Allen University Opens New Honors Program Center

Allen University has opened its doors to the new Mother Mary Ann Norris Honors Program Center.

Angel Risher is the current Miss Allen University. She and the other honors students in her class will be the first to graduate in the honors program and to stay in the building. "It's so beautiful," she says. "We're so appreciative of everyone who helped and gave us this so it's a blessing."

Risher says having this newly renovated house gives the honors students a place on campus to call home. She tells News 19, "They say we can use the stove and everything, so not really cookin,' cookin, but like everybody working together making little dishes baking cookies just a learning experience while we are having fun."

Dr. Rachelle Washington is the new director of the program that will take place at this house.

Michelle Young, who started the honors program at the university, says center was a project taken on by Allen University alumni. She says, "The flooring was redone; painting, This was done by graduates of Allen, so they are giving back to the university and we had a former graduate come in and do the interior design."

That designer was local award-winning artist Almateen Benton, who also created and donated all the paintings in the house. The house itself is designed to pull together the past, present, and future, to move all Allen University students forward. "I also think it will be a great for the other students to see the benefits that come with being members of the honors house," Washington says.

The program plans fundraisers to give back to the community and to help maintain the house. They are in the process of organizing an open house for the community.