Summa Cum Laude Denied on a Technicality
Courtesy of William Paterson University
April 15, 2019
The month prior to graduation is one of the most stressful times of a college student’s life. A goal that one has been working towards for four years is just slightly out of reach. However, William Paterson University recently put a damper on my excitement and sense of accomplishment by denying me my rightfully earned summa cum laude cords.
During the “Pioneer Salute” ceremony, I was told that due to the number of credits I have taken at other universities, I do not have enough WPU-based credits to qualify for summa cum laude, regardless of my 3.957 GPA. The summa cum laude recognition will be depicted on my transcript and diploma, but the lack of recognition nullifies the point of graduation for me.
During my senior year of high school, I had the amazing opportunity to take three classes (6 credits) at Fairleigh Dickinson University and obviously took advantage of the opportunity. I was excited to jump start my college career at 17 years old.
I subsequently attended County College of Morris after high school and earned my associate degree. I transferred to WPU to complete my bachelor’s in communication.
My two years at WPU have been some of the most fulfilling times of life. I have been Editor-in-Chief of the school’s newspaper, The Beacon, and an inducted member of Phi Sigma Tau- Iota Chapter, the international honor society in philosophy. Thanks to my outstanding professors in the communication and philosophy departments, I feel wholly prepared to start the next phase in my life as a professional journalist.
However, this disheartening situation is one of my final interactions with this university, and it has left such a bad taste in my mouth. I cannot grasp why someone would penalize a top student for being more advanced than his or her peers and taking college-level classes in high school.
While my arguments against this decision seem to have fallen on deaf ears with president Richard Helldobler and provost Sandy De Young, I will continue my strife in appealing this unnecessary policy for myself and future transfer students who will be equally as disappointed. I have decided to not attend graduation on May 15 as it is senseless to be a part of a ceremony that is not celebrating my accomplishments.
GM_ • Sep 19, 2022 at 10:40 am
This is one of the most entitled whinny posts I’ve seen in a while. I understand I am “late to the game” here, but wow. To start, most colleges have public access to the requirements of earning cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. You have earned it on your transcript (that’s what matters), but to be formally recognized, normally it requires 60 in residence credit hours at the university. I also have earned the summa cum laude distinction (in Engineering), so I understand full well how difficult that can be, especially when the GPA of the graduating class is under a 3.1. However, this sentiment of, “Im not going unless I am given praise” is entitlement to the highest degree. It completely misses the point of what it means to earn that distinction, and further shows a lack of character and humility. The real world will eat you alive with that type of attitude. What is important is your experience and acquired knowledge from your university. Understanding that wisdom comes with experience and that growth and learning is never done. Pride on the other hand is toxic to both.. and this article is embarrassingly seething with it. There are often times upwards of 3,000 or more students at University graduations. Sorry to say, but in the big picture, you aren’t special. This is not high school, this is college. An undergraduate degree, though an accomplishment in its own right, is a dime a dozen, and a 3.957, though outstanding, does not make you the valedictorian or place you anywhere close to being the smartest, brightest, or most accomplished graduate at the university. Your accomplishments mean something to you (and maybe your parents) but very little to anyone else. Learning what matters and what doesn’t, how to control your pride, and accepting fair standards (60 credit hours in residence to be eligible for additional recognition) are pieces of wisdom, not knowledge..
I’m sorry if you didn’t attend your graduation, especially if, as you said, your time there was some of the most fulfilling of your life. That decision seems rash and spiteful, stemming from pride and an over inflated sense of self importance and accomplishment. Sadly, universities often don’t and can’t teach character, leadership, and humility.. That comes from personal self growth, time, and experience.
Best of luck as a journalist. Be proud of your accomplishments, but understand public praise means very little.. the knowledge and fact that you earned something cannot be stripped away.. it honestly sounds like your more fixated on comparing yourself to others and being seen as ‘better’ than caring about celebrating each-others accomplishments and the next milestone in your life.
You can choose to be negative and self pitying or choose to be positive and uplifting.. I hope in the years past, you’ve learned how to become the latter.
LadyMarie • Jun 27, 2022 at 11:15 pm
I recommend you to file a complaint through the State Board of Education where you live and have it appealed.
Scott Seigel • May 20, 2022 at 6:18 pm
Congratulations! As an educator and a citizen, I often find snotty-faced heaps of parrot droppings granting themselves the perception of significance by aspiring to and attaining positions of authority with little-to-no grasp of the most important aspect of all such positions: humanity. As with all things, exceptions can and should be made. Instead, these weak, little people with their big titles “distinguish” themselves by strictly and mechanically enforcing antiquated rules written to prevent utterly different abuses which lie well beyond their capacity to differentiate from your situation. People like you get to pay for it. Well done writing this article and boycotting their self-importance fest. Only you and God know how hard you worked. As a consolation, knowing you fully deserved an honor and were passed over places you in excellent company. Don’t let bitterness get in your way. Forgive and conquer!
Raven • May 19, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Rules are rules. Not fair for those who went 4 years at that University and earn it. Your GPA calculation is based on your last 2 years and not on your entire academical journey.
Julo Villalba LtCol USMC (Ret.) • Apr 27, 2022 at 7:15 pm
Unfortunately Colleges and Universities are about making money than looking out for their students. If they allow you to be recognized then they open the flood gates to all others and so then they would loose great sums amounts of money. You earned the title despite greedy schools (which we see with the growing amount of debt that our students gradate with). You still get to put this on your resume and hang the achievement on the wall. It’s a shame that some school leaders see money as more important than a society of graduating professionals that will give back to Americans.