Calder Morrison, a member of Flathead Valley Community College’s new Scholars Program, had his choice of colleges after graduating as a valedictorian at Flathead High School in 2008.

He choose FVCC for the first two years of his pursuit of a four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

“I was able to get tuition paid because of my grades in high school,” Morrison said. “The decision to stay at home was the best decision I ever made.”

As he began his sophomore year, Morrison was accepted into the new Scholars Program as one of a select group of 23 intelligent and highly motivated students planning to transfer to a four-year college.

By design, the community college program provides a smooth transition to the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana as well as to the University Honors Program at Montana State University in Bozeman, where Morrison begins next fall.

“Our program was modeled after Bozeman’s,” he said.

To graduate with honors, students need to take seven honors classes, an impossible number for transfer students coming to the campuses in their junior year. With the Scholars Program, they may now pick up three or four during their freshman and sophomore years.

FVCC created four-credit honors courses that pair two of the traditional disciplines — humanities, math, social science, fine arts and science — taught by a team of two instructors. The debut class last fall combined psychology and literature.

“We analyzed literature through a psychological lens,” Morrison said. “The first class was heavily discussion driven. We learned to respectfully argue with each other.”

He describes his Scholars classmates as diverse in gender and ethnicity but unified in their drive to explore ideas and gain knowledge. He said that combination makes for a very stimulating academic experience.

“You’re around people who want to learn,” Morrison said. “They’re really enjoying what they’re doing.”

Once accepted, Scholars students receive full tuition, a cash stipend and access to their own lounge and a classroom permanently set up in a large square for seminar-style learning.

Morrison makes heavy use of those facilities, particularly the classroom equipped with a keypad lock to limit access.

“I’m normally here until the janitor kicks me out,” he said with a laugh. “I got here at 7:30 a.m. and I’ll be here until 10 p.m.”

Scholars students devote much study and research to preparing projects, including a major capstone project, for each semester’s class. Ivan Lorentzen, director of the Scholars Program, and Sue Justis, instructor of medical biology, teach the honors course this semester.

“We’re doing biology and health issues with ethical dilemmas — beginning-of-life and end-of-life issues, extending life,” Lorentzen said. 

Classes meet twice a week for two hours. Both professors attend each class, provide parameters and shepherd discussions.

Justis described it as a very positive experience from her faculty perspective even though she said she had a learning curve stepping up to instruct in ethics.

“That’s what education is

 about — never stop learning,” Justis said. “You need to do something different and get out of your comfort zone. Anatomy and physiology are my comfort zones.”

She considers the discussion format very conducive to learning and thinking —  “trying ideas on for size.” Justis said this particular class provides a very safe environment to have differing views from each other and the instructors.

Lorentzen agreed.

“If they end up thinking like Sue and I, we have failed miserably,” he said.

Lorentzen said the class members thrive as they shoulder the responsibility of preparing and presenting to their fellow Scholars students. The experience mirrors upper-division and graduate-level courses in their futures.

“For students who are highly motivated, it’s a breath of fresh air,” he said. “It’s really gone so very well.”

At a recent class, a student gave a presentation on the ethical dilemmas of medicating students diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Disorder. A lively discussion ensued with other class members asking questions and challenging his ethical stance and conclusions.

At the start of the class, a few students revealed their reasons for applying to the Scholars Program. Caitlin Caltabiano said she was attracted to the idea of studying one academic area from the perspective of another.

“That was a key factor for me,” she said.

Caltabiano said forming close friendships with like-minded students from diverse backgrounds was a bonus of participating. Michelle Seymour echoed that sentiment.

“It’s really nice to be in a group [of students] who have the same goals and values — people interested in school and motivated by education,” she said.

Anmol Manchala enjoys the intellectual interaction. Manchala, a native of India, came to the area with her parents to serve with Youth With A Mission Program in Lakeside.

“I really like bringing ideas to the table to discuss and bounce off each other,” she said.

According to Lorentzen, planning began years ago for a program aimed at benefiting the more advanced and motivated students. It became feasible when the addition of three new campus buildings freed up space for the classroom and lounge.

A steering committee met for three years and Lorentzen spent many hours in discussion with the University of Montana and Montana State University developing articulation agreements for their honors programs. He also worked with the college faculty.

“We needed to have some faculty buy-in,” he said. “These programs don’t run without it.”

The college has begun accepting applications for the fall Scholars class. To apply, students write an essay and submit their GPA, scores from SAT and ACT, a letter of recommendation from a teacher and an essay.

Lorentzen said the steering committee reviews the applications and selects about 20 people to participate who plan to transfer to a four-year college. He said selected students aren’t just the 4.0 high achievers.

The committee considers those who may have struggled and not fit into the typical educational setting but have potential and a love of learning.

“We’re always on the lookout for student who may have a checkered past but has some real interest and motivation,” he said. “The vast majority are just coming out of high school.”

Lorentzen worked with schools this year and last year to let students know about the program. He ended up with participants from each of the Flathead high schools as well as Eureka, St. Ignatius and Thompson Falls.

“The students have been absolutely terrific,” he said. “When you get 20 to 23 of them together in the same room, it’s really fun.”

Students interested in the fall class should apply as soon as possible. For more information, contact Lorentzen at 756-3864 or at ilorentz@fvcc.edu or visit fvcc.edu.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.