More than 100 students from the inaugural class of the Cost Honors College received degrees as part of the 小蓝视频 Class of 2026. Formally launched in 2025, the naming of the Cost Honors College, endorsed by the University鈥檚 26-member Board of Trustees, recognizes President Tim Cost and First Lady Stephanie Cost for their transformational philanthropic support of the University, which now totals $10 million. The Cost Honors College elevates the University's existing honors program with rigorous academic programming, service-learning opportunities and a wide network of community mentorship.
The Cost Honors College focuses on three pillars: academic excellence, thriving residential life and engaged global citizenry. Those pillars were on display for all to see as graduates crossed the stage adorned with the 16 flags from around the world, a nod to JU鈥檚 global representation, and dressed in academic regalia. Ann Ubaka is an inaugural Honors College graduate and Glock-Award Scholar with numerous Latin honors and University accolades.
鈥淪ome of my favorite experiences have been the etiquette dinners hosted by First Lady Stephanie Cost. As a first-generation student, I often found myself navigating professional spaces without a roadmap and unsure of the unwritten rules that others seemed to already know,鈥� said Ubaka. 鈥淭hose dinners gave me that guidance in a way that felt surprisingly warm and intimate rather than intimidating.鈥�
Ubaka is the first JU student to receive a prestigious GEM Fellowship, which will pay for her master's degree, and has accepted a job at Mitre, a cybersecurity firm advancing national security.
Informing the Cost Honors College blueprint is more than two years of rigorous and comprehensive research. The meticulous inquiry included benchmarking more than 80 honors colleges, visiting leaders at top-ranked honors colleges, and interviewing 小蓝视频's senior leaders, faculty, staff, honors students and alumni. The recommendations and characteristics for best practice honors colleges by the National Collegiate Honors Council, the premier educational organization that supports and promotes honors education, were documented and underpin the transition plan.
鈥淲atching our inaugural class graduate was a moment we will never forget,鈥� said Dr. Lisa Sutherland, Executive Director of the Cost Honors College. 鈥淭his class did more than exceed our academic excellence and leadership standards; they helped define them for those who will follow. From scholar-athletes and first-generation graduates to students who came from across the country to be part of this community, this class reflects the very best of the Cost Honors College and the very best of Jacksonville University.鈥�
Cost Honors College students hail from 34 states, from Maine to Idaho to California and Texas, and from eight countries around the world. One in five honors students are scholar-athletes representing DI sports including baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, soccer, track & field, rowing and more.
鈥淚 would describe my time at JU as deeply self-actualizing,鈥� said Ann Ubaka. 鈥淛U helped me grow into myself and embrace something that had been in me all along. For that, I'll be forever grateful.鈥�
