Recognition of Student Academic Achievement

Student achievement is recognized by the University of Mary Washington in several ways. At the end of each semester, the University publishes The President’s List and The Dean’s List of Honor Students. Outstanding student achievement is also acknowledged at Commencement with a variety of honors and awards, and other recognitions are presented at annual Convocation ceremonies. In addition, most academic departments sponsor University chapters of national honor societies which recognize student achievement in specific disciplines.  These academic discipline honor societies and their criteria for election to membership are published annually in the Student Handbook.

Dean’s List and President’s List

At the close of a semester’s grading period, each degree-seeking student who has completed at least twelve credits of course work on which grade points can be computed and attained a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.99 on that work earns a place on the Dean’s List of Honor Students for the semester.

At the close of a semester’s grading period, each degree-seeking student who has completed at least twelve credits of course work on which grade points can be computed and attained a grade-point average of 4.00 on that work earns a place on the President’s List of Honor Students for the semester.

Academic Distinction

The University recognizes the academic achievement of graduating bachelor’s degree students who have earned at least 60 resident credits through the awards of Cum Laude (3.25-3.49 cumulative grade-point average), Magna Cum Laude (3.50-3.74 grade-point average), and Summa Cum Laude (3.75-4.00 grade-point average). The University recognizes the academic achievement of all graduating bachelor’s degree students who have earned at least 30 but fewer than 60 resident credits through the awards of With Distinction (3.30-3.74 grade-point average) and With Highest Distinction (3.75-4.00 grade-point average). Students eligible for one set of awards are ineligible for the other set. These awards are based solely on the student’s grade point average at the University of Mary Washington, and the requisite hours include only those UMW credits for which grade points can be computed.

Departmental Honors

Students may earn graduation with honors in their major subjects. Each department establishes its own requirements for honors projects or theses. All departments require that a student intending to undertake an honors project have a specified minimum grade-point average in the major subject and a minimum grade-point average for all work taken at the University of Mary Washington.

University Honors

University Honors are a recognition of multifaceted high achievement throughout the undergraduate years, in all colleges of the University. Students who gain competitive admission to the University Honors Program will earn University Honors after fulfilling all of the requirements of that program: complete 12 credits of honors-designated coursework, the service learning course, the capstone preparation experience, and a capstone project; maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2; and participate in leadership activity and required co-curricular events.

Colgate W. Darden, Jr. Award

Established in 1960, this award honors Colgate W. Darden, Jr., President of the University of Virginia from 1947 to 1959. It consists of a medal designed by Gaetano Cecere, formerly of the Department of Art, and a cash award. It is presented to the senior having the highest University of Mary Washington grade-point average. To be eligible, a student must have earned at least 94 UMW credits on which grade points can be computed.

Mortar Board

Mortar Board is the national senior honorary recognizing those students who combine outstanding records of scholarship, leadership, and service. Founded as a women’s honorary in 1918, it has been open to both men and women since 1976.

Phi Beta Kappa

The oldest and most prestigious of national academic honor societies, Phi Beta Kappa recognizes the superior achievement of juniors and seniors in the pursuit of a liberal education. With only some 300 approved Phi Beta Kappa chapters nationwide, the installation of the University of Mary Washington’s Kappa of Virginia chapter in 1971 attests to the quality of the University as well as of its students, who are elected to membership by the Phi Beta Kappa faculty members and alumni who constitute the present Kappa of Virginia chapter.