Spring 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 Spring, 2025 graduates and guests to join us on Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 PM at the Quaker Station for the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.
Please complete this form no later than Wednesday, April 30, 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 ballroom, but you should check in at the table outside the ballroom doors. Once you are assigned your seat number, you can enter the ballroom and socialize until we begin.
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 lot on East Mill Street and South Summit Street. 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 Spring Medallion Ceremony, you may pick up your medallion Thursday afternoon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. or Friday morning 9:00 a.m. to noon. Please wear your WHC Medallion with your commencement regalia. Contact Mrs. Akua Folk (al8@uakron.edu) with questions about pick up.
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, Spring 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 Williams Honors College Research Symposium
Every Honors student is required to present their research in a public venue. The Williams Honors College Spring 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 May 2 from 10:30am-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. Further information about posters will be sent to students by email early in March.
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 (April 8), the College of Engineering and Polymer Science Design Day (April 11), or a similar event.
Every graduating student must reply even if you will not participate in the WHC Symposium because of an alternative presentation.
This guide will help you design your poster and provide information about how to get it printed.
Awards of Distinction
The 2025 University of Akron Williams Honors College Community Leadership and Service Award in Memory of John B. and Kathryn M. Hunter will be awarded this May. The Award recognizes a graduating senior in The University of Akron Williams Honors College who shows extraordinary leadership, commitment, and involvement in organizations and activities that serve and improve the lives of humankind.
The College will also recognize 10 seniors in the graduating class as recipients of the 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.
The nomination period ended Friday, March 14.
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