COMMENCEMENT AWARDS
To be considered for a commencement award, all candidates must be registered to participate in a 2025 in-person ceremony, meet the qualifications listed below, and submit the award application by the award submission deadline. Only one Graduate Achievement Award and one Outstanding Scholar Award are given out per in-person ceremony.
2025 AWARD SUBMISSION DEADLINES:
Baltimore Commencement
Date: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Award Submission Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025
Greenville Commencement
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Award Submission Deadline: Friday, July 11, 2025
SUBMIT AWARD APPLICATION
GRADUATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This award recognizes a bachelor's or master's graduate who has demonstrated exceptional perseverance and resilience in overcoming significant personal challenges during their educational journey.
Complete the commencement award application by the award submission deadline. As part of the online application, applicants will need to:
- Submit a personal essay by selecting two to three essay questions below detailing your resilience, leadership, and personal growth in overcoming adversity. Essays should be uploaded to the online application prior to submitting, and should be 500 to 750 words (approximately 1 to 1.5 pages single-spaced, or 2 to 3 pages double-spaced). Applicants are encouraged to conclude with a memorable and impactful personal message.
- (Optional) Upload a letter of recommendation to the online application.
Applicants choose two to three questions:
- How have your studies at Strayer University impacted your perspective on leadership, and how have you applied these lessons in your life?
- What unique challenges did you face as a student, and how did your education journey help you grow personally and professionally?
- How has your time at Strayer University influenced your values or approach to solving problems in your field of study or community?
- What legacy or positive impact do you hope to leave at Strayer University for future students?
OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AWARD
This award celebrates a bachelor's or master's graduate who exemplifies academic excellence and professional development.
- Bachelor's or master's degree conferred with final GPA of 4.0 by the award submission deadline.
- Active LinkedIn profile showcasing professional development.
- Registered to participate in a 2025 in-person commencement ceremony by the deadline date.
- Willingness to provide quote to be featured on Strayer University social media or other Strayer platforms.
Complete the commencement award application by the award submission deadline. As part of the online application, applicants will need to:
- Submit a personal essay by selecting two to three essay questions below highlighting your academic achievements, professional growth, career goals, and volunteer contributions (if applicable). Essays should be uploaded to the online application prior to submitting, and should be 500 to 750 words (approximately 1 to 1.5 pages single-spaced, or 2 to 3 pages double-spaced). Applicants are encouraged to conclude with a memorable and impactful personal message.
- Provide your active LinkedIn profile URL.
- (Optional) Upload a professional letter of recommendation to the online application.
Applicants choose two to three questions:
- Describe a specific challenge you faced during your studies and how you overcame it. How did this experience shape your academic or personal growth?
- How did you balance academic, professional, and personal responsibilities during your program, and what strategies helped you succeed?
- If you were addressing your graduating class, what key message or lesson from your academic journey would you share?
- What does being an Outstanding Scholar mean to you, and how do you see this honor shaping your future contributions to your field or community?
HONORS & HONOR SOCIETIES AT COMMENCEMENT
Honors Designations at Commencement Ceremonies
Honors designations at commencement ceremonies are based on the degree candidate's cumulative academic record as of the commencement registration deadline. Associate and bachelor's candidates whose grade point average is 3.5 or greater as of the commencement registration deadline, and master's candidates whose grade point average is 3.9 or greater as of the commencement registration deadline, will be eligible for an honors designation to be read aloud during the name reading portion of the ceremony. Final honors designation eligibility will be determined at the end of a student’s final quarter based on cumulative academic record and is printed on your diploma. Honors are as follows:
Associate and Bachelor’s honors designations:
- GPA of 3.5 - 3.69: Cum Laude
- GPA of 3.7 - 3.89: Magna Cum Laude
- GPA of 3.9 - 4.0: Summa Cum Laude
Master’s honors designations:
- GPA of 3.9 - 3.94: Graduate with distinction
- GPA of 3.95 - 4.0: Graduate with high distinction
Honor Medallions
All degree candidates who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater are eligible to receive and wear a complimentary Strayer University honor medallion at the commencement ceremony. For in-person commencement ceremonies, honor medallions are ONLY available at the commencement ceremony and can be obtained in the graduate area. Your eligibility will be noted on the name card you receive in the mail prior to the ceremony. For virtual commencement ceremonies, honor medallions will be mailed to eligible degree candidates to the home address included on their registration.
Honors Scholar
All degree candidates who are honors scholars within the honors program are eligible to receive and wear a complimentary honors scholar cord at the commencement ceremony. For in-person commencement ceremonies, honors scholar cords are ONLY available at the commencement ceremony and can be obtained in the graduate area. Your eligibility will be noted on the name card you receive in the mail prior to the ceremony. For virtual commencement ceremonies, eligible degree candidates will receive an honors scholar cord to the home address included on their registration. Your Honors Scholar citation will be announced at commencement, but will NOT be printed in the commencement program. To graduate from the honors program as an honors scholar, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Associate and Bachelor’s candidates:
- Be in good standing with the honors program;
- Complete your undergraduate program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5; and
- Complete a minimum of 8 honors courses in a bachelor's degree program or a minimum of 4 honors courses in an associate degree program.
Master’s candidates:
- Be in good standing with the honors program; and
- Complete your graduate program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75.
View more information on iCampus.
Degree Banner Carrier
Degree banner carriers lead their fellow graduates in the processional by carrying their degree banner flag. Degree banner carriers are selected and contacted via email by the commencement committee and are the students with the highest GPA by degree program - no application necessary. Degree banner carriers must be present and willing to carry the degree banner in the graduate processional.
Honor Society Membership Information
All degree candidates who are members of one or more of the following honor societies recognized by Strayer University by the registration deadlines will have their name printed in the commencement program under their respective honor society. Honor society members are encouraged to wear their respective honor society’s honor cords, medallions or stoles at commencement (purchasing information included in the links below). Honor society items are NOT sold the day of the ceremony and NOT sold by Jostens.
Alpha Chi National Honor Society
Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society
Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society
Golden Key International Honour Society
