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Lumen Scholars Program

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The McDaniel Honors Program

The McDaniel Honors Program was instituted by the faculty in 1986 and was renamed the Lumen Scholars Program in 2025. Inspired by the college motto, “I call you out of darkness into light,” the Lumen Scholars Program provides exceptionally motivated and enthusiastic students with interdisciplinary exploration in core-focused courses and opportunities for self-discovery in complex academic and civic contexts.

The program opens doors to challenging courses, cohort-building activities, special study abroad opportunities, and results in an honors designation on your diploma. Lumen Scholars pursue academic careers that deepen their intellectual curiosity, engagement with on- and off-campus communities, and commitment to leadership at McDaniel.

"The Honors Program has offered me incredible moments to connect among a variety of perspectives. I love ideas, there's so much potential out there and ideas are the bridges turning possibilities into opportunities. The Honors Program has been a bridge builder of my college experience."

-Honors Student

Admission to the Lumen Scholars Program

Admission to the Lumen Scholars Program is highly selective and designed to identify students whose applications demonstrate intellectual curiosity, an intrinsic motivation to learn, and potential as leaders in the McDaniel community. Students identified as potential Lumen Scholars are also considered for additional merit scholarships, which reward the excellent academic work of incoming students and further reduce the costs to attend McDaniel.

Students who submit a complete application for admission by December 15 are automatically considered for the Honors program. Based on a combination of core high school GPA, writing samples, honors classes, AP classes, class ranks, and any other areas of significant achievement, your admissions counselor will identify you as a potential Honors student and you will be invited to apply. As a point of reference, recent applicants have had an average GPA of 3.85; in addition, these students completed many honors, AP, and IB courses (when available), and pursued an average of 4 years of foreign language in high school. Students identified as potential Honors students will also be invited to our invitation-only Scholars on the Hill event.

Transfer students who have achieved a GPA of at least 3.75 are invited to apply to the program on an individual basis. McDaniel College has articulation agreements with the honors programs at Carroll Community College, Frederick Community College, and Louisburg College in South Carolina. Students transferring to the McDaniel Honors Program complete a modified set of program requirements, as agreed upon with the Director.

Sophomore-level students who have demonstrated their potential as honors students in their first semesters at McDaniel College are identified and invited to apply to the Honors Program based on their academic performance. The faculty advisory committee for the Honors Program reviews these applications and makes final decisions regarding admittance.

The Lumen Scholars Program Curriculum

Lumen Scholars courses are core-focused and fulfill general education requirements.

Students take one course per year with fellow Lumen Scholars in environments that engage in experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and personal reflection. Courses emphasize how a student’s chosen field of study intersects with other fields both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Lumen Scholars Program augments the “My Place” component of the McDaniel Commitment by incorporating a “place as text” approach, connecting local experiences to global contexts that promote broader, deeper critical thinking.

Program requirements Students who complete the following program requirements receive the designation of Lumen Program Scholar.

Embed (4 credits; fall or spring of first year)
Explore (4 credits; fall or spring of second year)
Examine OR Enlighten (4 credits; fall or spring of third year)
Envision (4 credits; fall or spring of fourth year)
Overall GPA of 3.5 or better

Benefits of the Honors Program

The Lumen Scholars Program provides many benefits to student participants. Our goal is to offer rigorous academic challenges that engage beyond traditional coursework and extracurricular community-building opportunities. Mentorship and professional development sessions covering special opportunities for Lumen Scholars — including grants, research opportunities, study abroad options, and conferences — are hosted each semester by the director.

Priority Registration

Lumen Scholars register for classes in the first group of their respective class years, helping to relieve some of the stress that can come with the demands of balancing a complex schedule.

Unique Courses

Faculty members from disciplines across campus contribute to unique and challenging courses just for our Lumen Scholars. These courses are small and allow students to dive into complex subjects in diverse fields without the need to take introductory courses first. Because these courses meet general education requirements that students need anyway, they fit easily into the McDaniel experience.

Unique Study Abroad Opportunities

Students who participate in the Lumen Scholars Program have an option during their junior year for an exclusive January Term course located at McDaniel’s campus in Budapest, Hungary. In addition, Lumen Scholars are allowed to study abroad in Budapest in the spring semester of their first year, a full semester earlier than most other students.

The Lumen Scholars Community

First-year students engage in a cohort-building retreat as part of an expanded McDaniel Local experience. This retreat includes a design challenge with the director and introductions to campus and community VIPs. Exclusive, annual special events for Lumen Scholars include a welcome dinner, seasonal events in October and March, an end-of-year celebration of graduating seniors, and pop-up surprises in the program’s headquarters on campus, the Lumen Lounge.

Leadership Opportunities

On campus, Lumen Scholars are leaders among leaders and are well-represented in every group, from team captains to the first-year council to the Student Government Association. Within the Lumen Scholars Program, students have an active voice and can run for positions on the student Honors Club executive board.

Academic Research Opportunities

With the support of faculty, many students complete undergraduate research and present their work at Honors conferences. Lumen Scholars are mentored in this process, further preparing them for the next steps in their educational or professional journeys. Conferences where students present include The Maryland Collegiate Honors Council and the Northeast Regional Honors Council.

Mentorship by the Program Director

The Lumen Scholars Program director serves as an additional advisor for honors students, meeting with them to put opportunities in their pathways and help them make the most of their McDaniel experience.

Official recognition as a “Lumen Program Scholar”

Upon completing the program, students are officially named Lumen Program Scholars and this honor is noted on their transcripts. Students are recognized at the spring awards ceremony and at Commencement, where they wear special cords.

Access to the Honors Alumni Network

Honors students join a network of over 400 honors alumni who provide mentorship to current students and help connect them to post-graduate opportunities.

Connect With Us

Chloe Irla

Assistant Dean of Faculty Development / Director, Honors Program

Email Prof. Irla

Phone: 410-857-2597