College of the Pacific
Honors Program
Centered at the heart of a comprehensive national university, the College of the Pacific provides a small liberal arts college experience that continues to attract some of the best high school students from around the country.
Every year, about 15 to 20 percent of the freshman class is invited to join the university’s honors program, and many of these are students in the College of the Pacific.
Honors students participate in designated honors courses as well as a broad range of co-curricular programs designed to enrich their social, cultural and intellectual lives.
The program is directed by Dr. George Randels, a beloved professor of Religious Studies whose popular courses such as “Sex, Sin and Salvation,” “Biomedical Ethics” and “Religion and Cinema” belie his commitment to integrative, innovative and introspective learning.
“Love of learning is the guide of life.”
—Phi Beta Kappa motto
Phi Beta Kappa Society
In 2006, the College of the Pacific was honored to be chosen to host a new chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most well-known academic honor society with highly selective parameters for appointing new member institutions.
As a champion of education in the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, Phi Beta Kappa’s recognition of the College of the Pacific underscores our success at delivering the best that a liberal arts education offers.
- Only about 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide have Phi Beta Kappa chapters.
- Only about 10 percent of the arts and sciences graduates of these institutions are selected for Phi Beta Kappa membership.
- Membership serves to acknowledge students’ academic achievements, providing them with distinction in job and graduate school markets.
