Dr. Susan Deubel Becker, of the Department of History, was appointed the first director of the University Honors Program in August 1985, and the program began with the 1986 entering class. She was selected from the more than two dozen professors nominated and willing to assume the responsibility. She received a one-course load reduction to serve as director and operated the program from her office for the first year, after which a small office in the Carolyn P. Brown Memorial University Center was allocated to the program, and a secretary was hired. Sixty-five applications were received for the program in its first year. Becker served as director until June 1, 1998.