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Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
University Honors Program

Honors Forum

The life of Mark Twain. The rise of the surveillance state. Aerial dance. A history of African American music. The curious case of the disappearing bee. How Will became Shakespeare. Restoring the Mississippi River. Societal impacts of genetic engineering...

These topics and many more have been covered by the Honors Forum. Forum provides opportunities for students to encounter and consider controversial issues, cutting-edge technologies, and a range of questions drawn from the arts, the sciences, and politics. Honors Forum features musical and theatrical performances, addresses by major public figures, world-class scientists, and renowned authors, conversations with faculty members, and debates and discussions of significant public policy issues.

The Requirement

Honors Forum (HON 110/111) is a zero credit-hour academic course. University Honors Program (UHP) students must successfully pass two semesters of Honors Forum within their first two to three years in the UHP to remain active in the program. In order to successfully pass the course, students must attend a minimum of twelve (12) Honors Forum events over the course of the semester. Each semester there are an average of over 150 events to choose from, and these include a wide variety of guest lectures, performances, field trips, and small group discussions.

Forum Guests for Fall 2024

The following events are free and open to the NC State public. All events will take place beginning at 4:30 PM in Witherspoon Student Cinema, unless otherwise noted below.

  • August 26 & 27 – Kevin Fedarko, New York Times bestselling author of A Walk In The Park
  • September 30 @ 5:00 PM – The American Values Lecture, presented by NC State’s School of Public and International Affairs: Frank Bruni, New York Times columnist and best-selling author of The Age of Grievance
  • October 1 – Dr. Iain Stewart, Geologist
  • October 7 & 8 (in partnership with NC State LIVE) – Nobuntu, all-female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe
  • October 22 – Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy, former director of NC State’s African American Cultural Center, Professor of English, and award-winning author, poet and filmmaker
  • November 11 & 12 (in partnership with NC State LIVE) – Huang Yi, choreographer, dancer, inventor
  • November 18 – Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar, Dr. Douglas Emlen, evolutionary biologist, Fellow of the American Academy of Arts, Phi Beta Kappa Scholar and Regents Professor of Biology at the University of Montana
  • November 19 @ 5:00 PM – Pope Lecture: Daniel Hannan, member of the Conservative Party representing the UK in the European Parliament for over 20 years and a leading force in the Brexit movement

Alternate Forum Events

In addition to the weekly, regularly occurring Honors Forum lecture, students also have the opportunity to attend a wide variety of Alternate Forum events including:

  • small group discussions, including book clubs and our “In The Headlines” events
  • films in our film series
  • musical and theatrical performances hosted by Arts NC State, NC State LIVE, and local theatres throughout the Triangle
  • field trips to museums and other sites of cultural and historical significance
  • outdoor excursions such as stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking, and group bike rides
  • volunteer service opportunities with local community partners