On December 16 these students will graduate from the College of Liberal Arts and take their place as alumni members of The University of Iowa Class of 2000. A number of the December graduates have earned special honors during their years at Iowa. In recognition of their academic achievements, the College hosted a Commencement Honors Reception on December 15 in the Iowa Memorial Union. Among the students were more than 40 individuals who have graduated with honors in their majors. To achieve this recognition, these students have taken particular courses and worked closely with faculty advisers to prepare intensive honors projects.
Projects can include laboratory research, a fine arts portfolio, or an undergraduate thesis.
During the graduation ceremony, honors students wear white cords around their necks. Iowa students also can graduate with one of three levels of distinction. Students whose grade-point average is within the top two percent of their class are awarded their degrees with Highest Distinction. High Distinction honors those who are in the next three percent of the graduating class, and Distinction recognizes students whose grade-point average falls in the next five percent. Students who graduate with distinction wear one, two, or three gold stars on the left arm of their graduation gowns.