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.

AITP is the departmental organization directly associated with ISDS at the E.J. Ourso College of Business at LSU. They are an organization that fosters student career success in the field of technology. Members are able to connect with classmates, collaborate with fellow ISDS majors, and network with business professionals to expand their network and knowledge of the constantly evolving IT industry. 

Members who have attended at least 5 professional development events throughout the semester will be recognized by wearing a gold stole with a purple AITP logo.

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.

Beta Beta Beta is a national biological honors society that fosters networking with professors and other students. This organization hosts meetings, events, and socials to engage students with LSU's College of Science while connecting undergraduates with faculty who enable students to conduct undergraduate research. Distinguished members are students specifically within biology related degrees who have maintained honor-level 3.0 GPAs and regularly attend club meetings, helping to further advance collaboration among future biology professionals while understanding the importance of academic success. 

The BioMedical Engineering Society is a national professional organization with more than 6,800 members and 115 student chapters. The Biological Engineering Student Organization BMES chapter at LSU has existed for more than 40 years, acting as a pre-professional club for college students committed to a career in this field. This cord is meant to recognize students who have a demonstrated commitment to giving back to the community and to the field of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. 

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 Coalition of Black Women in STEM is an organization for African American women in STEM majors. This group inspires and uplifts its members and creates a positive impact on the community. Graduates wearing the silver and white cords are STEM majors, have a minimum of five volunteer hours, and regularly attend meetings.

Delta Gamma is one of the largest international women’s organizations with more than 250,000 members and 150 collegiate chapters.

The Gamma Zeta chapter is one of the largest and most highly respected sororities at LSU, just recently celebrating its 75th anniversary of being on LSU's campus. The sisters of Delta Gamma strive towards fostering high ideals of friendship among women, promoting their educational and cultural interests, creating a true sense of social responsibility, and developing in them the best qualities of character. 

Delta Zeta is an enduring sisterhood based on a heritage of core values, academic excellence, leadership development, and service to others. Delta Zeta members take pride in upholding the 6 core values established by its founders: friendship, curiosity, generosity, citizenship, empowerment, and belonging. The stole showcases each member's academic and philanthropic dedication to serving LSU through Greek life over the past four years, specifically the Delta Zeta Sorority. 

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 Early Childhood Association is established for the expressed purpose of developing leadership skills and encouraging participation and professionalism in the field of education for young children. 

Information on this program and the requirements for this award are found at the LSU Early Childhood Association.

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.

First-generation students are students whose parents did not complete a bachelor’s college degree. A first-generation student may also be a student whose parents completed a bachelor’s college degree outside of the United States.

In recognition of their achievements, first generation graduates will wear a sky blue cord. The Olinde Career Center will provide these cords. For information on how to receive these cords, please contact their office.

SAE International's Collegiate Design Series (CDS) competitions take students beyond textbook theory by enabling them to design, build, and test the performance of a real vehicle and then compete with other students from around the globe in exciting and intense competitions. All CDS competitions prepare undergraduate and graduate engineering students in a variety of disciplines for future employment in mobility-related industries by challenging them with a hands-on, team engineering experience that also requires budgeting, communication, project management, and resource management skills. Students also gain valuable exposure with recruiters from leading companies in the mobility industry to help land their first engineering job after graduation.

TigerRacing Formula SAE team members who have been an active member for at least two years will be recognized with a white stole with a yellow border with the LSU Formula SAE TigerRacing logo. The stole will also feature their position held. 

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 Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers is a professional society dedicated solely to the support of the Industrial Engineering profession pertaining to professional development and networking. The stole worn by members of the IISE organization are symbols of pride and accomplishment for being a part of this professional organization. These members wearing this stole at the academic ceremony displays leadership and commitment to professionally developing themselves during their time with IISE.

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 Kinesiology Club acquaints students with research and educational developments, promotes professionalism in the Kinesiology field, and provides a resource bank specific to our field, including information about potential employment, as well as professional organization membership and certification. Our club promotes social and academic interaction among graduate and undergraduate Kinesiology students and promotes a physically active lifestyle throughout the campus and its surrounding community. 

Leadership LSU is designed to give students the experience of developing and applying their leadership at high levels while in their final semesters at LSU. Students wearing the Leadership LSU Stole have applied and been selected to complete the semester long program. To be included in the cohort they must demonstrate leadership and meet academic and conduct standards. A maximum of 50 students per year are selected to participate in Leadership LSU. 

SOARS is a prestigious scholarship program within the College of Science awarded to students based on academic excellence and financial need. The blue and yellow cords are given to students who were part of the SOARS Scholarship program from initial selection until their senior year. 

Visit the LSU SOARS website for more information on this scholarship program.

The National Society of Leaderships and Success is an organization that provides a life-changing leadership program that helps students achieve personal growth, career success, and empowers them to have a positive impact in their communities.

Members will be recognized by wearing silver stole featuring in black the NSLS Sigma Alpha Pi letters. They will also wear a silver and black cord.

The National TRIO Alumni Association (NTAA) promotes the continued existence of TRIO programs; and foster enduring relationships between alumni, students, and partners through intellectual, professional, and personal connections. At LSU there are three TRIO programs, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program. Through their academic, financial, social, and cultural supportive services, TRIO programs have empowered an estimated 6 million low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities to enter and graduate college. This regalia will be worn by an alumnus of a TRIO program. 

Members will be recognized by wearing a white stole with TRIO printed on one side and the logo of the National TRIO Alumni Association printed on the other.

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.

Omega Nu Lambda is a national collegiate honor society exclusively for online students. It was founded with the purpose of assisting online students have a better experience by acknowledging their academic achievements, offering scholarship opportunities, and creating community. Members are invited by their university representative. 

For more information on this organization, please reach out to the campus representative, Courtney Kirschner.

Pi Sigma Epsilon is a professional organization for students and professionals in the field of sales, marketing, and management. PSE's mission is to develop professional skills and leadership abilities in its members through practical experience, workshops, and networking opportunities. Pi Sigma Epsilon also aims to foster a sense of community and social responsibility among its members. Membership is open to students who have an interest in sales, marketing, or management and who meet the organization's academic and professional standards.

Members will be recognized by wearing gold stole featuring their organization's symbol and name in purple.

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.

LSU's Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College engages a diverse population of high-achieving students in a dynamic interaction of outstanding instruction, innovative research, and public service.

All Honors' College graduates will be recognized by a champagne cord. Those graduating with thesis honors will also receive a silver cord. Students graduating with upper division honors will receive a white cord. Information on the requirements for these honors can be found listed on the Honors College website. 

Thesis Honors Cord	Honors College Graduate Cord	Upper Division Honors Cord

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.

Sigma Alpha is LSU’s only professional and social sorority. Sigma Alpha was founded in 1978 at Ohio State University to promote women in agriculture, but members of any major and background are welcome. Like other sororities, Sigma Alpha embraces service in the community with two philanthropies. Their national philanthropy is Agriculture in the Community, which aims to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society. The Zeta chapter’s local philanthropy is Companion Animal Alliance. They support the shelter by volunteering time with the animals as well as raising funds through an annual philanthropy event. Sigma Alpha strives for achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service and offers a wonderful opportunity to make lifelong friendships.

Sigma Gamma Rho has a proud history of providing positive and proactive community outreach nationally and internationally. The sorority's mission is to enhance the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally through community service, civil action, and social action. Their goal is to achieve greater progress in the areas of education, health, awareness, and leadership development. The members, affiliates, staff, and community partners work to create and support initiatives that align with the sorority’s vision—Greater Service, Greater Progress. The Gamma Pi chapter was chartered on LSU’s campus on March 23, 2000, by four undergraduate students.

LSU's student organization for Sport Administration majors aims to connect members with other SPADM majors and aspiring sport professionals. This club offers a variety of opportunities for networking, professional development and skill enhancement. Seniors in the Sport Administration Association are eligible to be recognized at graduation. 

Student Government's mission is to lead, advocate, and serve. LSU Student Government officers work tirelessly to improve the student experience at LSU. This is done through our elected and appointed branches. Students write legislation, meet with administrators, host programming, and create initiatives that benefit LSU's community as a whole. These student leaders serve the community by acting as advocates for student opinions and ensuring student representation across campus.

Tau Beta Pi is the oldest Engineering Honor Society. Tau Beta Pi was founded in 1885 to recognize outstanding students who display both distinguished scholarship in engineering fields and exemplary character. The LA Alpha chapter at LSU has been on campus since 1936. 

In order to gain membership into Tau Beta Pi, an engineering student must be in the top 1/8th of the junior class or the top 1/5th of the senior class (within the College of Engineering) while exhibiting exemplary qualities of character. Initiated, active members of the LA Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi completing our requirements of one professional development meeting and one service event per semester until graduating are allowed to wear the adornment.

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.