April 03, 2014

Students to be honored for academic achievement

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will recognize undergraduate students during two separate events, Honors Day and Academic Excellence Recognition ceremonies, on Saturday, April 5. 

Chancellor Rita Cheng, Provost John Nicklow, deans and faculty, will recognize the academic accomplishments of 2,023 students during the Honors Day ceremony in the Student Center Ballrooms.  The event begins with a reception at 1 p.m. followed by a celebration where individual colleges host ceremonies beginning at 3 p.m. 

Anne Fletcher, a professor in the Department of Theater and the 2013 Teaching Excellence Award recipient, will present the Honors Day keynote address. 

“This is a special time as we recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our students,” Cheng said.  “They serve as role models and make significant contributions to the university and community in their continuing pursuit of excellence.” 

Students must have a minimum 3.5 overall grade point average and achieved benchmarks of cumulative credit hours earned.  A total of 889 seniors, 332 juniors, 351 sophomores and 451 freshmen will receive recognition. 

Ceremonies for individual colleges at 3 p.m. will be at the following locations:

  • Agricultural Sciences: Student Services Building, multi-purpose room.
  • Applied Sciences and Arts: Transportation Education Center.
  • Business: Morris Library, John C. Guyon Auditorium.
  • Education and Human Services: Shryock Auditorium.
  • Engineering: Lawson Hall, Room 151.
  • Liberal Arts: Communications Building, McLeod Theater.
  • Mass Communication and Media Arts: Communications Building, Room 1065.
  • Sciences: Student Center Auditorium.
  • University College: Faner Hall, Moore Auditorium, Room 1326. 

The Academic Excellence Recognition ceremony will honor students who will be participating in May 10 commencement exercises.  The special medallions and honor cords presented reflect significant academic achievement. Registration begins at 5 p.m. in the Student Center’s J.W. Corker Lounge, followed by dinner and the ceremony that starts at 6:30 p.m. 

Among the students who are earning recognition, 268 will receive Cum Laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.5 to 3.749; 122 will receive Magna Cum Laude distinction, signifying a cumulative GPA of 3.75 to 3.899, and 88 students will receive Summa Cum Laude distinction, carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.9 to 4.0. 

A total of 54 students in the University Honors Program who maintained an average GPA of 3.3 and 22 SIU Carbondale student-athletes who have earned Latin honors will also receive recognition.  Class rings will be presented to eight students who ordered them.