As an Honors student, you’ve probably heard a lot about Honors Points and Honors Distinction. But what is it? In short: Honors Distinction is a commemorative title and award given to exceptional students who make significant contributions to the Honors community by going above and beyond what is required of them in the classroom.
A student who earns Honors Distinction has displayed dedicated commitment to their Honors community by attending and participating in Honors-hosted events (that’s where points come in!), serving their fellow Honors students in a leadership capacity, and contributing to the scholastic legacy of the Honors Program through independent research.
So, how exactly do you earn Honors Distinction, and why should you work towards it?
Honors Distinction is earned through Three Milestones
In order for an Honors student to achieve Honors Distinction, that student must meet these three qualifications:
Honors Partnership
The Partnership milestone represents a student’s participation in the Honors community outside of the classroom. Students earn Partnership by attending events and participating in opportunities hosted by the Honors Program (Donuts with the Director, Student/Faculty dinners, seeing stage productions with Honors, just as a few examples).
Honors has events almost every week that can earn you points, so check your email often or follow us on Instagram @dpu_honors for updates on upcoming events.
For each event you attend, you earn 1 Honors Point. Once a student earns 10 total Honors Points, they earn Honors Partnership!
Once you earn 10 Honors Points, you and your fellow newly-minted Honors Partners will be celebrated with a pizza party and receive some sweet Honors swag!
Honors Leadership
The Leadership milestone represents a student’s contributions to the Honors community as a mentor to other students or event organizer. Students earn can earn Leadership in a variety of ways, but many opportunities require some sort of interview process or extended commitment and dedication to a project. Positions that facilitate this milestone include, but aren’t limited to: Honorable Mentions employee, Honors ambassador, Honors Office Assistant, and more.
Leadership opportunities are provided year-round, so keep an eye on your inbox or on the Honors Instagram page for Leadership opportunities, or, better yet, see an extended list of opportunities here!
Honors Scholarship
The Scholarship milestone is perhaps the most straightforward milestone – but it not to be taken lightly! Students can achieve the Honors Scholarship milestone one of two ways: by participating in the Honors Research Conference as a general poster presenter, or completing a two-quarter long Honors Senior Thesis and presenting their work at the Spring conference.
The Spring Research Conference happens annually in the latter half of spring quarter, so make sure to be proactive should you want to present your work!
What are the benefits of earning Honors Distinction?
Only a small portion of Honors students (between 5-10%) graduate each year with Distinction – thus, it is no small achievement! Aside from the immeasurable intrinsic growth that comes from engaging with and contributing to your Honors community, there are several material benefits that come with earning Honors Distinction.
Students who are awarded Honors Distinction will have this achievement individually recognized at Honors graduation and receive a special Distinction cord and medallion in addition to the standard Honors cord to wear as part of their graduation regalia. Distinction Students will then have their name permanently commemorated on a plague forever displayed with great pride in the DePaul University Honors Office. It is a great honor to achieve Distinction, and being awarded this title will make your graduation from DePaul University all the more special.
Have more questions, or want to learn everything there is to know about Honors Distinction? Please visit our dedicated page here, and of course, reach out directly if you still have any burning questions!