Honors Recognition
The cords, stoles, and sashes of different colors worn by some of the graduates are part of a special Commencement tradition. They represent honors distinctions and recognize academic excellence, achievements in leadership, or special recognition of veterans, international study, athletics, or participation in a University-recognized affinity group graduation celebrations. Please contact your respective program or honor society from the list below to obtain cords or stoles.
Student veterans may obtain veteran cords from the Military and Veteran Resource Center.
International students and students who have participated in the study abroad program, please contact the Padnos International Center to inquire about stoles.
GVSU athletes, please contact the Laker Academic Success Center to inquire about athlete stoles.
Students participating in any affinity group graduation celebrations, please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Honors Candidates
*Summa cum laude, Magna cum laude, or Cum laude recognition do not receive cords or stoles. This recognition will be included on the graduate's diploma.
Summa cum laude:
3.900 - 4.00 GPA
Magna cum laude:
3.750 - 3.899 GPA
Cum laude:
3.500 - 3.749 GPA
Awards of Distinction and Recognition
Biomedical Sciences Graduates of Distinction Award:
Red and white cords
Distinction in Writing:
Black, white, and light blue cords
Graduate Dean's Award:
Purple and white cords
International Students:
Sashes in the color of their national flag
McNair Scholars Program:
Black and white stoles
National Residence Hall Honorary:
Blue and white cords
Study Abroad Program Participants:
Sashes in the color of the flag of their host nation
Teacher Certifications:
Light blue cords
Veterans and Current Members of the U.S. Armed Forces:
Red, white, and blue cords
Honor Societies
Phi Kappa Phi:
The National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1987 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship in all academic disciplines. Senior undergraduate students selected for membership must be in the upper 10 percent of the class. The GVSU Chapter #217 is one of 262 at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Gold and blue cords
Frederik Meijer Honors College:
White stole and medallion
Alpha Kappa Delta:
Sociology honor society; teal cords
Alpha Phi Sigma:
Criminal justice honor society; royal blue and gold cords
Alpha Psi Omega:
Theatre honor society; sky blue, yellow, and black cords
Beta Alpha Psi:
National honor society for accounting professionals; red cords
Beta Beta Beta:
Biological sciences honor society; red and green cords
Beta Gamma Sigma:
Business honor society; blue and gold cords
Delta Phi Alpha:
German national honor society; black, red, and gold cords
Dobro Slovo:
Slavic honor society; black and gold cords
Eta Sigma Phi:
Classics honor society; purple and gold cords
Gamma Sigma Alpha:
National academic Greek honor society; cardinal and gold thread cords
Gamma Theta Upsilon:
International geographic honor society; gold, blue, and brown cords
Iota Iota Iota:
National women and gender studies honor society; purple cords
Iota Tau Alpha:
Athletic training honor society; red, yellow and royal blue cords
Lambda Alpha:
Anthropology honor society; white, black, green, and red cords
Lamba Epsilon Chi:
Paralegal honor society; purple sash
Nu Lambda Mu:
Philanthropy and nonprofit administration honors society; gold and green cords
Omicron Delta Epsilon:
International economics honor society; royal blue and gold cords
Omicron Delta Kappa:
National leadership honor society; light blue, white, and black cords
Order of Omega:
National Greek leadership honor society; gold and white cords
Phi Alpha:
Social work honor society; royal blue and gold cords
Phi Alpha Theta:
History honor society; sky blue and red cords
Phi Epsilon Kappa:
Physical education, health, and recreation honor society; black and gold cords
Phi Alpha Alpha:
Public administration honor society; light blue and gold cords
Pi Delta Phi:
French honor society; blue, white, and red cords
Pi Mu Epsilon:
Mathematics honor society; purple and gold cords
Pi Sigma Alpha:
Political science honor society; red, white, and black cords
Psi Chi:
Psychology honor society; royal blue and gold cords
Rho Lambda:
National sorority leadership recognition society; maroon and gold cords
Sigma Alpha Lambda:
National leadership and honors organization; navy, black, and gold cords
Sigma Delta Pi:
Spanish honor society; gold and red cords
Sigma Pi Sigma:
Physics honor society; green and white cords
Sigma Tau Delta:
English honor society; cardinal red and black cords
Sigma Theta Tau:
Nursing honor society; orchid cords
Tau Beta Pi:
Engineering honor society; orange and white cords
Thompson Scholars:
Black and royal blue cords
Upsilon Phi Delta:
Heath administration honor society; red and blue cords
Upsilon Pi Epsilon:
Computer science honor society; maroon and white cords