By Jacob Clavijo | Editor-in-Chief
The Westover Honors Program at the University of Lynchburg will undergo substantive changes at the end of the spring 25 semester. In addition to expanding its curriculum, Westover will now be overseen by a dedicated committee and an honors director.
“Students will now have the opportunity to choose honors variations of existing courses from a wider range of disciplines, including courses within their major field of study,” said Dr. Robert Granger, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in an email to honors students on Thursday.
Westover’s abrupt transformation, announced in a series of emails last week, has left some honors students uncertain about their future within the program.
“If they change the program completely, what does that look like for the student?” said Za’lexia Bogan ‘26, a theater major who has been a part of Westover since her sophomore year.
A note left at the entrance to Westover Honors Community. Photo by Jacob Clavijo.
These changes surprised everyone, including Dr. Beth Savage, who currently serves as the Director of the Westover Honors Community. She is an advisor to all Westover fellows, plans community events, and recruits prospective students to the program.
On Thursday, Dr. Savage was notified that this would be her last semester serving in her role, which she has done since 2020.
“I’m certainly disappointed,” said Dr. Savage. “It was unexpected to me.”
Dr. Savage has reached out to Westover students to help ease their frustration.
In an email to students, Dr. Savage wrote, “We are still an honors program and are not being eliminated. The changes are changes in curriculum and in leadership, as I will no longer be the director.”
She ended her email with a heartfelt message to students: “It has been the privilege of my professional life to work with the amazing students who have come through this program–you all included.”
Westover students were told that the forthcoming changes would not affect their financial aid packages; however, they were adamant that their biggest concern was the shift’s effect on their tight-knit community.
“Half of the students that I know are from Westover,” Bogan said. “If they get rid of the community, then it would be harder to connect with people.”
Henry Gardiner ‘27, a Westover student who majors in English, is doubtful that these changes will positively impact the community.
“Curriculum changes are probably gonna get rid of the community,” said Gardiner. “Just doesn’t seem like it’d be Westover anymore.”
Gardiner, who has been in the program since his first year, attributes his success to the classes and relationships he has developed within the Westover community.
“As a freshman, I came in without a major, and it was two Westover classes that helped me settle on English specifically. I don’t even know where I’d be, as far as a major, if it weren’t for those Westover courses,” Gardiner expressed.
Message outside the Office of Dr. Beth Savage. Photo by Jacob Clavijo.
While emails have been sent to Westover Honors students, the University of Lynchburg has not formally announced the changes coming to the program.
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