Near the end of the spring semester, shortly before the Marshall University Commencement, the Elizabeth Gibson Drinko Honors Convocation provides an inspiring, campus-wide celebration of exceptional undergraduate student achievement. Named in 1994 for an extraordinary friend of Marshall, the evening ceremony and reception has always been a means to publicly recognize graduating students that complete a distinct curriculum of honors coursework, in addition to their major programs, as members of the Honors College. It is also a way to provide all students at different points in their course of study special recognition and commendation for clearly and effectively demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, research, or service. The college contacts departmental chairs in the first half of the spring semester to solicit nominations for honors and awards that are determined by each department to be presented at the convocation.
Beginning in Spring 2020, the Honors College will archive the present year and many past year programs produced for the convocation on Marshall Digital Scholar. Copies can be viewed and downloaded there.
Read more about Elizabeth Gibson Drinko.
See the latest Honors Convocation as livestreamed (now archived) from Marshall University on Vimeo.
Honors Medallions, Cords, and Tassels
Students who are graduating as students in good standing in the Honors College are awarded an Honors Medallion at the Honors Convocation ceremony. For students graduating in the Winter Commencement, the award is made at the Winter Honors Medallion Ceremony.
Based on GPA alone, eligible undergraduate students may inquire wtih the Registrar’s Office in Old Main 106A to pick up academic honor cords and tassels. If you have questions concerning your eligibility, please contact your academic advisor and ask if you meet the academic and residency requirements.
- Summa cum laude (green and white): 3.85-4.00
- Magna cum laude (gold): 3.60-3.84
- Cum laude (red): 3.30-3.59
- Associate with High Honors (blue): 3.70-4.00
- Associate with Honors (blue): 3.30-3.69
