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Final Round of Competition for Batten Honors College
Prospective students visited campus to compete for a seat in the elite program
University News | March 11, 2024
The final round of competition for the fall 2024 incoming Batten Honors College (BHC) cohort took place on campus March 7 and 8. At the conclusion of the competition, the David L. Kaufman Center for Enrollment will extend offers to 40 new Batten Honors College students who will matriculate in the fall. The first round of competition for this cohort was held in November 2023 and the second round of competitors visited campus in February 2024.
“There has been an impressive number of qualified applicants this year, including international candidates, and we are very proud of the caliber of student the program continues to attract,” said President Scott D. Miller.
An opening session on Thursday provided participants with more information about the highly-selective program and the schedule of events for competition. Students and parents heard remarks from President Miller, Dean of the Batten Honors College Dr. Travis Malone, Director of Enrollment for the BHC Nikki Nieves and VWU Senior and BHC Scholar Kai Trehan, who shared her experiences in the program.
Competition continued on Friday with sessions for parents and students on campus. Students met with faculty and engaged in group discussions and collaborative activities, while parents attended panel discussions and informational sessions that enabled them to learn more about programs and opportunities at Virginia Wesleyan.
The Batten Honors College is a highly selective residential program enrolling 160 of the top scholars in the country. Each year, approximately 120 prospective students are invited to campus to compete for the highly-coveted seats in this cohort. Candidates are invited on the basis of academic performance, compelling personal essays, and remarkable service and extracurricular activities.
The very first cohort of Batten Honors College students arrived in fall 2017 in conjunction with the opening of the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. This selective academic program is made possible by generous support from Virginia Wesleyan University Trustee Emerita Jane P. Batten H'06 and her late husband, Frank Batten, Sr.
Through small class sizes, personalized instruction and especially vigorous faculty-student interaction, the Batten Honors College is designed to prepare leaders and environmental stewards. The curriculum explores diverse disciplines within the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, and mathematics.
The names of the newest Batten Honors College scholars will be released later this spring.
Learn more about the Batten Honors College at VWU