The Dersu family from La Vergne, Tenn., visited during the 2012 University Honors College Presidents’ Day Open House at MTSU. (From left) Megan, Vivian and Jealanne Dersu learn about CUSTOMS from graduate student Jacki Lancaster, who also works with Parent and Family Association programs. (MTSU file photo)

High school and transfer students and their families from across Tennessee are invited to the Presidents’ Day Open House at Middle Tennessee State University’s Honors College and new Student Union Building from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18.

The University Honors College offers an Ivy League experience for high-ability scholars, said Laura Clippard, Honors College adviser. The Honors College provides small classes, dedicated faculty, unique curricular and extracurricular experiences and Collage, an award-winning arts and literary magazine, she added.

“Intensive academic and social interaction between faculty members and students also helps to create a neighborhood of exuberant vitality,” Clippard said of the Honors College experience.

High school students must have a 25 ACT or higher and 3.5 GPA or higher to be qualified to participate in the Honors College. Transfer students must have a college GPA of a 3.25 or higher.

The Honors College is planning a combination of educational and fun activities for prospective students and their families including free lunch, use of the game room at the Student Union Building, optional tours (campus/housing, nursing, aerospace air traffic control lab and two mass communication tours), special activities (“mad science” or mock trial demonstration) and the chance to speak directly with financial-aid representatives and the academic advisers from the different colleges within the university.

For more information and registration, go to the Honors College website at www.mtsu.edu/honors. To locate parking on Rutherford Boulevard, visit http://tinyurl.com/MTParkingMap12-13.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)