About Strayer

To be considered for Valedictorian, Outstanding Graduate, or Distinguished Degree Banner Carrier all candidates must complete the Degree Conferral Application, pay the $150 Degree Evaluation Processing Fee and register to attend a 2012 commencement ceremony before the deadlines listed below. All candidates must be present at their respective commencement ceremony.

2012 Commencement Dates and Deadlines

March 31, 2012 - Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10:00 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: February 10, 2012

May 12, 2012 - Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 10:00 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: March 16, 2012*
*The Atlanta ceremony is limited to the first 1,800 student registrations. This ceremony will be 3-4 hours.

June 23, 2012 - Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 10:00 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: April 27, 2012*
*The Washington D.C. ceremony is limited to the first 1,800 student registrations. This ceremony will be 3-4 hours.

September 29, 2012 - Amway Center, Orlando, Florida, 10:00 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: August 3, 2012

October 27, 2012 - Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, 10:00 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: August 31, 2012

December 1, 2012 - 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland, 10 a.m.

Award Submission Deadline: September 28, 2012*
*The Baltimore ceremony is limited to the first 1,100 student registrations.

Questions? Please contact commencement@strayer.edu

The Outstanding Graduate Award 

To be eligible for the Outstanding Graduate Award, graduates must meet the following qualifications: 

• Must be receiving a masters degree.
• Must have a 4.0 GPA.
• Must have completed all coursework by the application deadline.
• Must be present at the ceremony to accept the award.
  Click here for award application

Valedictorian

To be eligible for Valedictorian, students must meet the following qualifications:

• Must be receiving a bachelors degree.
• Must have a 4.0 GPA.
• Must have completed all coursework by the application deadline.
• Must be present at the ceremony to deliver a 3 to 5 minute Valedictorian speech.
  Click here for award application.

Degree Banner Carrier

Degree banner carriers lead their fellow graduates in the processional by carrying their degree banner flag. The degree banner carrier is selected by the commencement committee and is the student with the highest GPA by program who is registered to attend commencement by the Award Nomination Deadline. Degree banner carriers must be present and willing to carry the degree banner in the graduate processional.

Honors Citation at Commencement Ceremonies

Associate and Bachelor's degree students are eligible to have an honor citation announced at commencement who have completed all requirements with a GPA of 3.5 or better or who are enrolled in their final quarter and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. Honor citations are not printed in the commencement program.

Associate and Bachelor's honor citations:

• GPA of 3.5 - 3.69: Cum Laude.
• GPA of 3.7 - 3.89: Magna Cum Laude.
• GPA of 3.9 - 4.0: Summa Cum Laude.