Awards and Honors

General Honors

St. Bonaventure University grants three grades of distinction to graduates whose cumulative index of academic scholarship indicates leadership and high scholastic attainment.

  • Summa Cum Laude – when the index is 3.90 or above
  • Magna Cum Laude – when the index is 3.60 to 3.89
  • Cum Laude – when the index is 3.25 to 3.59

Dean's List

All full-time undergraduate students who have an academic index of 3.50 or better in the previous semester may be included in the Dean’s List. The name of any student may be withdrawn at any time by the Vice President for Academic Affairs if the student fails to maintain a satisfactory standard of scholarship and conduct.

Honor Societies

To be eligible for membership in an honor society a student must have been in residence for at least two years (four semesters), or have earned at least 60 credit hours, and must be of good character and show promise of leadership.

  • Alpha Delta Sigma is the honor society of the American Advertising Federation.
  • Alpha Mu Alpha is the marketing honor society.
  • Alpha Psi Omega is the National Theater Honor Society.
  • Beta Gamma Sigma is the national honor society for business students in AACSB-accredited schools.
  • Chi Alpha Epsilon, Zeta Epsilon Chapter - Chi Alpha Epsilon was formed to recognize the academic achievements of students admitted to colleges and     the universities through non-traditional criteria such as Educational Opportunity Programs.
  • Delta Epsilon Sigma is the national scholastic honor society for students in Catholic colleges and universities.
  • Kappa Delta Pi in an international honor society for students in education. The University’s Xi Nu Chapter is open to juniors and seniors whose overall GPA is 3.25 or better.
  • Kappa Tau Alpha is the national honor journalism/mass communication society with members limited to those students in the top 10 percent of their class based on their overall indices.
  • Phi Alpha Theta is an international honor society for students in history.   
  • Phi Eta Sigma is the national honor society for college freshmen who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher at the close of a full-time curricular period during their first year.
  • Pi Delta Phi-Eta Theta Chapter is the national honor society for students of French.
  • Pi Gamma Mu is the international honor society in social science. History and sociology majors are also eligible to join.
    • Membership includes:
      • lifetime membership
      • a certificate and a gold-plated key pin
      • a subscription to the Pi Gamma Mu Newsletter and to the International
      • Social Science Review
      • eligibility for a graduate school scholarship
      • advancement in government service rating
      • invitation to regional meetings and conventions
      • academic recognition and enrichment
  • Pi Mu Epsilon-New York Omega Chapter is the national honorary mathematics fraternity.
  • Pi Sigma Alpha is the national honor society in political science.
  • Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology.
  • Sigma Delta Pi is a national honor society for students in Spanish.
  • Sigma Pi Sigma is the national honor society in physics.
  • Sigma Tau Delta is the national honor society in English.

Societies

These organizations provide the student with an opportunity to meet fellow students in mutual bonds of friendship and achievement.  These are:

  • Alpha Kappa Mu - for students pursuing the bachelor of science degree in the School of Arts and Sciences.
  • American Advertising Federation - St. Bonaventure Chapter, Student Affiliate.
  • American Chemical Society - St. Bonaventure Chapter, Student Affiliate.
  • Gold Bar Club is a professional society for ROTC students, but is open to the entire student population.
  • Iota Delta Alpha - for students pursuing the bachelor of science degree in the School of Arts and Sciences.
  • Society of Professional Journalists is the national professional journalism and mass communication society, open to undergraduates with above-average  academic standing who have participated in professional or collegiate media, or both.
  • Student Section - St. Bonaventure Chapter of the Society of Physics Students.

Awards

St. Bonaventure University each year grants the following honors and awards for outstanding scholarship and achievement:

  • Ideal Bonaventure Student. Annually two graduating students are selected by the Student Affairs Awards Committee who most exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through their demonstrated commitment to community service and academic excellence throughout their undergraduate time at Bonas.  This highest honor and treasured tradition celebrates the wonderful character of the St. Bonaventure graduate. 
  • General Excellence in the Arts Curriculum. This is an honor awarded to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in an arts program during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence in the Science Curriculum. This is awarded to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in a science program during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence in the Business Curriculum. This is awarded to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in a business program during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence in the Education Curriculum. This award is presented to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in elementary education or physical education during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence in the Journalism/Mass Communication Curriculum. This award is presented to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in journalism/mass communication during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence in the Health Professions Curriculum This is awarded to the senior who maintained the highest academic standing in a health professions program during four years at the University.
  • General Excellence for a Transfer Student. This award is presented to the senior transfer student who maintained the highest academic standing during their time at the University.
  • John J. McNamee Award for General Excellence in the Elementary Education Curriculum. This is an honor awarded to the senior judged by the faculty of the School of Education to be outstanding in scholarship and achievement in elementary education.
  • John J. McNamee Award for General Excellence in the Physical Education Curriculum. This is an honor awarded to the senior judged by the faculty of the School of Education to be outstanding in scholarship and achievement in physical education.
  • Overall Excellence in Sports Studies Award.  This is an honor awarded to the senior judged by the faculty of the Department of Physical Education to be outstanding in service and academic achievement in Sports Studies.
  • Al Nothem Student Teaching Award in Elementary Education  is awarded annually to an exceptional graduating senior in Elementary Education.
  • Al Nothem Student Teaching Award in Physical Education is awarded annually to an exceptional graduating senior in Physical Education.
  • Al Nothem Student Teaching Award in Adolescence Education is awarded annually to an exceptional graduating senior in Adolescence Education.
  • Sister Margaret Flynn, O.S.F., Award is given to the outstanding transfer elementary education student.
  • Excellence in Health Science   The recipient of this honor has been chosen by the Faculty of the School of Health Professions based upon their excellent academic achievement.
  • Excellence in Public Health  The recipient of this honor has been chosen by the Faculty of the School of Health Professions based upon their excellent academic achievement.
  • Senior Theology Award. This is given to the senior who has shown general excellence in theology courses for four years.
  • Boyd Litzinger Award is awarded to the senior who, in the judgment of the Department of English, has done outstanding work in English for four years.
  • Sister Mary Anthony Brown Philosophy Award is presented to the senior who has demonstrated general excellence in philosophy courses.
  • S.C. Cornelio Award is presented to an outstanding senior who will be attending law school.
  • John M. Orland Philosophy Pre-Law Award is to be awarded each year to the graduating senior whose record best demonstrates academic excellence in philosophy of law combined with meritorious service to the Bonaventure community.
  • Latin Award is awarded to the sophomore who has done outstanding work in Latin courses for two years.
  • Malcolm V.T. Wallace Award for Latin is presented to an outstanding undergraduate in Latin.
  • Greek Award is given to the sophomore who, upon recommendation of the Classical Language Department, has accomplished general excellence in Greek.
  • Father Roderick Wheeler Award is presented to the outstanding senior history major.
  • Jandoli Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Journalism Curriculum is awarded to a senior who, in the judgment of the Jandoli School of Communication, has excelled in the area of journalism in an outstanding manner.
  • Mark Hellinger Award established in 1960, is granted annually to the senior in the Jandoli School of Communication who, in the judgment of the faculty, has demonstrated academic excellence and genuine promise in the area of mass communication and journalism. A monetary award is also given.
  • Koop Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Broadcast Curriculum goes to a senior who has excelled in the area of broadcast in an outstanding manner.
  • Mosser Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Strategic Communication Curriculum goes to a senior who has excelled in the area of strategic communication in an outstanding manner.
  • Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award recognizes the Jandoli School of Communication female student who has excelled in and out of the classroom, set an example for peers and demonstrated great promise for success in future endeavors.
  • Father Cornelius Welch Award for Achievement in Photography goes to a senior who has excelled in achievements in photography.
  • Tapestry Diversity Award  goes to a senior who has produced original content (digital, print, visual, or broadcast) and/or led significant efforts that address social justice, multiculturalism, diversity, bias issues, or inclusion. Examples include blogs, videos, podcasts, news stories, articles, photographs, events, advertisements or marketing communications materials that speak to diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • ​Paul Wieland Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Sports Media Curriculum goes to a senior who has excelled in sports media. 
  • ​Military Science Award is presented to the senior who, upon the recommendation of the Department of Military Science, demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic excellence in his or her military science courses for four years.
  • Instrumental Music Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated general excellence in instrumental musical activities for four years.
  • Choral Music Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated general excellence in choral music activities for four years.
  • Theater Award is given to the student or students who have demonstrated dedication and excellence in SBU Theater production and the study of theater.
  • Visual Arts Award is given to the senior who has demonstrated general excellence in visual arts activities for four years.
  • Biology Award is presented to the biology senior who, upon the recommendation of a departmental committee, demonstrated general academic excellence and specific accomplishment in the field of biology.
  • John L. and Leone E. Worden Award is given to a Biology or Biochemistry junior demonstrating exceptional academic performance. The award supports mentored undergraduate research during the senior year at St. Bonaventure University.
  • Mathematics Award is given to the senior who, upon the recommendation of the department of mathematics, has demonstrated general excellence in mathematics throughout their undergraduate career.
  • Computer Science Achievement Award is given to the senior who, upon the recommendation of the department of computer science, has demonstrated general excellence in computer science for four years.
  • Computer Science Service Award is given to the senior who, upon the recommendation of the department of computer science, assisted the department by assuming duties critical to the success of the program.
  • Pi Delta Phi Award - French Honor Society is given to the senior who has contributed unselfishly to the chapter and has shown general excellence in French.
  • Modern Language Awards are given to senior majors in French and Spanish who, in the judgment of the department, have shown outstanding achievement in the literature and language of their major.
  • Sigma Delta Pi Award - Spanish Honor Society is given to the senior who has contributed unselfishly to the chapter and has shown general excellence in Spanish.
  • Sigma Pi Sigma Award is granted to the outstanding senior physics major of the graduating class, upon a vote of the department staff.
  • International Studies Award is awarded to the senior who has done outstanding work in International Studies.  
  • Carl Wagner Psychology Honors Award recognizes distinguished participation in the psychology program.
  • Alpha Gamma Psi Award is given to the senior psychology major who has shown excellence in course work for four years.
  • Political Science Award is given to the outstanding senior majoring in political science.
  • Thomas A. Augustine Award, established by Rosella Augustine in memory of her brother, a former faculty member, is presented annually to a major in sociology, history, social science or journalism/mass communication who is recommended by the appointed committee.
  • American Chemical Society Penn-York Section Excellence in Chemistry Award is given to a senior who has demonstrated general excellence in chemistry.
  • American Institute of Chemists Award is an award given to the senior who has maintained the highest rank in all the courses offered by the department of chemistry.
  • Dr. Pierre R. Bretey Award is presented to a senior student majoring in finance who attains the highest academic standing.
  • John G. Watson Award for Business Leadership is given to a senior who has attained a high cumulative academic index in the School of Business and has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities.
  • S. John Guson Award is presented annually to the senior student majoring in accounting who, in the opinion of the faculty has made the greatest contribution to enhancing the program.
  • Accounting Excellence Award is given to an outstanding senior majoring in accounting.
  • Y.S. Pandit Award is given to a graduating student who, through industry and perseverance, exhibits a sense of responsibility to achieve excellence in the field of business administration and economics.
  • New York State Society of CPAs Senior Award of Honor is given to the senior who has achieved outstanding academic distinction in accounting.
  • Outstanding Transfer Student in Accounting Award
  • Austin Finan Award in Finance is presented to a senior student majoring  in finance who shows academic excellence in finance.
  • Dr. John H. Burns Award for Excellence in Finance is awarded to a senior who maintains academic excellence in finance during his or her four years at the University and shows a commitment to the Franciscan spirit.
  • Award for Overall Excellence in Marketing. The intent of the award is to recognize overall student excellence in marketing. The minimum requirements include senior standing with grade point average above 3.0, both overall and in marketing. The student should have successfully completed at least 45 credit hours at SBU and must show evidence of significant participation in extracurricular activities. The student should not be the recipient of another award for overall excellence in the School of Business.
  • Award for Overall Excellence in Management. The intent of the award is to recognize overall student excellence in management. The minimum requirements include senior standing with grade point average above 3.0, both overall and in management. The student should have successfully completed at least 45 credit hours at SBU and must show evidence of significant participation in extracurricular activities. The student should not be the recipient of another award for overall excellence in the School of Business.

  • Award for Academic Excellence in Sports Management is awarded to a senior student majoring in sports  management who demonstrates superior academic performance.

  • Award for Franciscan Spirit in Sports Management is awarded to a senior student majoring in sports management who demonstrates a commitment to the Franciscan spirit in addition to academic success.

  • Marketing Leadership Award is awarded to a senior marketing major who is judged by the marketing department faculty to be outstanding in leadership, engagement, and service to the department, showing great promise for success in future endeavors.

  • Margaret T. Bryner HEOP Award is given to the graduating senior who has made a significant contribution to the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), demonstrated academic achievement and contributed to the university community.