Graduation Honors
Summa Cum Laude
Students who have been in attendance at Valparaiso University at least two years (a minimum of sixty credit hours) and who have maintained a standing of at least 3.80 in their work at this institution are graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Magna Cum Laude
Students who have been in attendance at Valparaiso University at least two years (a minimum of sixty credit hours) and who have maintained a standing of at least 3.600 in their work at this institution are graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Cum Laude
Students who have been in attendance at Valparaiso University at least two years (a minimum of sixty credit hours) and who have maintained a standing of at least 3.400 in their work at this institution are graduated Cum Laude.
Christ College Honors
Graduates who complete the requirements of the honors college, Christ College, are designated Christ College Scholars.
Departmental Honors
Students in many departments of the College of Arts and Sciences may be awarded honors in their field of study provided they
meet the specific requirements described on page 55 and following.
Semester Honors
Undergraduate students who achieve a standing of 3.500 in any semester are awarded semester honors under the following restrictions:
- The student received no grades of I or U at the official end of the semester concerned;
- The student completed at least fourteen credit hours of work for that semester on campus or at least twelve credit hours in an international studies semester, special off-campus semester or any other approved cooperating program.
Semester Honors are also referred to as the dean’s list.
National College Honor Societies
Alpha Epsilon Delta
This national honor society recognizes students who have achieved academic distinction while pursuing a pre-medical or predental program.
Alpha Lambda Delta
This national honor society recognizes women and men who achieve high scholastic standing during their freshman year.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
This national honor society is devoted to the advancement of scholarship and to the recognition of students in continuing higher education programs.
Beta Gamma Sigma
This national honor society is restricted to students in business schools which have achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Students in the upper ten percent of the senior class and the upper seven percent of the junior class of the College of Business are eligible for membership.
Lambda Pi Eta
This national honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA) recognizes communication majors who have achieved a high level of academic excellence.
Phi Beta Kappa
This national honor society, founded in 1776, recognizes academic excellence and outstanding scholarly achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.
Sigma Theta Tau
This international honor society for nursing elects outstanding upper class students to membership on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and character.
Tau Beta Pi
Engineering students who have demonstrated high academic achievement, exemplary character, and a breadth of interest in the field of engineering are eligible for membership in this national engineering society.
Departmental Honor Societies
| Accounting-Accounting Society |
Meteorology-Chi Epsilon Pi |
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| Chemistry-Phi Lambda Upsilon |
Music-Pi Kappa Lambda |
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| Classics-Eta Sigma Phi |
Philosophy-Phi Sigma Tau |
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| Decision Science-Alpha Iota Delta |
Kinesiology-Phi Epsilon Kappa |
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| Drama-Alpha Psi Omega |
Physics-Sigma Pi Sigma |
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| Economics-Omicron Delta Epsilon |
Political Science-Pi Sigma Alpha |
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| Education-Kappa Delta Pi |
Psychology-Psi Chi |
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| English-Sigma Tau Delta |
Social Science-Pi Gamma Mu |
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| French-Pi Delta Phi |
Social Work-Phi Alpha |
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| Geography-Gamma Theta Upsilon |
Sociology-Alpha Kappa Delta |
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| German-Delta Phi Alpha |
Spanish-Sigma Delta Pi |
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| History-Phi Alpha Theta |
Theatre-Alpha Psi Omega |
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| Journalism-Society of Collegiate Journalists |
Theology-Theta Alpha Kappa |
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| Marketing-Alpha Mu Alpha |
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Awards and Prizes
James and Joanne Albers Theology Paper Prize
This prize is presented annually by the Theology Department to the graduating theology or theology and ministry major who has written the outstanding thesis (or other major course paper) in theology during the senior year. The award is made possible by the generosity of Professor of Theology emeritus James Albers and Joanne Albers, his wife.
Bauer Award
This prize is presented annually by the History Department to the history major who has written the best historical paper during the year. The award is made in the name of Dr. Walter E. Bauer, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of History.
The Bluemel Award
Awarded to a graduating senior nursing student who demonstrates determination, perseverance, a sense of humor, a desire to elevate the standards of nursing, recognition of the importance of the role of the nurse in prevention of illness, and a concern for human worth and dignity, regardless of race, creed, or culture.
Delta Sigma Pi Award
Awarded to a College of Business senior with the highest cumulative grade point average after seven semesters of study.
The Donnelley Prize
The Donnelley Prize annually rewards the best student essays on humankind’s relationship to the environment with a cash award of $750 and support for summer internships or research in environmental issues, particularly in the Chicago region. Environmental and biomedical ethicist Strachan Donnelley, Ph.D., a former Christ College faculty member and Vivian Donnelley, a Valpo alumna, endowed the prize.
Bruce and Linda Eastmond Award
These are annual awards presented to an outstanding senior student in the College of Engineering and an outstanding senior student in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Roger and Hazel Guillaumant Award
This award is presented annually by the Department of World Languages and Cultures to the French major who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and promise in French studies. It is given in honor of Professor Emerita Hazel Guillaumant and her husband, Roger.
The Patterson MacLean Friedrich Scholarship
The Friedrich Scholarship is awarded annually to the outstanding junior student majoring in French at Valparaiso University.
The Victor Hoffmann Award
Each year the Beta Nu Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, national honorary political science organization, presents an award to the outstanding political science major voted by the faculty of the Political Science and International Relations Department.
Howard K. Hughes Mathematics Prize
An annual award is presented to the Valparaiso University student who shows the greatest proficiency in the first four calculus courses. This proficiency is demonstrated through participation in the Hughes Mathematics Competition which takes place in the spring semester of each academic year.
Indiana CPA Society Award
Awarded to the outstanding senior accounting student in the College of Business.
Indian Medical Association of Northwest Indiana Scholarship in Nursing
This award is presented to a student entering the senior year who is selected by the dean of Nursing and Health Professions. The student must have resided in Northwest Indiana prior to admittance into Valparaiso University and plan on practicing in Northwest Indiana after graduation.
Alfred H. Meyer Award
The Alfred H. Meyer Award annually recognizes a geography major based on his/ her performance in a variety of categories. This award was established by alumni of Valparaiso University’s geography program and members of the faculty to honor Dr. Meyer who served the Department of Geography and Meteorology (known then as the Department of Geography and Geology) as its founder and first chair. The award includes a cash prize.
Walther M. Miller Memorial Prize
The Miller Prize is awarded annually to the senior student who has majored in German and demonstrated excellence in German studies at Valparaiso University. It is awarded in memory of Walther M. Miller, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of German Language and Literature.
Thora Moulton Prize
The Moulton Prize is awarded annually to the outstanding junior student in German studies and is awarded in honor of Professor Emerita Thora Moulton.
Nancy Wehmeier Nagel and Robert B. Nagel Prize
The Nancy Wehmeier Nagel and Robert B. Nagel Prize is awarded annually to the graduating female mathematics major with the highest grade point average.
Eugene M. Rasmusson Award
The Eugene M. Rasmusson Award annually recognizes a meteorology major based on his/ her performance in a variety of categories. The award was established to honor Dr. Rasmusson who dedicated his distinguished career to the field of meteorology and was widely recognized for his research and publications and for his superior example of scholarship and service. The award includes a cash prize.
The Ronald G. Reidenbach Prize in Music
An annual award honors a graduating student of church music who has made a significant contribution to campus life. The award is made in memory of Ronald G. Reidenbach, alumnus of the University and musician to Lutheran churches in Ohio, Illinois, and Maryland.
The Dorothy Paulsen Smith Award
Awarded to a graduating senior nursing student whose quest for excellence has reflected the spirit of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Criteria for choice include demonstrated scholarship and leadership, openness and enthusiasm, energy and creativity, empathy and compassion.
The Donna Spanopoulos Memorial Scholarship in Pediatric Nursing
This award is presented by the Spanopoulos family each spring to a student entering the senior year, in memory of the founder of Infant and Child Special Care, Valparaiso, now part of Lurie Children’s Hospital. The $1,000 award was established to encourage interest in the practice of pediatric nursing. The student must demonstrate academic and clinical excellence in the nursing care of children and an expressed interest in specializing in pediatric nursing.
Anna Zink Springsteen Prize
This prize is awarded to a senior, preferably an English major who has made a substantial contribution to campus life with special gifts in poetry composition.
Margot Ann Uehling Endowed Scholarship Prize
Awarded annually to an undergraduate student who writes the best nonfiction prose essay.
The Wall Street Journal Award
Awarded to the outstanding senior business student in the College of Business.
The Charles W. Wolf Award
The Charles W. Wolf Award is presented annually to the most outstanding pre-medical arts junior who is majoring in either chemistry or biochemistry.
Medals
Lumen Christi Medal
This medal is awarded to a lay person for distinguished service to Lutheranism. It is the highest honor Valparaiso University can bestow.
Medal of Merit
This medal is an award to recognize the outstanding service to society by the recipients through their chosen calling and by their exceptional activity in the advancement of the mission of Valparaiso University.
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