Honors & academic awards

The awards described here are presented annually at the Honors and Awards Ceremony, with the exception of the Heminway Gold Medal, the John T. Royse Award, and the Moench Commendation, which are presented at Commencement.

General qualifications

A student must be currently enrolled at Rose-Hulman and maintain full-time status in each term to receive class awards in a given year. The spring term permanent record is used as a basis for determination of class awards. Exceptions to these rules will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the Honors & Awards committee reporting to the Faculty and Professional Staff under what circumstances exceptions are recommended. Possible exceptions include but are not limited to: co-op experiences, international study, credit by examination, and early graduation. Elimination from consideration for class awards can occur by but is not limited to: social probation, academic misconduct, and part-time status. Year in residence is defined as full-time enrollment in courses which meet on-campus, in at least two terms in a given academic year (excluding courses taken on a pass/fail or audit basis).

Class awards

Recommendations for Class Awards are brought to the Institute Meeting by the Honors and Awards Committee. The recipients are chosen by vote of the Faculty and Professional Staff.

The Heminway Gold Medal, established by the late Mrs. Sarah A. Heminway, is awarded to the graduating undergraduate student with the highest grade point average. In the event of a tie duplicate awards are given.

The Carl Wischmeyer Award, a sterling silver medal, is given to the undergraduate student with the highest grade point average at the end of the third year in residence who will not graduate in that year. In case of a tie in grade point average, all those students will be recognized as Carl Wischmeyer Scholars. The medal will be given to that scholar who also has the highest number of graded hours at Rose-Hulman. If there is still a tie, multiple awards will be presented.

The Paul N. Bogart Prize, a Nordic Bronze Medal and cash award, is given to the undergraduate student with the highest grade point average at the end of the second year in residence who will not graduate in that year. In case of a tie in grade point average, all those students will be recognized as Paul N. Bogart Scholars. The prize will be given to that scholar who also has the highest number of graded hours at Rose-Hulman. If there is a tie, multiple prizes will be presented.

The Heminway Bronze Medal, a copy of the Heminway Gold Medal, is awarded to that undergraduate student with the highest grade point average at the end of the first year in residence at Rose-Hulman. In case of a tie in grade point average, all those students will be recognized as Heminway Scholars. The medal will be given to that scholar who also has the highest number of graded hours at Rose-Hulman.

Special awards

The John T. Royse Award, consisting of a bronze medal and cash honorarium, in honor of John Tuller Royse, is presented to the senior who, on the basis of academic achievement, student leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, and citizenship is considered by the Faculty and Professional Staff to be the most outstanding graduate.

The Moench Commendation may be given to a senior in the upper half of the graduating class who, in the opinion of the Faculty and Professional Staff, has demonstrated exemplary character including honesty, self-discipline, compassion, and moral conviction, for all of which the student must be respected by student peers. The student must be dedicated to serving the Rose-Hulman community and the service must be distinguished as a commendable influence on the members of that community. If, in the opinion of the Faculty and Professional Staff, there is no qualified candidate, the Moench Commendation will not be awarded.

Class honors

A student who is enrolled full-time in a given academic year and who completes that year with a grade point average of 3.300 or more shall be awarded Class Honors for that year.

Degrees with distinction

A student who has completed all the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.900 or more shall be awarded the degree summa cum laude. A graduating student with a cumulative GPA of 3.600 or more shall be awarded the degree magna cum laude. A graduating student with a cumulative GPA of 3.300 or more shall be awarded the degree cum laude.

Exceptions & Questions: Consult the Honors and Awards Committee.

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