Honors and Awards
Graceland provides a number of vehicles for promoting academic excellence on campus. Students who excel academically may choose to pursue an honors degree that culminates in the preparation of an original thesis or project during the senior year. (See Honors Program for specific requirements.) Alpha Chi, a national honor society that recognizes and promotes outstanding academic achievement in all areas of study, is open to juniors and seniors who meet eligibility criteria of the national society and its local chapter. Phi Alpha Theta and Alpha Mu Gamma recognize outstanding achievement in history and the modern foreign languages, respectively. The Pi Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing inducts student nurses in recognition of their outstanding scholastic achievement and registered nurses for their contributions to nursing.
Each year during commencement exercises, special honors are conferred upon graduates who have maintained distinguished academic records throughout their years at Graceland. In order to qualify for the following honors, the graduate must have at least 75 semester hours on a graded basis, excluding “P”s, recorded on his/her Graceland University permanent record and will be completing all requirements for graduation with their current enrollment.
- Cum Laude signifies special honor and requires a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.74.
- Magna Cum Laude signifies achievement worthy of great honor and requires a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.89.
- Summa Cum Laude signifies achievement of the highest order and requires a cumulative GPA of 3.90-4.00.
Grade point averages as of May 1 are used to calculate graduation honors. Changes in honor designations may occur following submission of final grades, and will be reflected on the graduate's diploma and official academic record.
The graduating senior(s) with the highest grade point average in his/her class is awarded the gold seal of the university in recognition of the special value Graceland University places on academic achievement. Grade point averages used to determine the recipient(s) of the Gold Seal for Scholarship will be verified prior to the graduation ceremony.
Each semester, outstanding students who achieve the grade point averages indicated below are recognized by being officially placed on one of three lists of distinction:
- Dean’s List, 3.25-3.64 GPA
- Honors List, 3.65-3.99 GPA
- President’s List, 4.00 GPA
Students enrolled for 12 or more semester hours may qualify for the Dean’s, Honors, or President’s List by passing a minimum of 12 semester hours, of which 9 are on a graded basis. (A student enrolled in student teaching is exempt from this latter requirement.) Students enrolled for less than 12 semester hours may also qualify by completing at least six semester hours on a graded basis. Students who have an incomplete grade do not qualify for the Dean’s, Honors, or President’s Lists.
