PLNU Honors Program

Congratulations to Honors Program graduate, Riley Putnam! Riley is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, minor in Humanities. She is off to Rocky Vista Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine!

🎤What is a piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?
Fail as often as possible. Put yourself in situations where you think you’re incapable, in places that challenge you- because that’s where the growth is. And there’s an incredible community who will step alongside you when you fall down and lift you back up so you can try again. Don’t be afraid of failure! Embrace it.

🧠What is something you learned from the Honors Program?
I learned I have a deep desire to learn! I learned so much about myself and the Lord through our Bible and theology classes. I also learned a lot about humanities as a whole- where human nature flourishes, where it falters, where we as scholars and followers of Jesus need to step in. It’s been awesome, and I’ve continued taking what I learned in the program with me through the rest of my college journey.

🏄‍♀️What is a favorite memory you have from your time in the Honors Program?
Going surfing with Dr. Cater because it’s something I’d never really done before and I found it really cool that one of my professors took the time to share with us something he loves doing. I was terrible, but it taught me the importance of doing things just for the enjoyment of doing them, not because I immediately succeed.

We had a great Fall semester with our Honors Cohort! We look forward to seeing you all soon for the Spring semester!

The Honors students attended Arms & the Man at the Lamb’s Players Theatre this month! And ended the night with some delicious ice cream 🍦

Mark your calendars! Friday, January 30th is our Jazz in January event - “Majesty of the Blues”

This event will feature live music from the John Reynolds Jazz Quintet that highlights the sacred in blues. And includes a cultural presentation from our very own, Dr. Karl Martin!

Get tickets at https://plnu.universitytickets.com/

Honors Students got to sail aboard The Californian this month and enjoy God’s beautiful creation out at sea ⛵️

We had so much fun at our Honors Program events this month! Students got to enjoy delicious tacos at Dr. Cater’s house, and see Les Misérables at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

Aubry Wilhelm will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Commercial Music (Composition for Film and Media) major!

🪈Favorite Pastime: I like to read, write, play piano and flute, write music, and watch movies.
🎥Favorite Movie: My favorite film is "Casablanca" because I really enjoy the performances given by the actors and the scriptwriting, and I really love the music in it.
🎤Best Piece of Advice: My favorite film is "Casablanca" because I really enjoy the performances given by the actors and the scriptwriting, and I really love the music in it.
🌟Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: I am really excited to grow academically and to grow in my fields of study. I'm also really excited to meet new people and to be in a new place.

Dylan Laughery will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Theology, Justice and Peace major!

✍️Favorite Pastime: I enjoy writing poetry, taking walks while listening to music, and attending Bible study with my favorite people!
🍿Favorite Movie: My favorite movie is "Benny & Joon". I love those sweet, heartwarming romances with unconventional characters.
🎤Best Piece of Advice: My Dad has always emphasized the value of being myself---the "Dylaniest-Dyl," as he calls it---no matter the situation or setting. Over time, I've come to embrace and appreciate the person God created me to be. Earlier in life, out of insecurity and fear of rejection, I believed I needed to shrink my personality, and squish it into a box it never fit in; now the parts of me I wanted to hide are the things I love the most about myself.
⭐Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: I have a huge heart for learning, and I am so excited for the knowledge and wisdom I'll acquire while attending PLNU! My dream is to gain an education I can later use to serve others. Even though the thought of immersing myself in a new environment is somewhat nerve-wracking, I can't wait for the new friendships God has in store for me!

Campbell Faith Isakson will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Psychology major!

📖Favorite Pastime: I like to read, hang out with friends, listen to music, and go shopping!
🎵Favorite Song: My favorite song is "Love Life" by Stephen Sanchez, because I think the message is beautiful and the way he sings is amazing. I also love the movie "Dead Poet’s Society" because of the visuals and the message which is beautiful!
🎤Best Piece of Advice: The best advice I’ve ever received was to live and let live. I think it’s a great piece of advice because it shows how you should live your life how you want and not to judge others for doing the same.
🌟Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: The best advice I’ve ever received was to live and let live. I think it’s a great piece of advice because it shows how you should live your life how you want and not to judge others for doing the same.

Grace Park will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Biology (BS) major!

🎧Favorite Pastime: I love running and longboarding and am always playing or listening to music! I love going out to eat as much as cooking and I love to read. I sporadically get into crafts too.
🎶Favorite Song: My favorite song is “Lost in the Light” by the Bahamas because musically, it is gorgeous with beautiful accompaniment. But in the lyrics, it describes how people see you but also see the people around you in you. I love that idea that we’re a stain glass window of all the people we’ve met.
🎤Best Piece of Advice: My mothers advice: never shop retail.
🌟Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: I hope that college is a great experience where I can meet tons of new people and try new things. I just want to try it all and experience it all. So I suppose I’m afraid of missing out on an experience that I should’ve experienced.

Carter James Kerstetter will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Biology-Chemistry (BS) major!

🏖️Favorite Pastime: I enjoy listening to music, hanging out in nature (especially the beach), reading comics, collecting sports cards or pokemon cards, and hanging out with friends!
🎥Favorite Movie: My favorite movie is "Revenge of the Sith" produced by Lucasfilms. I really like this movie for multiple reasons. There is a nostalgic aspect of it, but also I just think that the cinematography and visual aspect is amazing and very appealing to me. I really like the story too, and it is my go to watch movie.
🎤Best Piece of Advice: The best piece of advice I’ve ever received came from my dad, who told me, “Regret is insight that came too late.” We were discussing my decision to pursue a challenging major, biochemistry, before applying to medical school. He shared his own experience of choosing an easier academic path and later regretting it when he found himself unprepared for the rigor of medical school. That regret became a powerful lesson for him, and he passed it on to me as motivation. His advice taught me that it’s better to face difficulty now and grow from it than to look back wishing I had pushed myself harder. It reminded me that true insight often comes only after missed opportunities. That conversation ultimately shaped the way I approach challenges: not as obstacles, but as investments in my future self.
⭐Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: I am very excited to enter a stage where I will begin to grow into myself. I am scared about the coursework, and making friends. One day I dream that I will become a huge part of the community at make a lot of friends along the way.

Kirra Burt will be joining the 2025 PLNU Honors Cohort as a Biology (BA) major!

🪴Favorite Pastime: I like volleyball, snowboarding, thrifting, ceramics, theater and just trying new things. I enjoy taking care of my plants when I’m home and I also like going to concerts.
🖼️Favorite Song/Movie/Art: I’ve always loved "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root and "I Thank God" by Maverick City Music. My favorite movie is "How to Train your Dragon" and I love any art by Maria Diletta Rondoni.
🎤Best Piece of Advice: Some of the best advice I’ve received is to let my actions speak louder than my words.
⭐Future Hopes/Dreams/Fears: I hope to mature in a way that will prepare me for the rest of my life. I would love to study abroad in college and just learn new skills with new friends. My fear is being homesick or just feeling lost in the crowd at college.