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Honors Program

Honors Scholarship Recipients

Demonstrating achievement in and out of the classroom
Pictured above, left to right: (top row) Ekta Khoteja, Elijah Davis, Alia Jahangir; (bottom row) Cody Arvonen, Nurit Fort, Zach Stevenson.

We are excited to announce this semester’s Honors scholarship recipients, who have demonstrated impressive Academic Excellence through their service and scholarship. Each year the Honors Program awards scholarships to dedicated students who have stretched themselves academically. We congratulate them for their achievement and progress in Honors. Keep reading to learn about their Honors experiences, and submit your application for Honors scholarships for the Robert K. Thomas or Khona scholarships for Winter semester by October 30th! Learn more about eligibility for the Robert K. Thomas or Khona Awards here.

Robert K Thomas Scholarship, Fall 2023

The Robert K. Thomas Scholarship is named after the founder of the BYU Honors Program. Dr. Thomas “felt a special affinity for the aspiring few and truly believed they would set a standard that would raise the level of academic achievement throughout the university.” This scholarship is awarded to Honors students each semester who are currently working on their theses.

Zach Stevenson
Majors: American Studies and French
My name is Zach Stevenson, I graduate in April 2024 and I’m pursuing a double major in American Studies and French. I’m the fourth of seven children, and for those who are into Honors program trivia, I’ll note in passing that my older brother Josh received this scholarship last academic year—so you might say that we make quite the prestigious duo. I’m frequently asked why I decided to major in American Studies, and on my more loquacious days I say that as a junior in high school I read a published version of the 1999 installment of the William E. Massey Sr. Lectures in the History of American Civilization, and was so taken with Andrew Delbanco’s mediation on the role of hope in the American project that I decided that deconstructing (with generosity) the American mythos could make for a rather engaging course of study. When I don’t feel inclined to tell the full story of my conversion, I simply say that the major represents a convergence of many of my intellectual interests, among them American history, American literature and American politics. Both answers are true.

In keeping with these interests, for my Honors thesis I’ll be analyzing the role of reconciliation in the American author Marilynne Robinson’s first two works of fiction, Housekeeping and Gilead. I’ll be drafting, presenting on and polishing that paper this fall, and will subsequently use it as my writing sample for applications to PhD programs in English literature. In terms of how my Honors education will help me in my future endeavors, I credit Honors 320 with pushing me to make revision a central feature of the writing process, a reflex that I hope to use constantly in my future career as a scholar.

Cody Arvonen
Majors: Computer Engineering
Minors: Entrepreneurship, Math, and Computer Science
My name is Cody Arvonen and I am from Chico, California. I am majoring in computer engineering with minors in entrepreneurship, mathematics, and computer science. Being a part of the BYU Honors Program has been an incredible experience and has opened up many doors of opportunity for me. The Honors Program influenced me to seek out leadership opportunities and instilled in me a desire to participate in interdisciplinary teams. As a result, I became involved in the BYU Sandbox startup incubator where I worked on a team with business students and designers. I also became involved in the Global Engineering Outreach (GEO) class and club, which would later form the foundation for my Honors thesis.

During the GEO class, I had the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team of engineers (including mechanical, chemical, and electrical engineers) to develop a cookstove emissions sensor for homes in Peru. My honors thesis will dive deeper into my contributions as a computer engineer to developing the emissions sensor. This experience has given me hands-on experience with engineering, leadership, and humanitarian outreach, and inspired me to use my skills to help and serve others. When I graduate, I plan to continue participating in research at graduate school. I am interested in helping develop computing devices that are smart, low-powered, and have a significant social impact. My time in the BYU Honors Program has given me the skills and confidence to pursue my goals.

West Honors Scholarship, 2023-24

The Robert K. Thomas Scholarship is named for the West family.  As alumni of the BYU Honors Program, members of the West family established the scholarship to support first-generation college students early in their undergraduate careers.

Elijah Davis
Majors: Neuroscience and Statistics
My name is Elijah Davis, and I am a junior at BYU studying neuroscience and statistics in the Honors program. Last year I had the opportunity to dedicate more time to my research. This led to my involvement in research publications and conferences, as well as an internship at Harvard Medical School this summer. During my internship, I conducted my own first-author project. These experiences have been crucial in shaping my career goals of pursuing an MD/PhD and becoming a physician-scientist.

The Honors Program has exposed me to interdisciplinary perspectives and expanded my ways of thinking. My education through the program has been enlightening, and I am eagerly looking forward to proposing my thesis soon which will incorporate my summer research.

Suzette Nurit Fort
Major: Pre-Business
My name is Suzette Nurit Fort, but I always go with Nurit. I am an international student from Lima, Peru. I am a freshman here at BYU and plan to major somewhere in the Marriott Business School. I consider myself to be someone that believes a lot in education. And that is why I joined the Honors Program, because it makes you think outside of the box and I know that it will prepare me to be a more educated person, who will be able to make a change for the world. Another reason why I consider the Honors Program beneficial for me is because of the unique opportunity it offers for academic excellence. This amazing program is an opportunity that the university gives us to aspire to great things in both our professional and personal lives.

One of the goals I have set for myself is to graduate from BYU and do a master’s degree. I know that this program can help me to prepare a strong resume for my future graduate school application. It will help me develop several qualities which perhaps, I have not fully developed, including my inquiry skills, and the ability to do long research papers that require research and analysis. Also, I hope to explore a broad range of disciplines, though my next step in Honors is to fully commit!

Alia Youjin Jahangir
Major: Pre-Business
I joined the Honors Program at BYU with an unwavering sense of responsibility towards Pakistan, my father's country that embraced me despite my foreign appearance. The hospitality I experienced was occasionally tinged with the bitterness of racist jokes, stemming from skewed media portrayals. Recognizing the need for a broader perspective to effect societal change, I embraced discomfort to positively impact my country. I saw the Honors Program as a catalyst for transformative change. Enveloped within a community of scholars, I foresaw a haven of interdisciplinary thinking that turns inspiration into tangible societal change.

My audacious ambition is to reshape Pakistan's status quo through a career in politics. I aspire to be distinct, not just in appearance, but also in my unwavering determination. Acting as a visual anomaly that can captivate the nation's attention, inspiring countless individuals to break free from societal constraints and embrace their boundless potential. The Honors Program equips me with tools to navigate complex political landscapes. Equipped with integrity, empathy, and diverse understanding, I intend to innovate solutions for Pakistan's persistent challenges.

Upon my return to Pakistan, I plan to carry the indomitable spirit of the Honors Program, striving relentlessly to bridge divides and foster unity. My vision encompasses transforming Pakistan's global image, eradicating stereotypes, and showcasing the authentic essence of the country. For me, the Honors program is not just a means to an end, but a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth. It embodies my commitment to creating a lasting impact and mirrors my endeavor to embody the change I wish to see.

Ekta Kamal Khoteja
Major: Statistics
Minor: Computer Science
I am Ekta Khoteja and I am from Nepal, the rooftop of the world. Specifically, I grew up in the vibrant capital city of Kathmandu where I was immersed in colorful traditions that have shaped me into a resilient and diligent individual. My biggest aspiration in life is to earn a Ph.D. in Statistics, and I believe that the Honors Program at BYU will be an excellent stepping stone toward making that dream a reality. Alongside my love for Statistics, I am also passionate about criminology and forensics, a field that is currently untapped by Data Science.

The interdisciplinary approach to teaching in the Honors Program caught my attention, and the opportunity to graduate with a published thesis is an added bonus. I am convinced that taking Unexpected Connections courses will help me grow into a more holistic person, which will be an asset as I pursue my Master's degree in Statistics. The rigor of the Honors Program curriculum has taught me a variety of valuable and unexpected life lessons, one of my favorites being how to be a better consumer and producer of media from the "Playing with Reality" course. I am excited to dive into writing my thesis and to experience all of the other unique opportunities the Honors Program has to offer.