Recognition of Academic Achievement
The University provides a system through which students with outstanding academic records are appropriately recognized. Students are recognized according to the following categories each semester:

Dean’s Scholars —Undergraduate students enrolled full-time whose grade point average for the preceding semester ranged between 3.40 - 3.79.

President’s Scholars —Undergraduate students enrolled full-time whose grade point average for the preceding semester ranged between 3.80 - 4.00.

Students who maintain superior cumulative grade point averages are recognized at graduation according to the following designations:

With Distinction —The graduation honor given to students who have completed their associate degree with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.4 - 3.69 and a minimum of 27 semester hours earned in residence at WKU.

With High Distinction —The graduation honor given to students who have completed their associate degree with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.7 - 4.0 and a minimum of 27semester hours earned in residence at WKU.

Cum Laude —The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.40 - 3.59 and a minimum of 54 semester hours earned in residence at WKU.

Magna Cum Laude —The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.60 - 3.79 and a minimum of 54 semester hours earned in residence at WKU.

Summa Cum Laude —The graduation honor given to students who have completed their baccalaureate study with both cumulative overall and cumulative WKU grade point averages of 3.80 - 4.00 and a minimum of 54 semester hours earned in residence at WKU.

Scholar of the College —At commencement, on the basis of the total cumulative overall grade point average and a minimum of 54 semester hours earned in residence at WKU, one student from each undergraduate college is designated “Scholar of the College.”

Ogden Foundation Scholar —The Ogden Foundation Scholar Award is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement. Student(s) with the highest gpa in each college (based upon the gpa at the beginning of the term in which degree requirements will be completed) who have earned at least 54 hours in residence will be invited to apply for the award. The application will consist of an application form, an essay and two letters of recommendation. A committee comprised of a representative of each baccalaureate college and a member of the Ogden Foundation Board of Trustees will select the top three candidates to be interviewed and will select the award recipient. The recipient will receive a plaque and a monetary award.