Awards, Heritage, Customs and Traditions

Heritage, Customs, and Traditions

In recent decades, many American universities have developed honors programs or colleges. These programs are for students who demonstrate outstanding academic promise. Middle Tennessee State University became a leader in honors education by launching an honors program in 1973. This acknowledged the rich heritage of academic excellence. MTSU officially founded the Honors College in 1998. This move built on a strong foundation of early success and growth. In 2000, U.S. News & World Report favorably compared the educational experience in MTSU’s Honors College to that of prestigious institutions like Duke, Georgia Tech, and Vanderbilt. Encouraged by such comparisons, we continue to build on our distinctive strengths. We also expand our national reputation for academic quality and value.

Integrating heritage into education, the University Honors College has several unique customs and traditions including:

• Tolling of the Bells: The Thesis Defense Room is positioned directly below the bell tower on the northeast corner of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. The tolling of the bells began in 2005. It follows the successful defense of each thesis or creative project.
• Book of Town and Gown: The Book of Town and Gown is an antique, leather-bound book containing invited signatures, which are most often invited by the Dean. This typically includes MTSU’s chief officers, benefactors of the Honors College, Buchanan Fellows, noted visitors and lecturers, and government officials. Other key leaders and friends of the Honors College are included too. The book is a valuable record and tangible reminder of the spirit of the partnership. This connects the Honors College to the larger world.
• Recognition of Graduates: Honors courses are noted in students’ transcripts. Students receive a certificate of completion once they complete the lower-division requirements. Honors College graduates also receive a distinctive diploma and a beautiful bronze medallion. They wear special academic regalia at graduation. Students who earn a 3.65 GPA (or above) graduate with Distinction from the University Honors College.

Awards

Each year, the University Honors College hosts an awards ceremony and reception to recognize significant individual accomplishments. The Honors faculty selects outstanding freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior students for awards. These awards reflect our deep-rooted tradition of academic excellence. The ceremony also includes the presentation of several competitive scholarships. Special recognitions for faculty and friends of the Honors College are presented, as well.

Students receive a certificate upon completing lower-division honors requirements (18 semester hours). Honors College graduates receive a bronze medallion (replica of the Honors College seal) and a certificate of graduation. They also receive recognition as an Honors College graduate on both the diploma and college transcript, which symbolizes their educational heritage.