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 2013 commencement ceremony before the deadlines listed below. All candidates must be present at their respective commencement ceremony.
2013 Commencement Dates and Deadlines
March 16, 2013 – Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: January 25, 2013
May 18, 2013 – Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: March 22, 2013*
*The Atlanta ceremony is limited to the first 1,800 student registrations. This ceremony will be 3-4 hours.
June 29, 2013 – Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: May 3, 2013*
*The Washington, D.C. ceremony is limited to the first 1,800 student registrations. This ceremony will be 3-4 hours.
August 10, 2013 – Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: June 14, 2013
October 26, 2013 – Norfolk Scope Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: August 30, 2013
December 7, 2013 – 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland, 10:00 a.m.
Award Submission Deadline: October 4, 2013*
*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
Donald R. Stoddard Faculty Award of Excellence
Faculty members are nominated for outstanding teaching skills, superior ability to motivate students, contribution to a positive learning environment and sincere passion for their profession. To nominate a faculty member, click here for the nomination form.
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's 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 greater or who are enrolled in their final quarter and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or greater. Honor citations are not printed in the commencement program.
Associate's 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
