Commencement Information
Degrees are conferred three times each year: September 1, February 1, and June 1. Students must complete and submit an Application for Conferral ("Degree Card") to the Student Response Center, 232 Capen Hall. For September conferral, application must be submitted by July 1; for February, October 1; for June, February 1. To march in the General Commencement ceremony in May, and to reserve guest tickets, the student should go to specialevents.buffalo.edu, "commencement." Information is posted by the previous November. Space is limited, so students should reserve early.
Commencement Honors and Awards
Anthropology majors are eligible for any of a number of SUNY, UB, and Departmental awards made toward the end of the year, and announced and presented at Commencement ceremonies.
SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, the highest student award. Candidates are selected by a UB committee based on overall GPA and activities, then forwarded to Albany where final SUNY-wide candidates are selected.
College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Seniors/Dean's Commencement Award. The DUS and Undergraduate Committee select the best Senior candidate based on GPA and University service, and give the dossier to the CAS Dean.
Lucia Maria Houpt Award the outstanding graduating senior in the Department of Anthropology, based on GPA., Departmental service, and University-wide service, selected by the DUS and Undergraduate Committee.
Marion Dickson Award for outstanding Junior based on overall and Departmental GPA and Departmental service, selected by the DUS and Undergraduate Committee.
In the Spring semester faculty and students will be invited to nominate graduating seniors for the following awards (self-nominations are encouraged!); final selections are made by the DUS and Undergraduate Committee:
Justin Van Ness Award, to a graduating senior with documented active interest in the environment.
Klein Family Award for a graduating senior with documented plans to attend medical or dental school.
Nathaniel Cantor Award, to a graduating senior with documented plans to pursue work in Social Work or Vocational Rehabilitation.
Undergraduate Professional Activities and Achievement in Anthropology Award, presented to a graduating senior who has engaged in professional activities as an undergraduate, to an extent that it warrants special recognition.
Leadership Award, presented to an undergraduate student who has shown exceptional dedication to the Department of Anthropology through service.
Election to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most prestigious honors society (established on Dec. 5, 1776, at the College of William & Mary), is offered to outstanding juniors and seniors by a Committee of the UB Chapter. Criteria are GPA over a minimum number of UB credit hours, and service.
Latin Honors: cum laude ("with praise;" cumulative GPA of 3.2), magna cum laude ("with great praise;" cum.GPA of 3.5), or summa cum laude ("with highest praise;" cum. GPA of 3.75) are bestowed by UB upon conferral of degree.