A Home for Honors: New Space Builds Community and Connection

The Ron and Laura Strain Honors College has moved! After years of being housed in Esch Hall, the Strain Honors College now has its own dedicated home on State Avenue.

The new Honors House provides an inviting environment for students to study, learn, and connect. The two-story home features a variety of comfortable study spaces, a conference room, a fully equipped kitchen, a cozy den, and a welcoming front porch for enjoying nice weather.

“What excites me most about this new space is that it gives us an environment that naturally lends itself to both community and collaboration—and in a greater way than we’ve had in the past,” said Dr. Jim Williams, Dean of the Honors College. “Although we are a ‘place of business,’ being set in a home feels much more relational and more natural to have conversations than it would in a traditional office.”

Both the Dean’s and Associate Dean’s offices are now located within the house, offering students more opportunities to connect with Honors leadership.

“I feel much more connected and integrated being in the same space,” said Dr. Greg Shufeldt, Associate Dean of the Strain Honors College. “Here, I get to know all the students better—not just those who come to see me by appointment. It’s been wonderful so far, and we’re excited to host new-student programming and take advantage of all the opportunities this space has to offer.”

Since opening, the Honors House has already served as a hub of activity. Shortly after its launch, Honors alumni returned to campus to tour the space and connect with the current Honors class. This semester, students hosted a slideshow night in the living room, where they shared updates on their Honors research projects, received peer feedback, and practiced their presentation skills.

“The Honors House has been a super exciting addition to the Honors program and has helped the college feel even more established with its own physical space,” said Rachel Bush ’26 (Studio Art, Painting), President of the Honors Student Association. “In addition to cozy study and meeting spaces, the Honors House has been a valuable resource for the Honors Student Association, providing us with opportunities for new events that bring our student community closer together. We’ve already worked to make the house feel like home this autumn with snacks and pumpkin carving! I’m thrilled to see how the space continues to be used to benefit students and give our Honors College a home.”

The new space will also support deeper collaboration between students and faculty.

“We’d like to host students and faculty together for a variety of purposes—whether related to the work they’re doing in Honors courses or simply for connecting and getting to know others in their academic departments,” Williams said. “As they progress on their Honors projects, we want students to familiarize themselves with the faculty doing work they find interesting and inspiring.”

With the Honors House quickly becoming a campus hub, students will play an essential role in shaping how the space evolves.

“First and foremost, this is their space,” Williams said. “We want them to feel ownership and to have a voice in how the house is used. If they have ideas for how we can use this space to their advantage, I hope they’ll share them with us and the Honors Student Association.”

The Strain Honors College House is located at 3949 S. State Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.