBears, the geography club is open to any student with a strong interest in the field of geography. Regular meetings involve geography-related activities and games; special events include outings (or in 2020 virtual outings) to some of our region's rich assortments of special places and outreach events on campus. Participation in the club is an opportunity for extra learning, networking, and the development of leadership skills.
