Alpha Kappa Delta
The International Sociology Honor Society, AKD, is dedicated to the ideal of Anthropon Katamanthanein Diakonesein or “to investigate humanity for the purpose of service.” The Society promotes scholarly excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and such other social and intellectual activities as will lead to improvement of the human condition. To be eligible for membership, a student must have at least junior year standing, an overall GPA and a sociology GPA of at least 3.0, be in the top 35% of their class in general scholarship, and have completed at least four courses in sociology. Membership is not limited to Sociology majors.
Beta Gamma Sigma
Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest national recognition a student can receive in an undergraduate or master’s program in business or management accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. To be eligible for membership, a student must have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 (cumulative GPA of 3.75 for graduate students), rank in the upper ten percent of the second-semester junior class, upper 10 percent of the senior class, or upper 20 percent of the graduating master’s class. Members are elected to membership and publicly recognized during the spring term.
Chi Alpha Sigma
Bryant is one of only 60 institutions nationally to be recognized with a Chi Alpha Sigma chapter. Chi Alpha Sigma is the nation’s only student-athlete honor society. To be selected for induction, student-athletes must be juniors or seniors, hold at least a 3.4 overall GPA, earn a letter in their sports, and clearly exhibit strong personal character through a commitment to community service.
Kappa Mu Epsilon
Kappa Mu Epsilon is a specialized honor society in Mathematics. KME was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. Its chapters are located in colleges and universities of recognized standing which offer a strong mathematics major. The chapters’ members are selected from students of mathematics and other closely related fields who have maintained standards of scholarship, have professional merit, and have attained academic distinction. Students must have completed at least three college semesters and rank in the upper 35% of their class. In addition, they must have completed at least three courses in mathematics, including at least one semester of calculus and attained an average of B or better in all mathematics courses.
Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta is an accredited member of the Association of College Honor Societies. It is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association. To be eligible for membership, students must have completed at least 12 hours of communication courses, have a GPA of at least 3.25, and be in the upper 35 percent of the graduating class.
Mu Kappa Tau
Mu Kappa Tau (MKT) is the only marketing honor society to be recognized by the Association of Collegiate Honor Societies and is committed to the pursuit and recognition of academic excellence in marketing. MKT exists to recognize academic achievement, to encourage high ethical standards, and to advance the marketing profession. Since 1966, marketing faculty across the nation have nominated talented marketing students to join MKT. In order to qualify for membership, students must be a junior or a senior marketing major, or business concentration with a marketing minor, with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
Mu Sigma Rho
Mu Sigma Rho is the national honorary society for statistics. Its purpose is the promotion and encouragement of scholarly activity in statistics, and the recognition of outstanding achievement among students in eligible academic institutions. To be eligible for induction in Mu Sigma Rho, a student must be a junior or senior, have completed 8 semester hours of statistics courses (of which at least 5 semester hours must be at the junior level or higher), have a 3.25 grade point average in all statistics courses, and be in the top 1/3 of the class in all course work.
Omicron Delta Epsilon
Election to the Gamma Chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the National Economics Honor Society, recognizes seniors who have chosen economics for their major field of concentration, have attained a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher in a minimum of four economics courses, and have received the recommendation of the economics department.
Omicron Delta Kappa
Omicron Delta Kappa is a nationally recognized leadership and honor society. Students of junior or senior standing are recognized for excellence in academics (top 35 percent of the class), athletics, community service, mass media, or the performing arts. All members are nominated by current members of the society.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. The society seeks to bring students, teachers and writers of history together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways. Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. Eligible candidates must also be in the top 35% of their class. Membership is not limited to History majors.
Phi Sigma Iota
The Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to foreign language, literature, or culture. Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages. Students in the undergraduate program at Bryant pursuing a major, minor or concentration in one of the languages offered at Bryant (Chinese, French, Italian or Spanish) who have completed at least one course at the 300 level (305 or above), have completed 45 semester hours (second semester sophomore), have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in their language courses, and rank in the top 35% of their class will be eligible for membership.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha is the only national honor society for college students of political science in the United States. Founded in 1920, there are now more than 700 chapters at colleges across the country. To be eligible for membership, a student must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of political science courses with a minimum grade point average of 3.3 and must have an overall minimum grade point average of 3.3. Membership is not limited to Politics & Law majors.
Psi Chi
Psi Chi is the international honor society in psychology which recognizes academic excellence in psychology. To be eligible for membership, students must have an overall GPA that is in the top 35% of their class, have earned an overall grade point average of at least 3.0, and must have a cumulative average of that is at least 3.00 in their psychology courses. Membership is limited to applied psychology majors who are at least juniors and have taken a minimum of nine hours of psychology.
Phi Sigma Iota
The Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society recognizes outstanding accomplishment in the study or teaching of any of the academic fields related to foreign language, literature, or culture. Phi Sigma Iota is the highest academic honor in the field of foreign languages. Students in the undergraduate program at Bryant pursuing a major, minor or concentration in one of the languages offered at Bryant (Chinese, French, Italian or Spanish) who have completed at least one course at the 300 level (305 or above), have completed 45 semester hours (second semester sophomore), have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 overall and a minimum grade point average of 3.5 in their language courses, and rank in the top 35% of their class will be eligible for membership.
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta is the International English Honor Society. A member of the Association of College Honor Societies, it was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. Sigma Tau Delta’s central purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies. To be eligible for induction in the Alpha Tau Rho Chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, a student must have completed a minimum of two college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English. The candidate must have a minimum of a B or equivalent average in English and in general scholarship, must rank at least in the highest thirty-five percent of her/his class, and must have completed at least three semesters or five quarters of college course work.
Dean’s List
Full-time students who have a GPA of 3.4 or better for at least 12 semester hours of work will be named to the Dean’s List.
Graduation Honors (ALSO – under Awarding of degrees- Commencement Awards) Special recognition is accorded those who show distinction in academic achievement. Honors may be awarded on the basis of cumulative averages, as follows: Cum Laude (3.45-3.64), Magna Cum Laude (3.65-3.84), and Summa Cum Laude (3.85-4.00). Students must have completed 60 semester hours of work at Bryant University to be eligible for honors.
Commencement Ceremony – Awarding of DegreesCommencement ceremonies honor certified graduates and candidates for degrees who have been scheduled to complete course work by the end of the academic year (July 31). Diplomas are issued after grade reports are completed and candidates are fully certified. Graduation honors noted on the Commencement program are based on cumulative records as of the end of the fall semester; honors recorded on the diploma are based on finalized cumulative averages.
Bryant Symbols
The Harriet C. Jacobs Memorial Mace
Carried at Commencement and other University convocations, the mace is crowned in gold and bears the two dominant symbols of the institution: the seal of the State of Rhode Island and the seal of Bryant University. The mace was donated by E. Gardner Jacobs and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy J. Lederer, in memory of their mother, Harriet C. Jacobs.
The Bryant Seal
The Bryant seal represents the educational mission of the University and its worldwide implications. The central symbol is an ellipsoid globe with quills on each side to signify the traditional emblem of communication in business. In the center, behind the globe, is a torch that reflects liberty, the spirit of free inquiry, academic freedom, and learning. The Archway, forming the background for the globe, torch, and quills, is a University landmark affectionately remembered by thousands of alumni. The Latin motto expresses the purpose of the University: Cognitio – Virtus – Successus – “Knowledge – Character – Success.” The seal recognizes the achievements of the faculty in their pursuit of educational excellence.
Commencement Awards
The Achievement in Creative Expression Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who has achieved excellence in creative expression, as demonstrated in the written, performance, film, fine or applied arts.
The Anna M. & Jere St. Angelo ‘61 Accounting Award (2):These awards are presented to two graduating seniors in accounting who have demonstrated a high level of achievement, are in the top 10 percent of their class, are residents of an urban area, and will enter a career in public accounting.
Athletics Department Awards (2)
The Female Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award: This award is presented to the female senior student-athlete with the highest overall grade point average.
The Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award: This award is presented to the male senior student-athlete with the highest overall grade point average.
The Bryant University Good Citizenship Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated the qualities of sincerity and vigorous industry in the interest of good citizenship and who has, by example furthered better government both on and off campus.
The Bryant University Good Citizenship Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement and exceptional competency in all of the contemporary communication arts.
The Communication Department Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement and exceptional competency in all of the contemporary communication arts.
The Information Systems and Analytics Department Award: This award is presented annually to a graduating senior with a concentration in computer information systems who has excelled academically, enriched his or her computer information systems education through meaningful work experience, and demonstrated an unselfish attitude toward others through active involvement in organizations, clubs, or events.
The Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key: This award is presented to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative academic average toward a degree in business administration or economics.
The Environmental Science Leadership Award: This award is presented to an outstanding graduating senior in environmental science who has excelled in the classroom and laboratory, exhibited leadership in initiatives for improving sustainability at the University, and shown potential for valuable contributions to the environmental field.
The Excellence in Applied Psychology Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in the study of applied psychology.
The Excellence in Biology Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior in biology who has exhibited excellence in the classroom and research laboratory, shown care and concern about world health problems, and demonstrated a potential for outstanding contributions in the field of biological science.
The Excellence in Economics Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior with the highest grade point average in the major.
The Excellence in Marketing Award: This award is given to a student graduating with a concentration in marketing who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership in marketing, and made significant contributions to the Bryant community and marketing program.
The George J. Kelley Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who has completed at least 102 credits at Bryant and is recognized and honored for having the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the fall semester.
The George M. Parks Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior whose recognized leadership qualities have significantly enhanced the reputation of the University.
The History / Social Sciences Department Awards:
Global Studies Award, Legal Studies Award, Political Science Award Sociology Award: These awards are presented to graduating seniors for their outstanding achievement in the study of global studies, legal studies, political science, and sociology.
The Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Finance Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, service to the finance department, and enthusiasm and leadership in extracurricular activities related to finance.
The Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Financial Services Award:This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, service to the finance department, and enthusiasm and leadership in extracurricular activities related to financial services.
The Jeremiah Clark Barber Award: This award is presented to the graduating senior who has shown the most consistent academic improvement resulting in Dean’s list recognition.
The John Hancock Insurance Company Award (2): This award is presented to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated superior achievement in the study of actuarial mathematics.
The Leander Francis Emin Endowed Homestead Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who has achieved scholastic excellence in accounting. It was inaugurated by the family of Leander Francis Emin, Bryant alumnus of the class of 1907, to honor his memory and his birthplace and home – the 1708 House and the entire Emin homestead, farm, and airport – which now become the campus of his alma mater.
The Literary and Cultural Studies Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in, and a strong commitment to, the study of literature and cultural studies.
The Modern Languages Department Award: This award is presented to a graduate with exceptional competency in the study of a language other than English.
The Pell Medal for United States History Award: The medal is presented to a graduating senior who has displayed excellence in the study of United States history. The late Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell created this medal to honor the memory of his father, the late Herbert C. Pell, statesman and diplomat, who served the United States as Ambassador to Hungary and Minister to Portugal.
The President’s List Sash: This sash is worn by the graduating senior(s) who have achieved President’s list distinction (4.0 grade point average) every semester while at Bryant.
The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Achievement Award:This award is presented to a graduating senior who has excelled in military science studies and other courses, and who has shown superior leadership potential in the military science program and in extracurricular activities.
The Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who, in the opinion of the accounting faculty, has demonstrated excellence in accounting studies and intends to pursue a career in public accounting.
The Roger W. Babson Award: This award is presented to a graduating senior who is distinguished within the University community for his or her character, orderly mind, sound judgment, and systematic business habits.
The SAS Institute Award (2): This award is presented to two bachelor’s degree candidates who have demonstrated superior achievement in the study of applied mathematics and statistics and have successfully completed coursework involving the application of SAS statistical software in their data analysis.
The Student Senate Service Award (6): This award is presented to six deserving graduating seniors in recognition of their outstanding service to the student body of Bryant University. The recipients are selected by the Student Senate Service Awards Committee.
The Northeast Human Resources Association Management Department Commencement Award (3): This award is presented to three outstanding graduating seniors with a concentration in Human Resource Management (HRM). It is presented to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence in HRM, active engagement with Human Resources practitioners, and a passion for a career in the profession.