To honor and celebrate our graduating students, Eastern Kentucky University hosts two commencement ceremonies annually, one at the end of the fall semester in December, and one at the end of the spring semester in May. This site has information for students as they seek to apply to graduate, and as they prepare for the big day. This site also contains information for family and friends who wish to join their graduating student in celebration. Specific ceremony details are added as we get closer to the end of each semester.
University Honors Requirements & Details
All undergraduate students (Masters students are not awarded Latin Honors) earning Latin Honors must take at least 25% (30 GPA credit hours) of their degree applicable coursework at Eastern Kentucky University.
Baccalaureate Latin Honors Degrees:
(Honors GPA are calculated separately. See details below.)
Associate Degrees:
Determining University Honors Eligibility:
Calculation of Adjusted GPA
A separate calculation is made to determine University Latin Honors. All semester hours attempted at EKU are included in the Honors GPA calculation. Grades for every course a student has repeated or bankrupted at EKU are entered back into the GPA for Honors calculation. The GPA reflected on a student’s transcript and/or Degree Works therefore cannot be seen as an indicator as to whether a student has earned University Honors.
Official University Honors Awards
Students earning Baccalaureate Latin Honors wear a maroon and white stole at commencement. Honors recognized during the graduation ceremony do not include the final semester’s course work, and are therefore un-official. Official University Honors on the diploma and final transcript will include the final semester’s grades.
GradFest
GradFest is an event hosted each semester where graduating students can:
Caps, Gowns, and Other Regalia
Graduation caps and gowns are required for all commencement participants. This is a recognition ceremony that is optional and candidates should be appropriately attired. Undergraduate students earning University honors will be provided with an honor sash. Approved honor societies may provide optional regalia for their members to wear at commencement. It is the student’s responsibility to attend GradFest in order to acquire the required regalia. Students should contact their honors societies regarding stoles, cords or pins.
Doctoral Students Only
If you would like to purchase or rent doctoral regalia, you will need to contact the EKU Barnes and Noble Bookstore at 859-622-2696. Before you purchase or rent regalia, please confirm with the Graduate School that you are eligible to participate.
Student Pre-Commencement FAQs
Student Commencement Day FAQs
Guest Commencement Day FAQs
Quick Links