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The Medallion Ceremony

FAU Wilkes Honors College Medallion Ceremony

The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College Medallion Ceremony is the academic event HC students experience before attending their official Commencement Ceremony in Boca Raton. The Medallion Ceremony is coordinated by a committee of Honors College students, staff, and faculty. Each spring, graduating seniors attend this symbolic ceremony where the senior’s thesis advisor bestows an Honors College Medallion upon the student. This event includes a student address and a presentation of academic and student awards.

The Medallion Ceremony for Spring 2012 will take place on Thursday, May 3 at 8:30 am in the Lifelong Learning Society Tamar and Milton Maltz Auditorium on the MacArthur Campus in Jupiter. The Spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 3 at 1:00 pm in the Carol and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus.

Medallion Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions

Medallion Ceremony Participation Form

Commencement Ceremony Information

Graduating seniors: please complete the Honors College online exit survey!

In addition, FAU wants to track the career plans of its graduates. Please also complete the FAU survey.

Medallion Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions

When will both ceremonies take place?

The Medallion Ceremony for Spring 2012 will take place on Thursday, May 3 at 8:30 am in the LLS Tamar and Milton Maltz Auditorium on the MacArthur Campus in Jupiter. The Spring 2012 Commencement Ceremony will be on Thursday, May 3 at 1:00 pm in the Carol and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium on the Boca Raton campus.

Who can participate?

Students who graduated in fall 2011 or who applied for spring 2012 graduation are eligible to participate in the Medallion Ceremony. Students who are within six credits of graduation (coursework, thesis, internship, etc.) and can complete these requirements by the end of summer 2012 are also eligible to participate, but they need clearance from David Flanigan (flanigan@fau.edu), Associate Director of Academic Services.

How is this different from a graduation ceremony?

The Medallion Ceremony recognizes special achievements of students at the Honors College by awarding them with a special Honors Medallion and a certificate acknowledging their thesis work. The certificate is not an official graduation document. Degrees are symbolically conferred during the Commencement Ceremony only. There is no degree-granting component in the Medallion Ceremony. It is important to understand that attending either ceremony does not guarantee that students will actually receive the degree. The official diploma is sent by mail at a later date, after all grades have been posted and academic requirements have been verified.

Why do I have to wear the university cap and gown during the Medallion Ceremony?

All faculty members are robed in their regalia during the Medallion Ceremony. Also, wearing the university cap and gown ensures that all students are observing the pomp and circumstance normally associated with graduation events. Borrowing a gown from another student is acceptable only if the style is identical to the one worn at FAU in the current year. Check with the University Bookstore regarding this year’s gown cost and appearance.

Why should I participate in the official graduation ceremony?

While the Medallion Ceremony is a more intimate gathering with all your friends, classmates, faculty, and family members, the Commencement Ceremony is an opportunity for the Honors College students to be recognized in front of the entire FAU community, a chance to shine by being acknowledged for special achievements and outstanding academic success. By participating in the Commencement Ceremony, students contribute to the increased visibility and positive image of the Honors College among the other academic colleges at FAU. Additionally, only students who participate will receive a stole, which you can then wear to the Medallion Ceremony in the afternoon. Bus transportation will be provided for students and their guests from Jupiter to Boca Raton.

How can I fill out the Round-up Form if I do not yet know all the information that is requested?

It is important to fill out the form to the best of your ability by the deadlines as this helps the HC staff to prepare for the Medallion Ceremony in a timely manner. Only students who submit their Round-up Form prior to the Senior Round-up Meeting (Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 9 pm, in the Dining Hall), will be able to receive their Medallion Ceremony tickets during the meeting. Monday, April 23, 2012 is the last day to submit Round-up Forms.

Why can I only get five tickets for the Medallion Ceremony?
Why do I need tickets anyway? How can I get more?

Around 60 students are expected to participate in the Medallion Ceremony this year. The auditorium has to accommodate the students, faculty, staff and outside VIPs such as donors and benefactors, as well as family and friends of the graduating class. Tickets ensure that all students get a fair share of seats in the auditorium for their family and friends. If you need more than five tickets, talk to other graduating students as many of them may not need all of their tickets.

What are the important dates and times I need to know?

Monday, March 12, 2012
Last day to reply to the Office of the Registrar confirmation email that you intend to participate in the Commencement Ceremony in Boca Raton.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
9:00 pm - Dining Hall Senior Round-up Meeting - Please attend as photos for the program will be taken at this time. Only students who submit their Round-up Form prior to the meeting will be able to receive their Medallion Ceremony tickets during the meeting.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Final deadline for Online Round-up Forms for inclusion in the Medallion Ceremony program.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Final signed theses are due to David Flanigan in HC 132. Please submit the theses, binding receipt, and thesis release form in a covered box labeled with the student's name. University policy stipulates that only one thesis will be bound by the university so you only need to pay for one. You must arrange to have any additional binding done on your own. See Honors Theses for forms and information.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 (The Big Day!)
7:45 am - LLS PC 158Graduates and Faculty prepare for the processional
8:30 am - LLS Maltz AuditoriumMedallion Ceremony Begins
11:00 amBuses depart for Commencement Ceremony on Boca Raton campus
1:00 pm - Carol and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium, Boca Raton Campus Commencement Ceremony begins - Buses will depart for MacArthur campus in Jupiter 15 minutes after the ceremony. Other important deadlines and more information can be found at the Office of the Registrar.

Medallion Ceremony, Thursday, May 3, 2012, 8:30 am

Please complete this form carefully, as this information will be used to engrave your medallion and print your certificate.

Online Medallion Round-up Form

Name:
FAU E-Mail:
Concentration(s):
Thesis 1 Title:
Thesis 1 Advisor(s):
Brief Synopsis of Thesis 1 (max 100 words):
Thesis 2 Title (if applicable):
Thesis 2 Advisor(s) (if applicable):
Brief Synopsis of Thesis 2 (max 100 words):
Favorite Honors College Memory -
Family Safe Please! (max 30 words):
How many tickets do you need
for the Medallion Ceremony (max 5):
How many seats do you need
to reserve for the bus ride to Boca?

Post-Graduation Contact Information

E-Mail Address:
Forwarding Address after you graduate:

Post-Graduation Plans

Have you applied to a graduate or professional school?
Name of university or program:
Type of program (Masters, Ph.D, Professional Degree):

Employment Information

Have you already secured your post-graduation employment?
Employer Name:
Industry:
Location:
Other Plans for after Graduation (max 30 words):
Comments/Questions:

Information about the Commencement Ceremony in Boca Raton.

After you click Submit, a submission confirmation page will display and you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive the email, please resubmit and email honorscollege@fau.edu to notify us that you had a problem with your submission.