Hesston sees highest percentage of students on honor roll, Dean’s list in years

by Austin Braddock – Horizon Features Editor

In January Hesston College released the names of 121 students who received fall academic honors, the highest percentage of qualifying students in seven consecutive semesters. To be on the Dean’s list one must have a 3.9-4.0 GPA. In order to make the honor roll one must achieve at least a 3.5-3.89.

Neither of these accomplishments are small feats. In fact, fewer than one-third of Hesston students have been able to reach them in the past three-and-a-half years.

So how does one reach academic honors? Professors Karen Levan and Marissa King weighed in with some advice.

LeVan, professor of English says it’s about the basics.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” LeVan said. “Read your book.”

LeVan also suggests if it’s a subject that you don’t care about, “figure out how to care about it because if you don’t you won’t learn it.”

Marissa King, professor of Education and English, says it’s all about respecting yourself enough to complete the best work you can, and don’t slack off on any assignments. Her motto for learning is represented by a quote by Adrienne Rich, a famous poet and essayist: “Claim your education.”

Achieving academic honors is tough, but especially for students who do extra curricular activities. In order to better your chances, take the advice of Brittany Kramer, a basketball player on the Dean’s list.

Kramer says she spends three hours per day on basketball, not counting home and away games. So she really has to “study and practice during her free time” and has always prided herself on paying attention in class and “doing her best in everything.”

Another student athlete who reached the Dean’s list is Oliver Denlinger, a sophomore RA involved in cross country and music at campus worship. He works ahead so he doesn’t feel in a rush during a “time crunch” and can do his best in everything.

Denlinger said during cross country season he put in up to two 1/2 hours into the sport per day, not including Saturday meets.

His advice to reach the Dean’s list is work hard, pay attention to Moodle, study, and learn time management. Still, students in career programs might have the best advice.

Jasmine Yoder, a nursing student on the Dean’s list, says she spends 8-10 hours a day on nursing alone. Compared to other studies, she said, nursing is the hardest things she has ever done.  Nursing clinicals are once-a-week in 12-hour shifts and on days she isn’t in clinicals she studies 2-6 hours per day. She suggests staying organized, prioritize your time, be passionate and do your best,  are the keys to getting good grades and being on the Dean’s list.