Centennial Honors College
Academic Honors Convocation
Western Illinois University recognizes the outstanding academic accomplishments of baccalaureate degree candidates and awards medallions for achieving the following honors. Medallions are awarded at Academic Honors Convocation in the spring and at the commencement ceremony in the fall.
College Scholar
Each of Western Illinois University's academic colleges/areas (Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, Centennial Honors College, Education and Human Services, Fine Arts and Communication, School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, and the University Libraries/General Studies) selects a graduating senior as the college’s outstanding student according to the following criteria as outlined by Western Illinois University.
Criteria:
- Approved graduation application on file in the Registrar's Office for the current term (spring/summer or fall)
- 30 semester hours of completed coursework (HE) at WIU (not counting in-progress courses)
- 3.60 cumulative GPA for all coursework completed at WIU (HE)
- Members of the Honors College must also have completed Honors in the Major or the Pre-Law Honors Minor.
- Students who previously received the award, are not eligible to be recognized again.
- A student may not be named College Scholar in more than one college.
Departmental Scholar
A Departmental Scholar is an outstanding degree candidate in an academic major selected by faculty within the major according to the criteria below, as outlined by Western Illinois University.
Criteria:
- Approved graduation application on file in the Registrar's Office for the current term (spring/summer or fall)
- 30 hours of completed coursework (HE) at WIU (not counting in-progress courses)
- 3.30 cumulative GPA for all WIU work completed (HE)
- Academic departments may have additional requirements
- Students who previously received the award are not eligible to be recognized again.
Academic Distinction
Baccalaureate degree candidates who meet Western Illinois University's academic distinction requirements may graduate as Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude. Eligibility is determined by the Office of the Registrar. For more information, please visit https://www.wiu.edu/catalog/requirements/graduation.php#honors.
Centennial Honors Scholar
A Centennial Honors Scholar is a student graduating from the Centennial Honors College by successfully completing the requirements of one or more of the following Honors Programs:
- General Honors
- Honors in the Major
- University Honors (the requirements of both General Honors and Honors in the Major)
- Pre-Law Honors Minor
Students earn the distinction General Honors Scholar, [Major] Honors Scholar, University Honors Scholar in [Major], or Pre-Law Honors Scholar, which is posted on the student's official WIU transcript.
For questions regarding graduation, please see the Commencement FAQ page.
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