Academic Regalia

The University Medal is awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with the GPA of 4.0 or higher, provided that the student (or students) earn all A-level grades and more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU A&M. In semesters where no student qualifies based on the above criteria, no medal will be awarded. Grade-point averages will be computed for (1) all work completed and (2) all work completed at LSU A&M with the lower of the two averages determining eligibility for the medal. Course grades that were excluded previously through the Grade Exclusion Policy will be included in determining the University Medalists. All grades will be used to determine medalists.

Information on eligibility can be found in the LSU Catalog.

Undergraduate degree candidates who will graduate with Latin Honors wear cords.  Purple and gold cords are worn by degree candidates who graduate with Latin Honors. White cords are worn by undergraduate degree candidates who graduate with Upper Division Honors.  Purple, gold, and white cords, or any combination of the three colors, are not authorized to be worn by any other graduates.

Summa Cum Laude	Magna Cum Laude	Cum Laude	Upper Division Honors
Degrees are awarded summa cum laude to students whose grade point averages is at least 3.90. Additional information on eligibility can be found in the LSU Catalog. Summa Cum Laude graduates wear a purple and a gold cord.	Degrees are awarded magna cum laude to students whose grade point averages  is at least 3.80. Additional information on eligibility can be found in the LSU Catalog. Magna Cum Laude graduates wear two gold cords.	Degrees are awarded magna cum laude to students whose grade point averages  is at least 3.70. Additional information on eligibility can be found in the LSU Catalog. Cum Laude graduates wear two purple cord.	Upper Division Honors Distinction is an achievement within the Ogden Honors College curriculum. Information on eligibility can be found through the Ogden Honors College.  Upper Division Honors graduates wear a white cord.

Undergraduate degree candidates graduating with College Honors wear the undergraduate hood.  Hoods are not authorized to be worn by other undergraduate degree candidates. College Honors is the culmination of the Ogden Honors curriculum. Information on eligibility can be found through the Ogden Honors College.

LSU varsity student-athletes graduates wear a white stole that recognizes their status as a student-athlete. Information on these graduates can be found through LSU Athletics.

Chi Omega is the largest women's fraternity nationwide with over 173 chapters and 300,000 initiates.

The Phi Gamma chapter at LSU has been established for 87 years. The sisters of Chi Omega pride themselves in upholding the six purposes established by its founders: friendship, high standards of personnel, sincere learning and credible scholarship, participation in campus activities, career development, and community service.

The LSU Distinguished Communicator program is for self-motivated LSU undergraduates who want to refine their communication skills and excel in their chosen professions. Students who successfully achieve this unique distinction are recognized with a medal at graduation and receive a permanent commendation on their official transcripts, giving them significant leverage in today’s job market. Upon completion of the program, these students possess the competitive skills and knowledge needed for 21st-century leadership.

Information on the program and the requirements can be found through Communication Across Curriculum.

The LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher designation recognizes the achievements of outstanding LSU undergraduates who participate in a track of educational and research activities leading to a final and public presentation or publication of a faculty-mentored undergraduate scholarly project. An LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher is a student who has demonstrated outstanding ability as an advanced student researcher in their discipline. Distinguished Researchers will be honored at a special medal ceremony in their graduating semester and the designation will be noted on their transcripts.

Information on this program and the requirements for this award are found at the Discover Undergraduate Research Program. 

The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership (CCELL), in conjunction with LSU Campus Life , has established the Engaged Citizen Program, which seeks to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who engage significantly with their communities to address critical community needs. For graduation, Engaged Citizens receive a medal and certificate during a celebration ceremony held on campus the week of your college’s graduation. They will also have the distinction on your college transcript—an accolade to add on applications and resumes that proves you used your knowledge and skills to serve others as an Engaged Citizen.

Information on the Engaged Citizen Program can be found through CCELL.

Habitat for Humanity senior cords are designed to honor and recognize members for their incredible hard-work and dedication to the club's mission throughout their years in the organization. 

At LSU, those wearing this cord will have attended at least 6 builds and have at least 40 volunteer hours at the Habitat Re-store retail location.

The graduation stole, "Kente Cloth" presented to LSU graduates by the African American Cultural Center is custom made and woven in Ghana, West Africa. The patterns and colors woven into the Kente cloth represent distinctive qualities exemplified by Louisiana State University graduates. The colors not only represent the tradition of our great University but also the culture, royalty, and precious metals from our rich heritage. Information on the robing ceremony can be provided by the African American Cultural Center.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosts a Multicultural Graduation Celebration to celebrate the achievements and honor the intersectionality of students graduating from LSU who identify as Latinx/Hispanic/Latin American, Native American, and Asian/Asian American & Pacific Islander.  The graduation stoles are custom made and feature patterns and colors woven into the stoles to represent distinctive qualities exemplified by Louisiana State University graduates.  Students may choose who they wish to present their cord and this event is open to the public. Information on this ceremony and ordering the stoles can be found through the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

The Pre-Dental Society at LSU is a student organization geared towards those interested in the fields of dentistry, dental hygiene and dental lab technology. The purple and white cord signifies participation in the organization that prepares students for dental or dental hygiene school. More information on this organization can be found on the Pre-Dental Society website.

The Pre-Law Society at LSU is an organization that serves as a valuable resource for students interested in pursuing a career in the legal field.

To wear this honor cord, students must be active members who have gained at least 2 cohesion points, 3 volunteer points, and attendance at least 4 events such as induction, panels, practice LSATs, etc. All members must already be in academic good standing with the organization.

Commissioning officers who have completed ROTC are eligible to wear the prescribed dress uniform. Information on commissioning ceremonies can be found through each branch: Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, and Naval ROTC.

Participation in the LSU Tiger Marching Band program reflects an above-and-beyond commitment to Louisiana State University and the State of Louisiana; students in the program honor the musical traditions of the Old War Skule and simultaneously serve as contemporary goodwill ambassadors on national and international stages. For graduating seniors with multiple years of service in the organization, the LSU Department of Bands offers this regalia in recognition of their distinctive contributions to our institution and state.

This recognition is represented through a satin fabric stole in gold, with "The Golden Band From Tigerland" mark on one side, representing the modern organization, and the classic LSU diamond iconography on the other, paying tribute to the band's historic pedigree.