Begin at the Front Desk of the John Martinson Honors College and Residences North. Turn left to enter the Innovation Forum. If a class is in session, please do not enter.

The Innovation Forum showcases student and faculty work, originally conceived by Honors students in the 2016 Spark Lab course. As part of their curriculum, students complete a Creative or Scholarly Project, which may be shared here through performances, research presentations, or other creative displays—including the reclaimed furniture in the space. Take a moment to explore the current exhibits and the Vision Port, which highlights events, student organizations, research opportunities, and study away programs. You’ll also find a display case featuring the medallion and diploma seal awarded to Honors graduates.

Turn around and past the stairs to find the retail dining space. This isn’t an official dining hall, but you can use your meal plan or other payment to grab a quick bite here. The options rotate, giving students different food and snack choices. Notice the hearth—it represents the Honors College Torch, burning all day. Even when the eatery closes, the seating area stays open for studying or meeting with friends. If you need a full dining court, Windsor Hall is just outside these windows in the brick building. Across the street, you’ll also find an Amazon Hub, Starbucks™, and the Third Street Market. A short walk down Third Street takes you to the CoRec and its outdoor recreation facilities.

From the dining area, return to the Front Lobby and you’ll see Honors Hall ahead. Step through the glass doors into our great hall, modeled after historic university halls. Look up to see the house banners—our house system gives students a smaller community within the Honors College. The wood furniture here is all Indiana-sourced. This hall hosts major events like dances, movie nights, and trivia, with three hidden projector screens and a stage making it highly flexible. During the day, it serves as an open study space; in the evenings and on weekends, it comes alive with events and activities.

Looking out the windows of Honors Hall, you’ll see the firepit in the courtyard—a year-round gathering spot and symbol of the Honors College Torch. The courtyard offers students space to relax outdoors, with landscaping that features Indiana native plants, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.

From Honors Hall, head down the east hallway toward the Dean’s Foyer. Along the way, you’ll see displays of our four pillars, which guide the Honors College experience. You’ll also pass faculty and staff offices, as well as classrooms. As a residential academic college, students live and learn in the same space, with easy access to these resources on the first floor.

In the Dean’s Foyer, head down the wing to see the Honors Advising suite and our learning studios. Honors advisors hold office hours to help students stay on track with the 24 required honors credits, which are built into their major. Each student has both an honors advisor and a college advisor for added support. On one side are the advising offices; on the other, two of our four learning studios. These flexible classrooms host HONR courses, with movable furniture and multiple monitors for group work and discussion. Outside of class, students often use them for studying and meetings.

Our learning studios continue on the other side. These flexible classrooms host HONR courses, with movable furniture and multiple monitors for group work and discussion. Outside of class, students often use them for studying and meetings.

Head back toward the elevators and exit into the South Building. To your left is the Computer Collaboratory, a workspace with computers, group tables, and a printer. It’s designed for collaboration across majors, a core part of the Honors College. You’ll also notice WeWatt bikes, where students can pedal to power their devices while getting a bit of exercise.

Continue straight, and look left to see the community living room and kitchen. The living room hosts student meetings, study groups, and evening gatherings to watch sports or movies. There’s plenty of space to relax or work on late-night projects. Across from the living room is the community kitchen, which sometimes hosts events like 'Cooking with the Dean,' offering students a chance to enjoy food and conversation in a casual setting.

Continue past the elevators in the South Building. On your right, you’ll see two more Learning Studios and the reading room; on your left are the NISO offices. The Reading Room offers a quiet, private space for study or small group work, with a student-and-faculty-curated lending library. The walls feature images of great libraries and a portrait of Purdue’s ninth president, Steven C. Beering, with his wife Jane.

NISO, the National and International Scholarship Office, helps Purdue students and alumni apply for competitive awards like the Fulbright, Rhodes, Astronaut, and Gilman Scholarships. Check out the display of recent awardees next to the Learning Studios. NISO was recognized as a Fulbright 'Top Producer' for 2024–25.

After exploring these rooms, head straight to the STEAM Lab. This flexible space supports classes and programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Math. It can be used for wet or dry hands-on work and hosts a variety of courses and events.

At the back of the STEAM Lab is the PrintBay, featuring a 1959 Vander Cook press, a hand-built Gutenberg press, and a 1920s platen press. Students use this area to learn about the history of print and create their own projects.

Thank you for visiting John Martinson Honors College! Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions!