Honors Recognition, Regalia and Ornamentation at Commencement
Honors Group Recognition Permitted
Penn State Abington recognizes graduates with certain academic honors, the Honors Group, by listing their names in the printed program under the categories of: With Highest Distinction, With High Distinction, With Distinction, and University Scholars, which are our students receiving the Schreyer Honors College diploma. These honors alone are listed because they are university-wide and identified by the University Registrar’s Office.
Other Recognition Not Permitted
Graduates with other outstanding academic achievements (e.g. members of honor societies) will not be recognized in the commencement ceremony or printed program. These graduates are recognized in other ceremonies at other times. The commencement ceremony is reserved for the recognition of academic achievement that is not acknowledged in other ceremonies.
Regalia and Ornamentation
Definitions:
Regalia - ceremonial clothes required for participation in the academic procession and ceremony (specifically the cap, gown and degree/school hood).
Ornamentation - an embellishment (specifically a medallion, ribbons, cords, scarves, stoles, sashes, etc) that can be required or awarded as part of the ceremony.
Penn State Abington allows some students in the Honors Group (specifically the Valedictorian, Student Marshals and students graduating from the Schreyer Honors College) to wear ornamentation in the form of a medallion only. Consistent with University Policy other ornamentation (ribbons, cords, scarves, stoles, sashes, etc.) representing honorary societies or nationalities is not permitted. One exception: members of nationally recognized honorary societies are permitted to wear their society’s pin along with their academic regalia at commencement.
