The Lewis Honors College is Kentucky's Honors College. In October 2015, the University of Kentucky received the largest single gift in its history, $23.5 million from alumnus, longtime donor and successful entrepreneur Thomas W. Lewis and his wife Jan to create the Lewis Honors College. On July 10, 2017, Dr. Christian Brady was announced as the inaugural dean of the college. The Lewis Honors College was transitioned from the Honors Program at UK in 2015. The Honors Program at UK began in 1961. As of August 2017, construction has been completed on Lewis Hall. Lewis houses 2-bedroom suite style rooms for the Honors students. The building also includes classrooms, study spaces, and a small ballroom for programming. Mission The mission of the Lewis Honors College is to better the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity. Academic Life An Honors education at UK opens up an exciting world of inquiry, including research, education abroad, and service that will challenge students intellectually, provide access to the most creative minds at UK, and prepare participants for advanced study and to make a difference in the world upon graduation. The Honors curriculum requires Honors coursework in UK Core Inquiry, participation in at least two for-credit Honors Experiences, an Honors Thesis, and a choice of coursework campus-wide to fulfill the educational goals of the Honors student. Students in the Lewis Honors College are paired with an Honors academic advisor in addition to the academic advisor they are assigned by major. Honors Academic Advisors help students tailor their educational experiences so that intellectual curiosity shapes their academic pursuits. They also work to align students' individual passions with their purpose, and to ensure each course enriches their collegiate journey. Honors faculty come from a variety of disciplines across campus and offer small, discussion-based classes with some of the most sought-after faculty at UK. The Lewis Honors College is also home to nine full-time faculty lecturers who teach, mentor and interact with honors students on a daily basis and can be found in their offices in Lewis any day of the week. Student Life The Lewis Honors College engages students in a community-oriented learning environment through enriching experiences that complement their academic life, leading to intellectual, personal, and social growth. The approach is to make every student feel a sense of belonging through diverse curricular and co-curricular programs that promote interaction with faculty and staff. The college has teams of Peer Mentors, Residential Advisors, and Honors Student Council representatives who work together to plan and implement activities and programs that encourage students to maintain a healthy balance of living and learning while pursuing their life dreams. Center for Personal Development Each Lewis Honors College student is paired with a personal development counselor to form a collaborative partnership as they explore their purpose and build personal resiliency. Services are provided through individual sessions and college-wide programs. In addition to prioritizing academic pursuits, the Center for Personal Development opens students up to self-reflection and exploration of their values, mission, and purpose. As a result, students learn more about the world and their place in it. The Center for Personal Development is dedicated to supporting students through a holistic approach as they realize their potential. With the support of a student's designated personal development counselor, they are able to clarify goals, identify barriers, and develop a game plan for success.
