To qualify for Graduation with University Honors (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude), a student:
1. Must meet all requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
2. Must earn a minimum of 40 semester undergraduate credit hours from MSU.
3. Must have the appropriate minimum cumulative (including transfer credits) grade point
average to satisfy honor requirements.
a. Cum Laude: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
b. Magna Cum Laude: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
c. Summa Cum Laude: minimum cumulative GPA of 3.8.
For a student’s name to be listed in the Commencement Program, the requirements must be met the semester BEFORE graduation. While the number of credit hours earned during the graduation term does not affect the determination of graduation honors for recognition at Commencement, quality points earned during the graduation term are considered in calculating the final GPA which determines the graduation honors for the transcript and diploma. To be recognized in the Commencement Program as achieving graduation honors, students must be graduating the term in which commencement is held.
In 1995, MSU launched a new Presidential Scholarship program to support some of the University's most talented students. MSU looks for top academic performance; strong leadership skills; and commitment to community involvement. These students benefit from scholarship dollars as well as leadership development opportunities throughout their careers at MSU. Funding for Presidential Scholarships comes from businesses, estates, and individuals through Minnesota and the nation. Graduating Presidential Scholars are listed in the Commencement program.
Members of the Golden Key International Honor Society wear solid blue and gold honor cords. Membership in Golden Key is conferred upon students who exhibit exceptional scholarship and leadership potential. For further information, contact the Golden Key International Honor Society Advisor, Linda Duckett at linda.duckett@mnsu.edu.
Committed to a constant observance of the injunction expressed in its motto, "Let the love of learning rule humanity", the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher education. Being interdisciplinary, Phi Kappa Phi elects from all recognized branches of academic endeavor seeking thus to reward excellence wherever it can be identified in every institution that has a chapter of the Society. The constitution of Minnesota State University, Mankato's chapter, operating within the framework of the by-laws of the national society, specifies certain criteria and limits to be observed each year in electing new members. These conditions are summarized as follows: undergraduates in the last term of their junior year are eligible if they are among the top 7.5% of their class; graduating seniors are eligible if they are among the top ten percent of their class; graduate students who are determined to be in the top ten percent of those receiving their degrees during the year and have been recommended by their advisors and program leaders are also eligible for election to membership; and a limited number of faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves by scholarly and professional activities, as well as a limited number of alumni who have contributed to academic excellence in their careers since graduation, can be nominated for membership. If you are eligible under these criteria, you will receive a letter from us inviting you to join the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. During the graduation ceremony members of Phi Kappa Phi wear white satin ribbons decorated with an ancient Greek pattern to symbolize the classical roots of the society. For further information contact Dr. Ernest Boyd (phone: 507-389-1452, email: ernest.boyd@mnsu.edu) or Mr. Richard Wheeler (phone: 507-389-1011, email: richard.wheeler@mnsu.edu).
Alpha Mu Gamma is a national collegiate honor society for students majoring
or minoring in world languages. It was established in 1931. MSUs BETA ZETA chapter
was chartered in 1961. The purposes of the Society are to recognize achievement
in the field of world-language study; to stimulate a desire for linguistic attainment;
to encourage a continuing interest in the study of world languages, literatures,
cultures and civilizations; and to foster sympathetic understanding of other
peoples and international friendship. Students invited to join Alpha Mu Gamma
have completed upper division coursework in their language with superior grades
and hold a minimum overall GPA of 3.3. For further information contact the advisor:
Jim Grabowska
Armstrong Hall 227
507-389-2116
james.grabowska@mnsu.edu
Alpha Phi Sigma is the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Law Enforcement
and Correction (i.e., Criminal Justice) majors must exhibit exceptional scholarship
and leadership qualities, maintain an overall GPA of 3.2, a 3.2 GPA in
"criminal justice" classes, and be in the top 35% of their class in
order to be conferred as Alpha Phi Sigma members. For the graduation ceremony,
Alpha Phi Sigma members may wear one of the following: Gold and blue honor cords,
a gold sash with blue lettering, or a gold and blue medallion. Alpha Phi Sigma,
Alpha Delta Alpha Chapter's local website is: http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~apsd/.
Alpha Phi Sigma, Alpha Delta Alpha Chapter Advisor:
Dr. Tamara "Tami" Tucker Wilkins
E-mail: tamara.wilkins@mnsu.edu
Office location: Morris Hall 109
Office phone number: (507) 389-1118
Fax number: (507) 389-6377
Mailing address: 109 Morris Hall, Mankato, MN 56001
This international honor society recognizes the outstanding academic achievements
of students enrolled in collegiate business and management programs accredited
by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Membership in the Society is the highest recognition a business student anywhere
in the world can receive. Members of the Mankato Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma
wear blue and gold honor cords.
Websites: National - http://www.betagammasigma.org
Or contact the advisor at:
Dr. Ann Kuzma
MH 120
507-389-2318
ann.kuzma@mnsu.edu
Members of Delta Sigma Pi, America's Foremost Professional Business Fraternity
for Men and Women, wear the solid gold and purple cords. Membership is conferred
upon Business or Economics majors only. Delta Sigma Pi promotes professional
competency and achievement within its field as well as its social life.
Websites: Local - http://kr.mnsu.edu/~deltasig
National - http://www.dspnet.org
Or contact the advisor at:
Joseph Reising
Morris Hall 251
(507)-389-5336
Joseph.Reising@mnsu.edu
Gamma Sigma Alpha National Academic Greek Honor Society is the premier organization committed to the academic success of fraternity and sorority members and to aligning with the academic missions of the institutions that house chapters. The Society strives to uphold the high ideals of scholastic achievement, and therefore, only students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above at the start of their junior year, or in any semester during their junior or senior year are eligible. Gamma Sigma Alpha members wear red and gold honor cords. For further information, contact John Bulcock at john.bulcock@mnsu.edu.
The International Geographical Honor Society was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931. Regular members of GTU have completed a minimum of three geography courses, have a B or better grade point average in geography, rank in the upper 35% of their class and have completed at least three semester of college course work. GTU honor cords (one each of blue, gold, and brown) represent the three domains of geography: brown for the Earth, light blue for the Sea, and gold for the sunlight in the Sky. GTU activities support geography knowledge and awareness. For more information, contact the advisor, Don Friend, at donald.friend@mnsu.edu.
Lambda Alpha is the National Collegiate Honor Society for Anthropology. The purpose of this society is to encourage and stimulate scholarship and research in Anthropology by recognizing and honoring superior achievement in the discipline among students, faculty and other persons engaged in the study of Anthropology. For more information, contact the faculty advisor:
Kathryn (“Jay”) Elliott, Ph.D.
358 Trafton Science Center N
507-389-6590
kathryn.elliott@mnsu.edu
Lambda Pi Eta is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA). Founded in 1985, Lambda Pi Eta stands for Logos (logic and reasoning), Pathos (emotion) and Ethos (personal ethics and character). These are the ideals the Lambda Pi Eta upholds. Lambda Pi Eta seeks to:
Lambda Pi Eta honor graduates wear scarlet and white honor cords as symbols
of their commitment to scholarship and their demonstrated leadership in communication
studies. For more information, contact MSU's Lambda Pi Eta advisor:
Jessica Samens 389-5302
Or check out our department at http://www.mnsu.edu/cmst/
Members of the Maverick Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary wear royal blue and white honor cords. These graduates have made outstanding contributions to the residence halls at Minnesota State University, Mankato during their college careers. For information, contact the National Residence Hall Honorary Advisor, Meagan Hagerty at meagan.hagerty@mnsu.edu or 111 Carkoski Commons.
Order of Omega is a Leadership Honor Society that recognizes students that have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-Greek activities. They strive to bring together the most representative fraternity and sorority members, and to create an organization which will help mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate affairs. Order of Omega members wear ivory and gold honor cords. For more information, contact John Bulcock at john.bulcock@mnsu.edu.
The purposes of Phi Alpha, the National Social Work Honor Society, are to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. Students maintain a minimum 3.3 grade point average for membership in the Eta Alpha Chapter at MSU, M and participate in service activities during each semester of membership. Students wear gold honor chords to celebrate their academic accomplishments at graduation. For information, contact the Phi Alpha Advisor, Paul Mackie at paul.mackie@mnsu.edu.
Members of the Epsilon Lambda chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, the National co-educational Honor Fraternity, wear purple and yellow stoles. This honor fraternity is for students earning a 3.0 or higher grade point average after the completion of 12 credits. Membership in Phi Sigma Pi is conferred upon several academic majors with the mission to uphold the three values of scholarship, leadership and fellowship.
Members of Phi Upsilon Omicron, an Honor Society in Family Consumer Science, wear purple, yellow, and white honor cords. Membership in Phi Upsilon Omicron is conferred upon Family Consumer Science majors who exhibit superior scholarship and leadership potential. For information, contact the Phi Upsilon Omicron Advisor, Betty Young at betty.young@mnsu.edu..
Pi Delta Phi was founded as a departmental honor society at the University
of California, Berkeley, in 1906. The Mankato chapter, NU ALPHA, was installed
on November 9, 2001. This honor society recognizes outstanding scholarship in
the French language and its literature, increases the knowledge and appreciation
of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and
stimulates and encourages French and francophone cultural activities. Regular
members include graduate and undergraduate students who shall be nominated in
recognition of their academic achievement in at least one semester or quarter
of upper division French, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in French. Graduate students
who are candidates for an advanced degree in French are eligible for regular
membership. Dues for regular members are $35.00. Each member receives the official
key, a certificate and a card indicating life membership in the organization.
Students wear a red, white, and blue honor cord at graduation. To order a graduation
honor cord or for more information about MSU's chapter, please contact:
Dr. John Janc
218N Armstrong Hall
507-389-1817
john.janc@mnsu.edu
Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honorary society for undergraduate and graduate students in political science. Founded in 1920 at the University of Texas at Austin, Pi Sigma Alpha now has over 550 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the United States. MSU's Upsilon Alpha chapter has become a very active student organization in the Department of Political Science/Law Enforcement. Since 1999, the chapter has sponsored career days, hosted initiation banquets with keynote speakers (in 2003 and 2005), traveled to the Midwest Political Science Undergraduate Research Conference in Kansas City (2003), Omaha (2004), Morris, MN (2005) and Waverly, IA (2008), and hosted the same conference at MSU in March 2006. Pi Sigma Alpha students traveled to Washington, D.C. in October 2006, and to Chicago to attend the Midwest Political Science Association conference in April 2007 and 2008. Upsilon Alpha won nine Chapter Activity Grants from the Pi Sigma Alpha national office to support these projects and activities. Each year since 2003, some students have also attended the Minnesota Political Science Association conference held each November. Pi Sigma Alpha is a Recognized Student Organization at MSU. Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of major. For undergraduates, membership requires completion of 10 or more semester hours of coursework in political science, including at least one course at the 300 or 400 level. For graduate students, membership requires completion of 9 or more semester hours of graduate level coursework in political science. For all students, an average grade of B or higher (GPA of 3.0 or higher) in political science courses is required. A 3.0 GPA overall is not required. To join Pi Sigma Alpha, please contact Dr. Fred Slocum, Chapter Advisor (389-6935, or frederick.slocum@mnsu.edu). A one-time fee of $30 is required, and this confers membership for life. Website: http://sbs.mnsu.edu/psle/clubs/psa.html.
Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, at MSU, Mankato encourages, stimulates, and maintains excellence in scholarship as it endeavors to advance the science of Psychology. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Psychological Society (APS). Membership in Psi Chi is open to eligible graduate and undergraduate students for whom psychology is one of their major interests. Students may attend a Psi Chi/ Psychology Club meeting or email msupsichi@hotmail.com for additional information and application materials. To signify their membership in Psi Chi, graduates wear gold cords during commencement. For more information, contact Jeff Buchanan, Professor of Psychology, at jeffrey.buchanan@mnsu.edu or 507-389-5824.
Eligibility for undergraduate Psi Chi membership includes:
Eligibility for graduate Psi Chi membership includes:
Sigma Nu is an undergraduate college fraternity with a mission to develop ethical leaders inspired by the principles of Love, Honor and Truth, to foster the personal growth of each man’s mind, heart and character, and to perpetuate lifelong friendships and commitment to the Fraternity. Because of its military heritage, Sigma Nu retains many military trappings in its chapter ranks and traditions, and places much importance on the concept of personal honor. Members of Sigma Nu wear gold, Black, and White cords. For further information, contact the advisor, Dan Levin at daniel.levin@mnsu.edu.
Members of the Chi Iota chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, wear cardinal and black honor cords. Sigma Tau Delta has conferred distinction upon outstanding students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies since 1924. Contact one of the advisors, Candace Black (candace.black@mnsu.edu) and Matthew Sewell (matthew.sewell@mnsu.edu) for more information.
Members of the School of Nursing Honor Society Chapter of Sigma Thete Tau International, (STTI), wear orchid and white honor cords. The mission of STTI is to improve the health of people worldwide through the development of nursing knowledge and nurse leaders. Criteria include high grade point average and class rank, academic integrity, and professional leadership potential. Advisors for Mu Lamba Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International are Diane Witt (diane.witt@mnsu.edu) and Rebecca Rudel (rebecca.rudel@mnsu.edu).
