JUPITER, FL (September 4, 2008) - The Honors Summer Institute is a three-week residential program in which high-achieving students take one of three or four honors courses and receive three college credits. Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College began the Honors Summer Institute at the John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter on July 9, 2006. At the time, there were 34 rising high school juniors and seniors, each ready to immerse themselves in the college experience. This was an optimal time for these students to experience life at college because they would soon be contemplating which university they would attend.

One student that attended the first year of the Honors Summer Institute was profoundly affected by his involvement. Joseph Praver of Titusville, FL initially came to the Institute because of a recommendation by his mother. “In the beginning, I came because my mom told me it would be good for me, and I found out that she was right.” According to Joseph, it was the summer before he earnestly began considering the college or university he might attend. He enjoyed the Honors Summer Institute so immensely that he chose to apply solely to the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. “I had such a good experience that I decided not to apply anywhere else.”

Joseph is currently a sophomore at the college, and last summer he applied and became a student counselor at the Institute. “I wanted the opportunity to come back to HSI and see the Institute from the other side of the fence. I’m looking forward to applying next year.”