2026
Summer Commencement

Cum Laude

Graduation With Honors
Honors are awarded to those students with an average of at least 3.500 to 3.699 on a 4.000 scale. Graduates who achieve Cum Laude have earned blue institutional honor cords.

Magna Cum Laude

Graduation With High Honors
High honors are awarded to those students with an average of at least 3.700 to 3.899 on a 4.000 scale. Graduates who achieve Magna Cum Laude have earned gold institutional honor cords.

Summa Cum Laude

Graduation With Highest Honors
Highest honors are awarded to those students with an average of at least 3.900 on a 4.000 scale. The asterisk (*) indicates those students who have maintained a 4.000 grade point average. Graduates who achieve Summa Cum Laude have earned blue and gold institutional honor cords.

With Distinction

Candidates for associate degrees who demonstrate high levels of scholarship through their coursework will graduate With Distinction. The designation With Distinction is awarded when students achieve a minimum 3.500 GPA for all undergraduate coursework at Kent State University. Graduates who achieve With Distinction have earned white institutional honor cords.

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Honors Education students who have completed a senior honors project or thesis in their major field and who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance have fulfilled the requirements for graduation with University, General, or Departmental Honors.

About Senior Honors Thesis/Projects

General Honors

Ellen Marie Ethridge
Architectural Studies
Thesis Title: “Ada Louise Huxtable Already Doesn't Like It: Imitation Writing As A Tool for Learning Architectural Criticism”
Advisor: Brett Tippey

Departmental Honors

Logan Raven Sanders
American Sign Language and Psychology
Thesis Title: “Intersectionality of the Black Deaf Community: Following the Story of Charles "Chuck" Williams ”
Advisors: Lawrence Nehring and Jacqueline Gee

Honors Education students who have met grade and course requirements graduate as Honors Scholars.

About Honors Scholars

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor society, was founded in 1776 by students at the College of William & Mary who recognized the importance of a liberal education as the foundation of participation in a democratic society. Phi Beta Kappa recognizes students who have achieved excellence in all aspects of their education, and who have a strong background in the liberal arts and sciences, mathematics and a foreign language. Fewer than 1% of students across the nation are elected to Phi Beta Kappa annually. The Kent State University chapter was established in 1976, and each year the Phi Beta Kappa faculty members elect juniors and seniors who have met the high standards of excellence of the society.

About Phi Beta Kappa

These students carry on the tradition of family members who are Kent State University alumni.

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