On Feb. 6, Whitworth University welcomed 70 high-achieving prospective students to campus for the first Honors Scholarship Weekend of the year. Hosted by the Admissions Office and Honors Program, the first of three events offered students the opportunity to explore campus and compete in an essay competition, awarding three full-ride scholarships and 10 to 20 semifinalist scholarships, consistent with the remaining Honors Scholarship Weekend events.
The events are extended by invitation to students with strong high school records who have been accepted to Whitworth. Making up at least 40% of the admitted students population at Whitworth, admissions anticipates around 100 students to participate in each of the remaining Honors Weekends.
Whitworth alumna and director of Prospective Student Engagement Jeannie Huskisson said the admissions team aims to share Whitworth’s story while helping students discern whether the university is the right fit.
“Our goal isn’t to give a sales pitch,” Huskisson said, “We want students to find their happy college home.”
Huskisson pointed to feedback from a parent that reflected the program’s message.
“What really sets Whitworth apart is that you’re certainly not just a face in the crowd,” a parent wrote in a post-event survey, “We felt the personal connection and appreciated the positive perspectives concerning other institutions being considered. I like the ‘finding the right fit’ message so much better than the sales pitch on why your institution is best.”
Huskisson said the comment affirmed the admissions team’s approach, “A hundred percent of the parents and guests who have taken that evaluation form have said that it was excellent.”
While organizers played a significant role in the event’s success, Whitworth students who host visiting students are the ones who make the Honors Weekend experience so unique.
Whitworth students can sign up and work as overnight hosts for attendees who decide to stay overnight for the event. Whitworth students who are hosting have their assigned guest stay with them overnight in their dorm rooms.
Among the hosts were second-year health science students and roommates, Abby Janssen and Isabella Cheng. Both entered through Whitworth’s Honors Program and are enrolled in the accelerated dual-degree program that would allow them to earn a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in occupational therapy in six years. Before enrolling, they attended an Honors Scholarship Weekend as prospective students and competed in the essay contest.
Janssen and Cheng shared that among their motivations in saying “yes” to Whitworth was the academic excellence of their department through the professors and the program itself.
“Not only am I going to get an education here, but also, I can tell that the faculty and staff really care. They want to get to know you as a person, and not just like a number,” said Cheng.
Janssen also highlighted her growth inside and outside her department.
“Getting to know the people within my department and as a Student Success coach, continuing to form my community, that’s something I really appreciate.”
Their student guest of the weekend was Marissa Disadila, a high school senior from Kent, Washington. Disadila is considering majoring in economics because of her passion for mathematics.
“I’m looking forward to networking and having the opportunity to get to know my peers, as well as professors and professionals within the Whitworth community.”
She expressed that Whitworth’s smaller class sizes appealed to her because it allows for closer connections with professors and stronger career networks.
Along with Disadila, visiting students left the weekend with the opportunity to gain academic scholarships and a closer look into Whitworth’s story. For Huskisson and the admissions team, that outcome signals success as they strive to create space for students to imagine themselves at Whitworth and discern whether it feels like home.
