In addition to Fellowships and Scholarships and Research/Creative Activity Awards, graduate students may be honored through nomination to the Graduate School's Cratis D. Williams Society. Some programs offer recognition through discipline-specific honorary societies.
Please note: All graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, so there are no Latin honors (cum laude, etc.) for graduate students.
The Cratis D. Williams Society
The Cratis D. Williams Society of Outstanding Graduate Students recognizes approximately the top 2% of degree-earning graduates in a particular term. This distinction recognizes the efforts and achievements of truly outstanding graduate work. Eligible Inductees are nominated by their program based upon their academic performance, their engagement in their discipline, and their potential for leadership.
Nominations are accepted each Spring and Fall semester. Summer graduates will be considered with the Spring nominees. Nominations are limited to one per degree program.
Specifically, nominees must:
- be on track to complete a graduate degree (master's, specialist, doctoral) in the semesters designated by the award;
- have achieved and maintained oustanding academic performance throughout their program;
- demonstrably have represented the mission of the Graduate School with activities such as:
- becoming active contributors to knowledge, creativity, and innovation in their discipline with demonstrated achievements
- providing exemplary service related to their discipline at the departmental, college, university, community, or disciplinary level
have shown clear potential to be leaders in academic, workforce, or community life.
The nominating department chair, graduate program director, or program faculty mentor should provide a statement that addresses specifically how the nominee's performance in the program was outstanding, as well as evidence for the nominee's leadership potential.
Cratis D. Williams Society nominees will be reviewed by a selected panel. Honorees are notified 1-2 weeks before commencement, and are honored with a medallion worn at commencement.
Nominations will be limited to one student per program. Selection will be made without regard to or quota for program, department, or college.
Discipline-Specific Honor Societies
Discipline-specific honor societies are a great way to seek recognition in your field. Many also offer award and scholarship opportunities. Please contact your program director for more information about the options available for your field of study.
- Beta Gamma Sigma (MBA, Applied Data Analytics, Accounting)
- Gamma Theta Upsilon (International Geographic Honor Society)
- Phi Alpha (Social Work)
- Pi Delta Phi (National French Honor Society)