Great Ideas Grants
Honors students have the opportunity to apply for a grant award that will support them as they explore creative, leadership, travel, internship, or research experiences. Up to $2,500 is available per student.
The Phyllis Betts Founders Award
The Phyllis Betts Founders Award is supported by The Phyllis Betts and Richard Janikowski Fund in honor of Phyllis Betts, who founded the UNC Asheville Honors Program in 1985. It is given annually to the graduating University Honors Scholar who most embodies the liberal arts ideal of polymathematics and well-roundedness, having excelled in distinct and often distant fields of study.
The Arnold Wengrow Founders Award
The Arnold Wengrow Founders Award is supported by The Phyllis Betts and Richard Janikowski Fund in honor of Arnold Wengrow, Professor Emeritus of Drama. Professor Wengrow is a tireless advocate for UNC Asheville. It is awarded to the graduating University Honors Scholar(s) who have excelled in their coursework as well as improved the experience of their peers through service and dedication to UNC Asheville more broadly.
The Merritt Moseley Community Award
Established in 2023, The Merritt Moseley Community Award is supported by The Phyllis Betts and Richard Janikowski Fund. Emeritus Professor of English Merritt Moseley was a long-time professor in the Honors Program and co-founded Bulldog Day in 1997, when the University Community comes together to give back. It is given to the Honors student who best exemplifies engagement and participation in the Honors Program. Recipients of this award may demonstrate outstanding commitment to the Honors Program through planning and attending co-curricular and extracurricular activities, leadership on Honors-related organizations, and service opportunities related to the Honors Program.
Previous Awardees
The Phyllis Betts Founders Award
2018 Abigail Stephens
2017 Savannah Purdy
2016 Massey Bartolini
2015 Giovanni Figaro
2014 Corey McClintock, Caroline Ketcham, Kyle Cavagnini
2013 Charlotte Pate
2012 Kristina Bender
2011 Tiffany Yates
2010 Jordan Wolfe