IWU’s John Wesley Honors College is a “ Romans 12:2 ” learning community. This means we are devoted to an intensive and creative exploration of Christian truth that nurtures lived wisdom, transformed character, and a tangible life calling. Our paths of learning grapple practically with life’s big questions and complexities so that our graduates can pursue lives of thoughtful Christian discernment in whatever careers and circumstances they eventually inhabit.
Established in 1998, IWU’s John Wesley Honors College ranks as one of the most accomplished honors colleges in the country. Our professors and honors humanities curriculum have earned a national reputation for graduating students capable of translating the riches of the Christian liberal arts tradition into flourishing lives of discernment, virtue, and redemptive impact.
OUR MISSION
The John Wesley Honors College is an intentional learning community established to model and enrich IWU’s commitment to a Christian liberal arts education that nurtures lived wisdom. We thus strive for redemptive excellence by preparing our graduates to discern and inhabit God’s truth, to grow into the liberating virtues of Christ’s goodness, and to embody the sanctifying beauty of God’s reconciling love in a hurting world.
Please note that the John Wesley Honors College requires a separate application in addition to your Indiana Wesleyan University application.
Complete the appropriate JWHC application by following the link here: Online Application
Recommendations are submitted electronically with this form: JWHC Recommendation Form
Two recommendations are required for applicants to the John Wesley Scholars and Mary C. Dodd Honors Program. One of those recommendations must be from someone who knows your academic abilities well such as a high school teacher.
Applicants to the Luther Lee Scholars Program are invited to submit up to two recommendations from those who know them well, but recommendations will not be a key factor in the decision process.
As a final part of the application process, applicants are invited to participate in a JWHC interview. Admission interviews for students seeking to enter the Honors College in the fall of 2024 will be held in-person on the dates given below or can be conducted virtually.
| JWHC Admissions Spotlight Days | Apply By | Notified By |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlight Day # 1: Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 | Oct. 22nd | Dec. 8, 2023 |
| Spotlight Day # 2: Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 | Jan. 21 | Mar. 1, 2024 |
| Rolling Admissions for virtual interviews | Ongoing | Ongoing |
*Note: Students are welcome to attend a spotlight day prior to applying to the JWHC! In this event, the JWHC office will line up a virtual interview after we receive a student’s application.
The JWHC enrolls incoming first-year students, or underclassman transfer students. See below for the distinct honors programs available.
| Honors Program | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| John Wesley Scholars (for High School Seniors) |
Meet ONE of the following:
|
| Luther Lee Scholars (for High School Seniors) |
Student meets honors criteria above (such as a GPA of 3.7 or higher) in addition to the following criteria:
Learn more about the LLS full tuition cap-off scholarship. |
| Mary C. Dodd Scholars (for Transfer Students) |
|
Students who are interested in joining the JWHC's creative, interdisciplinary community of learners must complete an application process that is separate from applying to Indiana Wesleyan University. The JWHC invites applications from:
Prospective students who do not meet the admission criteria may petition to apply to the John Wesley Scholars, Luther Lee Scholars, or Mary C. Dodd Honors Programs. Such students should submit an e-mail to jwhc.admissions@indwes.edu communicating why their academic preparation, intellectual character, and vocational objectives make them strong candidates for admission into an honors learning community. If a student's petition is approved by the Honors College Admissions Committee, then he or she will be invited to apply to the John Wesley Honors College.
Questions about the application or interview process may be directed to jwhc.admissions@indwes.edu or 765-677-1441.
All students accepted into the John Wesley Scholars program receive a four-year scholarship from the Honors College. These Honors College scholarships are distributed annually. Information about the Luther Lee Scholars program, its co-curricular opportunities, and the scholarships awarded can be found at the Luther Lee Scholars Program page.
The Honors College Student Association (HCSA) is a student-run organization that exists to enrich and expand the living and learning experiences of the John Wesley Honors College at Indiana Wesleyan University. All students in the Honors College are members of the HCSA and are encouraged to take part in its activities. A student senate meets bimonthly to plan and oversee various events and gatherings for members. The senators are divided into four committees, each with their own purpose and goals:
The Honors College is developing creative, critical-thinking servant leaders to help shape tomorrow's world. Thanks to their honors learning experiences and mentoring relationships with first-rate faculty members, JWHC graduates have consistently distinguished themselves in their post-IWU careers. They have entered graduate programs at schools such as Oxford, Princeton, Duke, Michigan, University of Chicago and Eastman School of Music. They have become authors, poets, artists and journalists. They have embarked on leadership tracks in corporations, schools, churches, hospitals, charities and government. But most importantly, they have become well-informed, reflective and compassionate agents of Christ in a desperately hurting world.
Our office would love to stay connected along with keeping you up to date with your peers! Please contact Dr. Lanta Davis or honors.office@indwes.edu and request a link to our JWHC alumni page.
As an outgrowth of its mission, the John Wesley Honors College sponsors several public events on the IWU campus each semester which help to foster a vibrant interdisciplinary culture of inquiry and learning beyond the classroom. Guests may find directions to IWU here and a campus map and parking information here. For more information, email honors.office@indwes.edu.
Additionally, the Honors College Student Association plans various events to enliven and enrich the living and learning experiences of JWHC students.
* Events entitled “JWHC” are designated for honors community members. All other events are open to general community members.
| John Wesley Honors College Admissions Spotlight Day | Feb 2 | Barnes Student Center |
| Luther Lee Lecture Series: TBD | March 20 | Phillippe Performing Arts Center |
| Celebration of Scholarship: IWU’s Undergraduate Research Symposium |
April 11 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
Barnes Student Center |
| Celebration of Scholarship Luncheon with the Recipient of the 2021 Aldersgate Prize | April 11 12-1:30 p.m. |
Henry West Banquet Room |
| JWHC End of Year Cook-Out | April 22, 5:30 p.m. |
Goodman Lawn |
| JWHC Graduate Luncheon | April 26 11:00 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Hostess House (Marion, Ind.) |
Jeffrey Tabone Director of Programs and Student Formation; Assistant Professor of Honors Humanities Rusty Hawkins Dean, John Wesley Honors College; Professor of Honors Humanities and History
