Distinctions & President's Hall of Excellence

President's Hall of Academic Excellence

Opened in May 2002 the President's Hall of Academic Excellence is a permanent and public listing of those undergraduates who earned an academic distinction in their degree and diploma programs.

The Hall also includes the names of those students who where awarded Governor General's Gold and Silver Medals as well as the students who were presented with University Gold Medals.

1. Message from the President
2. University Medals
3. Distinctions

1) Message from the President

Saint Mary's University has always been extremely proud of the academic success of its students. Apart from achievement and named scholarships traditionally, the acknowledgement has occurred at Convocations when top students are presented with medals and/or are awarded their parchments with a distinction - summa cum laude; magna cum laude; cum laude and in the case of the Division of Engineering, with greatest distinction; with great distinction; and with distinction. In the case of honours, top students receive their degree with a first class distinction. However, little or no other publicity has ever been attached to these matters. A visible, permanent record was deemed necessary to preserve the accomplishments of these students' academic accomplishments. What better time to do this than 2002 - our Bicentennial year! This will remain as a permanent feature at the University in the McNally Main hallway.

As part of each Spring Convocation, the President has traditionally hosted a Reception for the graduating students. The decision has been made to preserve this tradition but expand it to include an academic component, namely, the formal recognition of all students who are to graduate with a medal and/or a distinction. At this Reception, each student will be presented with a special framed certificate delineating their achievement(s). Each year, the names of students who earn distinctions and also those who are presented with medals will be listed on two framed parchments which will be on permanent display in The President's Hall of Academic Excellence - in the main corridor of the McNally Building directly outside the President's Office. This Hall will be a permanent reminder of the academic excellence of Saint Mary's University graduates.

Sincerely
J. Colin Dodds, Ph.D.
President

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2) University Medals - (Presented at Convocation)

Governors General's Silver Medal
Awarded annually to the undergraduate student deemed to be the top candidate in the graduating class.

Gold Medal: Faculty of Arts
Awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Faculty of Arts.

Gold Medal: Faculty of Commerce
Awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Faculty of Commerce.

Gold Medal: Faculty of Science
Awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Faculty of Science.

Gold Medal: Division of Engineering
Awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Division of Engineering.

Graduate Medals

Governors General's Gold Medal
Awarded annually to the graduate student deemed to be the top candidate in the graduating class.

Gold Medal: Master of Arts (International Development Studies)
Awarded to the graduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Master of Arts (International Development Studies)

Gold Medal: Master of Business Administration
Awarded to the graduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Master Business Administration.

Gold Medal: Executive Master of Business Administration
Awarded to the graduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Executive Master Business Administration.

Gold Medal: Master of Science in Applied Psychology
Awarded to the graduate student with the highest cumulative quality point average in the Master of Science in Applied Psychology

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3) Distinctions - Academic Regulation # 29 (from 2008-09 Academic Calendar)

a.  In the undergraduate degree and diploma program, distinctions are awarded to successful candidates on the basis of the following grade point averages in respect of the courses specified in (b) below:

b. The above-noted grade point averages will be calculated on the basis of all courses taken at Saint Mary's. Students must have taken 75% (80% in Engineering) of their courses at Saint Mary's to qualify for a distinction. In the case of the honors degree, students must have taken a minimum of 75% of their courses at Saint Mary's to qualify for a distinction. This “75%” stipulation as distinct from the previous “85%” became effective 1 September 2001 and will not be applied on a retroactive basis.  In terms of specific academic programs, the details are as follows:

The only exception to this is when the student has earned the equivalent of thirty (30) credit hours at Centre international d'etudes françaises (C.I.D.E.F.) de l'Université catholique de l'ouest, Angers, France; and from exchange programs with which Saint Mary's University has entered into formal agreements.

c. No distinctions are awarded in graduate and certificate programs. 

d. In May 2002 as a Bicentennial project, the President's Hall of Academic Excellence was established.  Located directly outside the Office of the President (main wing, main floor, McNally Building) the Hall displays a listing of all the distinctions earned and medals won by graduating students as well as members of faculty.  This will be an annual listing for those students who have graduated with academic excellence.

This page last modified Wednesday, 31-Aug-2011 16:11:10 ADT