Starting in fall 2027, The Master’s University will offer its first-ever academic honors society, named after a faculty member whose commitment to academic excellence had a profound impact on the school’s early years. The Dr. Milton Fish Academic Honors Society invites high-achieving students to, in the words of 1 Thessalonians 1:4, “excel still more” in their education and beyond.

In 1947, Dr. Milton Fish moved from New York to California to help save Los Angeles Baptist Theological Seminary, which was then on the verge of closing. Dr. Mitch Hopewell, TMU’s provost and the director of Fish Honors, emphasized the lasting influence that Fish has had on TMU.

“Dr. Fish packed up his family and took a journey of faith to come out here and really invest in the academic rigor of the institution,” Hopewell said. “He was part of a movement to bring credibility to Bible schools.”

All recipients of the President’s Academic Scholarship will automatically qualify for membership in the Dr. Milton Fish Academic Honors Society, though all students with a weighted high school GPA of 4.0 are invited to apply.

Fish Honors will offer several events and resources throughout the year exclusively for its members, including seminars, workshops, tailored faculty mentoring, curated resources, and participation in an honors leadership cabinet.

The ultimate goal of the society is for students to grow in pursuing academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and moral integrity to the glory of Christ.

“We eagerly look forward to welcoming the inaugural class of Fish Honors, going deeper in both academics and faith,” said Hopewell.

Learn more about TMU’s academic scholarships here.