New Sheridan Honors Institute Expands the Honors Program
Benedictine College has long had an Honors Program, but the college is launching an expanded and improved program for the fall called the Sheridan Honors Institute. The new Institute is named after Dr. Thomas F. Sheridan, a major donor to the college whose multi-million-dollar gift helped establish the Sheridan Center for Classical Studies, under which the Honors Institute is housed.
Dr. Andrew Salzmann, associate professor of Theology and director of the Sheridan Center, will serve as co-chair of the new Honors Institute, along with Dr. Anthony Crifasi, associate professor of Philosophy. Salzmann explained that the new program is redirecting its focus, adding courses in Western tradition, and expanding from 24 seats to 40 seats. Applications are available online. The deadline to participate beginning in Fall 2026 is December 15, 2025.
“The College is committing more instructors to the Institute’s work. We are also expanding our commitment to teaching the Western tradition,” he said. “In addition to the four Great Books courses we currently offer, Honors scholars will have the opportunity to take new courses which explore the role of literature, science and art in Western civilization and the Catholic intellectual tradition.”
The new Sheridan Honors Institute has been built to be rigorous and personalized. Based on the Liberal Arts heritage of the school, each Honor scholar receives an enriched education that is uniquely tailored to them. Through the Sheridan Honors Institute, Honors students are given an opportunity to discern potential career pathways, receive one-on-one mentorship with hand-selected professors, develop their research skill sets, and advance in professionalism.
“Honors students have the opportunity to take focused courses or independent study courses within their majors,” said Salzmann. “Even more importantly, during their senior year, they complete and present a year-long project which seeks to give them expertise in the field which they hope to join.”
Dr. Mariele Courtois, assistant professor of Theology, took charge of the Honors Project process to improve it for the new Institute.
“The Honors Project allows the students to demonstrate what they have learned, where their talents lie, and where they’re going next,” said Courtois. “There’s been some steps taken to help with further professionalization. The honors project trains them for things they’re going to encounter after college.”
One key aspect current Honors students had requested was the ability to demonstrate that they had taken part in the program. In answer to that request, Honors courses will now carry the HONR prefix and will be displayed on student transcripts. This revision will begin with the Fall 2025 semester. Since many Honors students continue their education after graduation, this will now allow them to show their participation in the Sheridan Honors Institute as an extra boost on their resumes or when pursuing admission to graduate school.
“While all students at Benedictine take courses in philosophy, art, theology and the sciences, we encourage students who are looking to dive even more deeply into the Liberal Arts and the Catholic intellectual tradition to consider applying to the Sheridan Honors Institute,” said Salzmann. “While all students at Benedictine have an opportunity to do student-led research in their major, we encourage students seeking to pursue excellence in their own research to consider applying to the Sheridan Honors Institute. If that sounds like you, please apply! Our deadline is Dec. 15, 2025, and the application is, I think, almost fun. Tell us about a piece of literature you believe is important. Tell us about yourself and your academic passions. Show us that you want to dive deeper with the Institute.”
Applications are available online. The deadline for Fall 2026 is December 15, 2025.
Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is honored to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the best private college in Kansas by The Wall Street Journal, and one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. Benedictine College is dedicated to transforming culture in America through its mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.
