Graduation with Honors
Students whose cumulative quality point average indicates high scholastic attainment will be awarded their degree as follows:
- Summa Cum Laude - Quality Point Average 3.7 or higher.
- Magna Cum Laude - Quality Point Average between 3.50 and 3.69.
- Cum Laude - Quality Point Average between 3.30 and 3.49.
Students may graduate with honors only when they have completed at least 45 hours of graded work at Fredonia. Graded work includes all courses that carry quality points and excludes courses that are graded “satisfactory-unsatisfactory” or “pass-fail.” Only those credits earned at Fredonia will be computed in the final average.
Lanford Prize
The Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation is presented at Commencement to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated balanced achievement. The recipient is selected by nomination from among those students whose accomplishments exemplify the university’s ideals. Criteria for selection include a high degree of personal honesty and integrity, substantial intellectual growth and achievement during university years, a minimum grade point average of 3.25, and exemplary service to Fredonia, including active participation in more than one area of university life. The award is named for President Emeritus Oscar Lanford.
Dean’s List
About one month after the end of each semester, the university announces the names of students who are recorded on the Dean’s List. The list includes all students who have earned a quality point average of 3.30 or higher for that semester with a course load of at least 12 credit hours. Courses with P or S grades are not included in the 12 hours.
Honors Program
Within the framework of the general education program, the Honors Program is open to well-prepared students who enjoy intellectual challenges and are excited by ideas. The core of our program consists of a series of honors seminars that change from semester to semester. Course topics have included "Cooking and Science," "Video Games: Their Evolution and Impact," "The Politics of Sport," and "Street and Graffiti Art." Students are required to take four honors courses, ideally within their first two years of study, which will replace four general education courses. Students with questions pertaining to the Honors Program are advised to contact the Director, Dr. David Kinkela, at E314 Thompson Hall, or at (716) 673-3876 or by emailing honors.program@fredonia.edu.
In addition to participating in the honors courses and working closely with faculty members distinguished both for scholarship and teaching ability, honors students plan a number of extra-curricular activities and meet regularly to discuss the program in relation to their own developing perceptions of themselves, their values, and their future lives. The one-credit first-year honors colloquium provides students with the opportunity to situate their learning in a larger context, including experiences that connect them to the campus and local community. In addition, the Honors House provides a unique living and learning experience for students in the program.
Students entering the program in the fall of 2013 must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA to remain in good standing. Students will receive a one-time, one-semester grace period to meet the GPA requirement if they fall under the minimum requirements.
Opportunities for honors students are also available at the junior and senior levels in the form of departmental honors in a number of programs, the Honors Thesis, and an upper-level colloquium designed to help students transition into their post-graduate lives.
Students who complete the program graduate with Honors in Liberal Education.
Application to the Honors Program is separate from application to the university. While most Honors Program applicants are high school seniors, qualified high school juniors who are considering early entry to the university are encouraged to inquire about the Honors Program.
Please consult the http://www.fredonia.edu/honors/ web page for more information.
Societies
Alma Mater Society. An honorary organization of students selected annually by the student body at Fredonia. The society was established in 1966 by the Student Association for the purpose of recognizing those students, faculty and staff who have exhibited outstanding qualities of character and leadership in support of the student body and the campus community as a whole during their university years.
Alpha Epsilon Rho (AERho). The National Broadcasting Society. An honors organization comprised of student and professional broadcasters whose primary goal is to bridge the gap between the academic and professional worlds of broadcasting in order to better prepare students to enter the broadcasting industry. Student national members must have a GPA of 3.0 in communication courses. Local membership requires a 2.5 GPA in communication courses.
Alpha Kappa Delta. Sociology majors and minors who maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in their major or minor and overall are eligible for induction into Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology Honorary Society.
Alpha Lambda Delta. A national honor society recognizing first year students who have maintained a 3.5 or higher GPA and are in the top 20 percent of their class during their first year of higher education. Alpha Lambda Delta was re-chartered at Fredonia in 2006.
Alpha Psi Omega. A national dramatic society for students in theatre arts at the junior or senior level who have attained an overall grade point average of 3.25 in their major and who contribute significantly to the theatre program.
Beta Beta Beta. A national honor society recognizing superior scholarship and research in the biological sciences. The Upsilon Chi chapter of Beta Beta Beta was installed at Fredonia in 1966.
Chi Alpha Epsilon. A national honor society recognizing continued academic achievement of students admitted to colleges and universities through non-traditional criteria, developmental or Higher Education Opportunity-type programs. Students must be full-time and have a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters. The Alpha Mu chapter was established at Fredonia in September 1999.
Delta Mu Delta. A national honor society in business administration.
Financial Management Association National Honor Society. Established in 1976, the membership is composed of outstanding students in the field of business finance.
Golden Key International Honour Society. A national honor society recognizing superior academic achievement and excellence among students from all academic disciplines. Open to juniors and seniors in the top 15 percent of their class. Golden Key has nearly 350 chapters at colleges and universities in six countries and the U.S.
Kappa Delta Pi. A national honor society in education. The local chapter is Zeta Upsilon. Membership is by invitation.
Omicron Delta Epsilon. A national academic honor society granting recognition in the field of economics. Tau chapter was installed at Fredonia in 1971.
Phi Alpha Theta. An international honor society in history whose membership is composed of students and professors and whose purpose is to recognize, through its membership, excellence in the study of history. Membership is open to any student who has completed 12 or more credit hours of history and who has achieved prescribed standards of academic proficiency.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Rho Chi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America was installed at Fredonia in May 1966. As a national professional music fraternity for men, Sinfonia endeavors to advance the cause of music in America and to foster the mutual welfare and brotherhood of students of music.
Pi Delta Phi. A national French honor society whose local chapter, Epsilon Rho, was installed in May 1968. The society recognizes outstanding scholarship in French and strives to stimulate cultural activities that will lead to deeper appreciation of France and its people. Members are nominated in recognition of academic achievement.
Pi Kappa Lambda. A national music honor society, first organized in 1918. The society’s primary objective is “the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship.” Initiates are elected by the society’s membership on the basis of this objective. Fredonia’s chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda is Delta Omega.
Pi Mu Epsilon. A national honorary society for the promotion of scholarly activity in mathematics among students in academic institutions. Members are elected on an honorary basis according to their proficiency in mathematics.
Pi Sigma Alpha. The political science department is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political honor society. Outstanding undergraduates majoring in Political Science are admitted to membership.
Psi Chi. A national honor society in psychology. This organization recognizes academic achievement of students with majors or minors in Psychology. The purpose is to advance the science of psychology and to encourage scholarship among members.
Sigma Alpha Iota. Incorporated as a woman’s international music fraternity whose purposes are to foster interest in music and to promote social contact among persons sharing a general interest in that art form. Delta Lambda chapter was installed at Fredonia in 1964.
Sigma Delta Pi. National Spanish honor society whose local chapter, Eta Alpha, was installed in May 1968. The society promotes the understanding and appreciation of Hispanic culture. Members are selected from advanced students who exhibit outstanding ability and interest in Spanish studies.
Sigma iota Rho. The purpose of this organization is to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of International Studies, International Affairs, and Global Studies and to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs.
Sigma Pi Sigma. A national honor society, the sole purpose of which is to recognize excellence in the study of physics coupled with high overall academic scholarship. Membership is open to qualified first-semester juniors, seniors, graduate students, and faculty. The Fredonia chapter was installed in May 1970 as a subdivision of the existing chapter of the Society of Physics Students, a national organization open to all persons with active interest in physics.
Sigma Tau Delta. The International English Honor Society. Undergraduate and graduate students in English and English Adolescence Education maintaining advanced academic standing and interest in the profession are eligible for induction to the Alpha Xi Omicron chapter. Founded in 1924, the society "confers distinction for high achievement in English language and literature; provides cultural stimulation and promotes interest in literature and the English language; fosters all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language and writing; promotes exemplary character and good fellowship among its members, exhibits high standards of academic excellence, and serves society by fostering literacy." Fredonia's charter was granted in 2006.
Sigma Xi. National organization for the promotion of scientific research. It has an active club at Fredonia with membership open to both faculty and students who have done publishable work.
Tau Sigma. Tau Sigma is a national honor society designed specifically to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfer students. A minimum 3.50 grade point average at Fredonia is required for membership.
Other Academic Honors
The State University of New York at Fredonia has many honor societies, some for students majoring in particular fields, and some for students at large (see above for a current list). In addition, students in the School of Music may qualify for a large number of awards and may be chosen to offer honors recitals. Students in chemistry may choose to conduct honors research projects. Students in art may qualify to present honors exhibitions of their work. Prizes and honors for outstanding work are also offered to students in English, history, psychology, and the natural sciences. In addition, a good number of scholarships and partial scholarships are available to high-achieving students.