Purdue University College of Liberal Arts

Honors Program

Dammon Dean's Scholar Program

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Every year, twenty-five to thirty beginning students are selected as Dammon Dean’s Scholars. Their participation in the program is rewarding: academic disciplines come alive, and new opportunities open up as a result of their unique first-year experience. The Dean’s Scholar Program could enrich your first year, too.

As a Dean's Scholar you will:

  • Work closely with a College of Liberal Arts faculty member on a spring semester research project
  • Enroll in two fall semester courses: 1-credit seminar and 3-credit honors public speaking course
  • Enroll in one spring semester course: 1-credit seminar 
  • Learn and grow in a community of dedicated scholars like yourself
  • Participate in a year-long living/learning community with other Dean's Scholars
  • Interact with members of the other six honors learning communities in Shreve Residence Hall (2012-2013 academic year)
  • Participate in co-curricular events
FACULTY-STUDENT RESEARCH

The Dammon Dean’s Scholar Program offers you the opportunity to study one-on-one with a professor during your first year at Purdue. Scholars are free to choose research projects involving any area in the College of Liberal Arts. Dean’s Scholar projects expand students’ understanding of specific disciplines, develop their academic connections, and test their personal career choices. In addition, scholars benefit from having professors as their mentors. To see examples of previous Dean's Scholar projects:

2011-2012 Dean Scholar Projects

2010-2011 Dean Scholar Projects

2009-2010 Dean Scholar Projects

2007-2008 Dean Scholar Projects

GROWTH IN A SCHOLARLY COMMUNITY

As a Dean’s Scholar in a community with professors and fellow students, you will have an immediate support network that will foster intellectual growth and friendship. Much of the interaction among fellow scholars takes place in the Dean’s Scholar seminar, a course that earns students one credit per semester during their freshman year. During the fall semester, students investigate possible research opportunities, learn about the College of Liberal Arts, develop effective academic skills, and discuss issues related to their first year at Purdue. The following semester, scholars get to know each other more closely when the seminar class is divided into small groups to discuss their ongoing research projects with fellow scholars.

"The assignments expose us to a greater variety of experiences that we probably wouldn't have gained on our own, therefore broadening our worldview and enriching our experience at Purdue. But probably the biggest benefit for me was that the class gave me the courage to decide to take every available opportunity to succeed while I'm at college. We had to go and meet our professors on a personal basis, and next semester we get to help a professor work on their own research. These are really great opportunities, and I'm fortunate to have them, especially as a freshman." -Laurel Donaldson, Speech, Language & Hearing Science Major, Geneseo, IL

"The Dean’s Scholar Program is very beneficial for both students and professors. Professors enjoy this relationship where a student is excited about learning. And from the student’s point of view, it opens up a whole new world." – Robert Melara, Associate Professor, Psychological Sciences

CONNECT THROUGH THE  LIVING-LEARNING COMMUNITY

Through learning communities, first-year students have a great way to make friends and learn the ropes at Purdue. Research results here and at programs across the United States show that students who take part in a learning community earn higher grades, make friends faster, and graduate at higher or faster rates than students who don't participate.

In addition to enrolling in two fall semester courses and one spring semester course toghter, members of the Dean's Scholar learning community also participating in out-of-class activities.

Examples of Past Activities and Events

  • Low ropes leadership and team-building excursion
  • Community dinners with faculty members and College of Liberal Arts administration
  • Faculty Research Match
  • Hunger Banquet (with the College of Agriculture)
  • Winter gingerbread house decorating
  • Theme movie nights
  • Ice-skating

"When I signed up for the learning community, I was very excited to be with a group of girls that did everything together. My expectations were certainly met. The group of us that live in the community have formed such close connections. I know I am welcome in any room, at any time and know after a long day of classes, someone will always be there to welcome you home! And I cannot go without mentioning the fun we have together, ranging from midnight birthday celebrations to "Fourth Floor" game days." –Mandi Lira, Interior Design major, Granger, IN 

"We get wonderful opportunities like having dinner with the dean or getting free tickets to shows. The coursework is really interesting, too. We have to challenge ourselves and experience things outside of our comfort zone. It's unlike any class I have this semester."  -Megan Staub, Political Science Major, Canton, MI

HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM  

 The Clarence E. Dammon Dean's Scholar Program is named for a former Purdue University speech professor, registrar, and director of admissions who died in 1957 while employed at Purdue. At the time of his death, the Purdue Board of Trustees voted to defer fees for his children, who would be attending the University a few years later. In 1976, the Dean's Scholar program officially began. In 2003, Clarence's son Jim Dammon, and Jim's wife, Marilynn named the Clarence E. Dammon Dean's Scholar Program with a gift that honors Jim's father and expresses gratitude to Purdue University.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Participation in the Dean's Scholar Program is by invitation only. If you have received an invitation to apply to the Dammon Dean's Scholar Program for the 2012-2013 academic year, please APPLY NOW!

QUESTIONS???

Please contact Michael Loeffelman, the CLA Honors Program Assistant Director, if you questions about the Dammon Dean's Scholar Program. 



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