Honors and Awards

Each year the University of Scranton recognizes the outstanding work of graduate students in its various programs. 

At Graduate Commencement, the student with the highest GPA in each Graduate Program is honored with the Outstanding Student Award.

Faculty in the Graduate Programs also nominate up to 10% of the students in their program for inclusion in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.  Faculty are asked to nominate students "whose academic standing, participation in extracurricular activities, and community service are superior in nature."

Undergraduate students served by Graduate and Continuing Education Services are eligible for the same academic honors and awards as other undergraduate students, as well as some awards unique to our College.

HONOR SOCIETIES

Students served by GCES may be nominated for any of the Academic Honor Societies specific to their Major.   In addition there is a Chapter of the National Honor Society for Adult students.

Alpha Sigma Lambda

Alpha Sigma Lambda was established in 1945-46 to honor superior scholarship and leadership in adult students.  This is a prestigious organization that recognizes the achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of family, community, and work.  Members are selected only from the highest 10% of the class who have 24 graded credits and are matriculated in an undergraduate degree program.  Those selected must have a minimum GPA of 3.2.

Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities   Students served by CGCE are among those nominated for this honor.  Faculty are asked to nominate students "whose academic standing, participation in extracurricular activities, and community service are superior in nature."

GRADUATION HONORS

The Undergraduate Catalog specifies the GPA criteria needed to graduate with honors, traditionally designated by their Latin titles.  In each case a student must have taken a minumum of 63 credits at the University of Scranton, with at least 45 credits applying to the GPA.

• cum laude, "With Honors", cumulative GPA of 3.5 and above;
• magna cum laude, "With High Honors", cumulative GPA of 3.65 and above;
• summa cum laude, "With Highest Honors," cumulative GPA of 3.85 and above.

The student with the highest cumulative GPA in each of the Academic Programs unique to CGCE is also recognized with an Outstanding Student Award at the Awards Night ceremony associated with Undergraduate Commencement.

• Outstanding Student in RN-BSN Program;
• Outstanding Student in LPN-BSN Program;
• Outstanding Student in Liberal Arts;
• Outstanding Student in an Associate Degree.

ANNUAL AWARDS

Frank O'Hara Award - Named for a former administrator, this award is given each year to the students who earned the highest GPA in each school (CGCE, CAS, KSOM, PCPS) in each academic year (freshman, sophomore, junior)

Rose Kelly Award -  Established by a University of Scranton Alumnus, Joseph Wineburgh, Ph.D., to link the efforts of educators with the achievements of college students, this award is presented jointly to a student who has completed two years at the University (currently a junior) and to one of her or his high school teachers whom he or she recognizes as having had a great impact on her or his life.  The student selected by each college will have demonstrated exemplary achievement inboth academics and general campus involvement.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ADULT STUDENTS

Adult Undergraduate students are also eligible for the following scholarships, based at least in part on Academic Achievement:

Accounting Scholarship: The Northeast Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants has endowed a scholarship fund awarding one limited tuition scholarship each year to an adult undergraduate Accounting major.

The Eugene J. Donahue Scholarship: This scholarship was established in 1997 in memory of John and Ann Donahue by Eugene Donahue, a resident of Clarks Summit and a 1968 graduate of The University of Scranton. The scholarship is for students who show demonstrated need. Recipients must be undergraduates in the College of Graduate and Continuing Education, and first consideration is given to students residing in Lackawanna County.

The Rev. John J. Fitzpatrick, S.J., Scholarship: This scholarship honors the Rev. John J. Fitzpatrick, S.J., who, prior to his death in 1987, served The University of Scranton for 22 years in various roles including dean of men, Jesuit minister, student counselor and University chaplain. The scholarship helps students of academic excellence who have demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to undergraduate students from Northeastern Pennsylvania who are enrolled in the College of Graduate and Continuing Education and who previously attended Lackawanna College. The scholarship was established through the generosity of Midori Yamanouchi-Rynn, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Sociology/Criminal Justice.

The Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J., Full-Time Grant and The Rev. Dexter Hanley, S.J., Part-Time Grant: Full-time and part-time grants are awarded to adult undergraduate students who demonstrate need, academic progress, and enrollment status of at least 6 credits. Awards range from $500 to $8,500 per year.

The Robert L. McDevitt, K.S.G., Scholarship: This scholarship, established in 1977, provides assistance to qualified and deserving College of Graduate and Continuing Education undergraduate students. The scholarship was established by Robert L. McDevitt, K.S.G., a Georgetown University classmate and longtime friend of the late Rev. Dexter L. Hanley, S.J., who served as president of the University from 1970 to 1975.

Newcombe Scholarship for Mature Women: The Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation provides limited-tuition scholarships for mature women students completing their education in preparation for a second career. These scholarships are available to women who are 25 years of age or older, have completed at least 60 credits, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

New Transfer-Student Scholarship: Transfer students who have completed at least 30 credits at their previous institution and intend to pursue full-time studies at The University of Scranton are eligible to be considered for this award. This is an academic as well as need-based scholarship. The award may be renewed until graduation upon maintenance of required grade-point average.

The Oppenheim Family Scholarship: This scholarship was established by the Oppenheim family, who for many years owned and operated Oppenheim’s Department Store and its predecessor, the Scranton Dry Goods Co. Income from the scholarship is used primarily for part-time, non-traditional students who need financial assistance.

The Thomas P. White Scholarship: Mrs. Ilene White established this scholarship to honor the memory of her husband, Thomas. It is awarded to an education major who is a “non-traditional” student, such as a transfer student or an individual returning to school after an absence.

DEAN'S LIST 

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, full-time students must earn 12 or more credit hours that count toward the semester GPA (credit hours of AU, CS, CD, I, IP, NC, NG, S and W grades are not counted toward this requirement). Part-time students (students registered for fewer than 12 credits) must earn at least 6 credit hours that count toward the semester GPA to be eligible for the Dean’s List. Of the eligible students, those who earn a 3.50 or higher semester GPA and no grade of D+, D, F, CD, NC, I, NG or U are named to the Dean’s List for that semester. (Note: Honors Program IP grades do not prevent eligibility for Dean’s List.) Students placed on the Dean’s List will have this distinction indicated on their transcripts. A student’s GPA will be recalculated when the last temporary grade (I, NG) is replaced by a final grade. If this new GPA meets the above standard, the student will be placed on the Dean’s List.