Centenary creates Honors Program for top students

Centenary University has created a program that enables top students to engage in advanced study and scholarly research, it announced Wednesday.

The Hackettstown-based college said 23 students will be the first to take part in its new Honors Program this fall, based on a rigorous selection process.

The honors students include 12 incoming freshman and a transfer student who are new to the campus, along with 10 current sophomores and juniors.

“We were looking not just for the students with the highest GPAs, but for well-rounded students,” Lauren Bergey, associate professor of biology and director of the Honors Program, said in a prepared statement. “They needed to show evidence of leadership and community service. Through this program, Centenary brings in high-quality students who are real go-getters.”

Bergey formed an Honors Council at the college to develop the program over the past year.