December 11, 2024
Columbia College is honored to join the inaugural Partners in Peace cohort, an initiative launched by the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center. This program recognizes NCHC member institutions for their efforts in creating, implementing, and assessing honors-level curricular and co-curricular projects that highlight the work of Alfred Nobel and Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
Since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to individuals and organizations that advance peace, as outlined in Alfred Nobel’s will. These efforts include fostering fraternity among nations, reducing standing armies, and promoting peace congresses. The Partners in Peace initiative encourages college students to explore the lives and achievements of peace laureates, fostering understanding of the leadership strategies needed to build peaceful communities. Beyond studying these figures, students are challenged to "think globally, act locally" by applying insights from laureates to positively impact their campuses and communities.
"We are beyond proud that our nationally acclaimed Honors Program—particularly a student-led project addressing health disparities in the 29203 zip code—has received this prestigious recognition," said Dr. John H. Dozier, President of Columbia College. "Our institution has long recognized the profound impact and essential value of the work our students contribute to the local community. Being acknowledged by esteemed organizations such as the Nobel Peace Center and the National Collegiate Honors Council, and being one of only 16 colleges in the nation to be recognized with this honor, underscores the significance of their efforts, and we consider this honor a remarkable milestone."
The NCHC’s International Education Committee, the originator of the Partners in Peace initiative, proudly recognizes Columbia College as part of the 2024-2025 inaugural cohort. Dr. Marlee Marsh, Director of the Dr. John Zubizarreta Honors Program and Professor of Biology at Columbia College, received symbolic recognition of the institution’s commitment to establish a curricular or co-curricular project during the 59th Annual NCHC Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, November 1. Jørgen Frydnes, chair and youngest member of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, participated in the awards ceremony.
Dr. Eddie Weller, President of the NCHC, commented:
“NCHC is deeply honored to collaborate with the Nobel Peace Center and these institutions. This monumental program enables colleges and universities to offer transformative courses and activities that impact not only student lives but also their surrounding communities. By drawing inspiration from Nobel Peace Prize laureates, these projects encourage our students to embrace peace and act as change-makers for their generation.
Can there be a higher calling than peace? I think not.”
For more information about Partners in Peace and this collaborative effort, visit the National Collegiate Honors Council website or contact Dr. Kevin W. Dean, Coordinator – Partners in Peace, at kdean@nchchonors.org.