GENERAL INFORMATION

History

Introduced in 1948, Honors Day is the occasion when students who have achieved academic excellence are honored by administrative officials, academic deans and members of the faculty. It serves as an important prelude to Commencement. The Honors Day Convocation includes ceremonial elements such as an academic procession, orange and white honors cords worn by students, heraldic banners, inspirational messages and celebratory music.

Faculty guests join student honorees in the procession and are seated next to them at the convocation. In a special presentation, students recognized as Distinguished College Scholars are invited to the stage to receive commemorative medallions from academic deans.

Criteria for Honors

At Honors Day each spring, the university designates outstanding students as College Scholars and Distinguished College Scholars based on criteria established by the Faculty Council.

College Scholar

To be designated a College Scholar, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. The student must be registered as an undergraduate for at least 12 semester hours of coursework, unless he or she lacks fewer than 12 hours to complete degree requirements. Students who hold an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
   
2. The student must have completed at least 12 semester hours of coursework in either the spring or the fall semester of the previous calendar year.
   
3. The student must have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework at the university, excluding credit by examination, and at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, including transferred work and credit by examination.
   
4. The student must have an in-residence university grade-point average of at least 3.50.
   

Distinguished College Scholar

To be designated a Distinguished College Scholar, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. The student must be registered as an undergraduate for at least 15 semester hours of coursework, unless he or she lacks fewer than 15 hours to complete degree requirements. Students who hold an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
   
2. The student must have completed at least 15 semester hours of coursework in either the spring or the fall semester of the previous calendar year.
   
3. The student must have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework at the university, excluding credit by examination, and at least 60 semester hours of college coursework, including transferred work and credit by examination.
   
4. The student must have an in-residence university grade-point average of at least 3.80.