How the Honors College Helped Me Discover My Purpose
Greg Barr | Honors Alumni
Published October 20, 2025
From Wyoming to the World
The University of Wyoming Honors college has helped me to see the world differently. Coming to college, I had to adjust to the independence and the self-directed learning that accompanies higher education. I also had to learn how to set my own goals for my life and pursue my own passions, regardless of how others might feel. The honors colloquium classes introduced me to many different perspectives on the world and gave me the tools to interact with the complex life I was entering into. I learned, not only how to write at a collegiate level, but also how to engage in dialogue with my peers.
This dialogue only grew the longer I participated in the Honors College. Through upper division credits, I was able to explore different religious and philosophical understandings of the world. I also had the opportunity to study theatre in England and Italy as part of a study abroad course. This helped me to see how the things we learn are similar and different across the world.
Honors has also funded me in my attendance at conferences and trips such as the UW Symphony trip to Spain, where our orchestra had the chance to play three separate performances in wonderful concert halls. This effort to support students in their efforts outside of the honors college is one of the greatest strengths of this program. Even though the Honors College was not directly involved in the Symphony’s study abroad, it still helped me to succeed there.
I also had the opportunity to receive funding to complete my capstone project in English. I was able to dedicate the time to writing this capstone project because the Honors College gave me funds dedicated solely to the needs of this project. This self-directed learning has taught me that I can truly explore my own passions, and there will be people and organizations to help me. The generosity of the Honors program allowed me to spend four years discovering more of who I am and what I hope to do in the world. I now apply to master’s programs in English and Library Science. Having been able to explore different classes like philosophy and theatre, I have learned that language is crucial to me, and I hope to be able to give back to the community as a librarian and author one day.
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