SEARCY — Heath Houtchens, of Gravette, a local high school junior, is one of 200 students who are chosen to attend the Harding University Honors Symposium, the Searcy university announced.

Faculty and students come together each summer in the ancient Greek symposium style to share ideas and discuss relevant topics, such as international development, worldview, international relations, theater, missions, the Exodus and music.

“The purpose of the Honors Symposium is for faculty and students alike to sit around a mythological table and talk about important ideas that help shape who we are and what we want to be,” said Dr. Jeff Hopper, dean of the Honors College and International Programs and director of Honors Symposium. “I am so pleased to work with gifted and curious university students, faculty and Symposium students.”

Students participate in lectures, discussion groups and interactive classes, as well as fun activities in the evening to allow them to form friendships with fellow juniors.

Since the program’s creation in 1993, the number of participants has grown from 42 to 200 and, for the past five years, it has hosted students from 40 states and six foreign countries. Each session involves 50 students.

Admission to the Symposium is treated on an individual basis, with special consideration given to grade point average, national standardized test scores and a reference letter. This year all four sessions filled up quickly with waiting lists for each. Students are encouraged to apply early for next summer’s Symposium sessions.

News, Pages 6 on 07/28/2010