The Honors College at Montana State University provides opportunities for students to study, conduct research, and exchange ideas in a challenging and supportive academic environment. In addition to learning from outstanding faculty members, honors students can attend special Honors seminars, take interdisciplinary Honors courses, and engage in independent study and research opportunities.
About
Located in Bozeman, Montana, the mission of the Montana State University Honors College is to prepare academically motivated students to think independently and become their own best teachers. The Honors College provides enriched academic opportunities for more than 1,300 Montana State University students. In addition to degrees in their majors, honors students who complete curriculum requirements also graduate with a University Honors degree. During recent years, MSU honors students have won numerous top scholarships, including two Rhodes Scholarships and several Goldwater awards. Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee is the current dean of the college.
History
Initially founded in 1964 as an honors program, the precursor to the Honors College began under the direction of Montana State University philosophy professor Harry Hauser. Due to university fiscal shortfall, the honors program was declared bankrupt in June 1972. Without adequate resources and in response to shortcomings of faculty and departmental leadership the program was dissolved.
With an increased institutional budget, the honors program was reestablished in 1981. Department of English chairperson Arthur Coffin was the first director of the restored program. Unlike many of its contemporaries at other universities that were almost entirely rooted within the humanities, the 1981 iteration of the Montana State University honors program was purposefully created as an all-university entity. Many of the initial enrollees were from non-humanities majors. In 1984 the honors program received increased support and was able to hire a full-time chairperson, professor of English Alanna Brown.
The 1985-86 academic year saw the addition of scholarships, curricular changes, and facility improvements for the honors program. These changes allowed the program to grow in scope and in student enrollment. Thanks to the bequest of alumnus Phyllis Berger, Montana State University made available 20 new Presidential Scholarships for incoming freshman. Recipients who were also enrolled in the honors program could apply for an additional University Honors Program Scholarship. Beginning in fall 1985, all students enrolled in the honors program were required to enroll in a first-year interdisciplinary seminar, “Texts and Critics.” Additionally, the honors program was afforded instructional and residential space within Atkinson Quadrangle.
In 2013 the Montana University System Board of Regents decided to elevate the honors program to a college. During the same meeting, Montana University System Board of Regents appointed honors program director Ilse-Mari Lee as dean of the newly founded Montana State University Honors College.
Dean of the Honors College
Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee is the first and current dean of Montana State University Honors College. Lee has held the position since the honors program was promoted to Honors College by Montana University System Board of Regents in September 2013.
Prior to becoming dean of Montana State University Honors College, Lee was professor of music at Montana State University. Lee has received numerous awards in recognition of her teaching and service. Accolades include: Mortar Board Professor of the Month (2001), Distinguished Service to the University Honors Program award (2006), Bozeman Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teaching Award (2001, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016), President's Excellence in Teaching Award (2006), and Wiley Award for Meritorious Research at Montana State University (2008).
Lee holds a bachelor's degree in music from University of the Witwatersrand. Lee also holds two master's degrees—Cello Performance (1986) and Music Theory and Composition (1986), both from Northern Illinois University. She received a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Cello Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Arizona (1989).
In addition to her administrative duties, Lee is also active as a concert soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, as well as a composer. She is a highly regarded performer both domestically and internationally.