Fall 2025 Graduation Information
Medallion Ceremony
The Williams Honors College has a long-standing tradition of gathering graduating students for a college medallion ceremony before the University convocation and graduation. We invite Fall, 2025 graduates and guests to join us on Wednesday, December 10 at 6:00 PM in the Honors Common Room for the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Please complete this form no later than Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Medallion Ceremony Information
Attire: You should be proud of your accomplishments during your time here. Please dress appropriately as a mark of respect for yourself and your fellow graduates. Business casual is the norm for this event.
Arrival Time: The ceremony will start promptly at 6:00 p.m., and check-in will start at 5:30. Your guests can go straight into the Common Room, but you should check in at the table outside the upstairs doors. Once you have been assigned your seat number, you can enter the Common Room and socialize until the program begins.
Pictures: After you receive your certificate and medallion, a professional photographer will take a picture of you with Dean Nicholson-Sweval. Information on how to get a copy of this photo will be sent after the ceremony. Family and friends are also welcome to take pictures, of course!
Ending Time: We will recognize each graduating Honors scholar. The ceremony usually lasts about 60 minutes, and there will be time to socialize afterward over punch and cookies (Zippy cookies, of course). Things usually wrap up around 7:00pm.
Parking: The most convenient parking is the deck Buchtel Ave. across from the Honors Complex. Once parked in a space, please use your phone to go to https://www.uakronpark.com/ or scan the QR code posted and follow the directions. Your student parking pass is still valid in the lot and all other designated student parking.
Misc: You will receive your Williams Honors College Medallion and WHC Certificate at the ceremony. Please wear your WHC Medallion with your commencement regalia. You are likely also eligible for the Latin honors medallion through the Registrar’s office. That will be available at the University commencement ceremony.
Please email Ms. Psihountakis (sas107@uakron.edu) any questions or concerns.
Alternative Medallion Pick up
If you are unable to attend the Fall Medallion Ceremony, you may pick up your medallion at a day/time TBD.
You are likely also eligible for the Latin honors medallion through the Registrar’s office. That will be available at the University commencement ceremony. The WHC does NOT distribute this second award.
University Commencement Information, Fall 2025
Details of UA commencement ceremonies can be found on the Registrar's page. Honors students are generally eligible for a Latin honors designation (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude) based on GPA. This medallion is not the same as the WHC medallion. You will receive information on how to obtain this Latin honors medallion from the Registrar in your email.
2025 Fall Williams Honors College Research Symposium
Every Honors student is required to present their research in a public venue. The Williams Honors College Fall Research Symposium provides graduating seniors the opportunity to share with others the results of their Honors Research Project. This year, the symposium will take place in the Honors Complex on December 5 from 11:00am-12:00pm. Please encourage your research sponsor, readers, family, and friends to attend!
Students will participate in a poster session and be present to explain their project and answer questions. This guide will help you design your poster and provide information about how to get it printed.
Please provide information about whether you will present at the WHC Symposium or if you have presented or will present your research at another event, such as the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Celebration, the College of Engineering and Polymer Science Design Day, or a similar event.
Every graduating student must reply even if you will not participate in the WHC Symposium because of an alternative presentation. Please use this form to register for the symposium or to document your participation in an alternate presentation forum.
Awards of Distinction
The College will also recognize several seniors in the graduating class as recipients of the Fall 2025 Williams Honors College Award of Distinction, to be chosen based in part on academic performance, campus involvement, and community engagement during the student’s career at The University of Akron.
Please use this form to nominate yourself or another graduating student. The nomination period will close Friday, November 14.