For degrees conferred prior to May 2021: A student who fulfills the degree requirements with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 graduates summa cum laude. A student with a GPA of at least 3.50 and less than 3.75 graduates magna cum laude. A student with a GPA of at least 3.25 and less than 3.50 graduates cum laude.

For degrees conferred in May 2021 or thereafter: A student who fulfills the degree requirements and is in the top five percent of his or her class graduates summa cum laude. A student in the top fifteen percent of his or her class (but not in the top five percent) graduates magna cum laude. A student in the top twenty-five percent of his or her class (but not in the top fifteen percent) graduates cum laude.

In addition, a student deemed worthy of special recognition in the department or program of the academic major graduates “with honors” in the major. (This is generally separate from a “with distinction” evaluation on a comprehensive examination, although departments and programs establish their own criteria for graduation “with honors.”)

The College Standards Committee declares class valedictorian and salutatorian. These students must be members of the Order of the Gown and must have pursued a full college course of study (128 credit hours) at Sewanee. Exceptions may be made for students spending no more than two semesters at an officially sanctioned off-campus program.