HonorsAnd Awards
Dean’s List
The Committee on Standards has established the following standards for Dean’s List Distinction: Students must complete four full-credit courses or their equivalent for the academic semester; at least three of the courses must be taken for grades, with no grades below C-; courses taken for CR/NC must receive a grade of CR; no incomplete initiated by the student for non-medical reason may be taken; and a grade point average of 3.5 must be attained.
The Dean's List is calculated each semester. A notation of this honor is made on the student's transcript, and the list is posted outside the Office of the Deans and on the HWS website.
Honors Program
The Honors Program is a distinctive feature of Hobart and William Smith, open to qualified students seeking the depth of an independent study over two semesters within their departmental or individual majors. In collaboration with an Honors faculty advisor, a student designs and conducts a project focused on scholarly, experimental, or artistic activity within a defined academic fields. The Honors program provides students with the opportunity for sustained, sophisticated work modeled on post-graduate formats. Honors students complete three components: a written examination in the Honors field of study; a thesis paper or its equivalent in an artistic, musical, or theatrical production; and an oral examination of the Honors project. The Honors project is evaluated by a three-member committee convened by the Honors faculty advisor. The individual Honors committee includes an expert in the field from another institution or college, and two faculty members from Hobart and William Smith. Successful candidates receive their degree with Honors, which is acknowledged in the Commencement program as well as on their permanent record. All Honors papers, including supplementary photographic materials and recordings, are kept in a permanent collection in the Warren Hunting Smith Library.
Honor Societies
Phi Beta Kappa is represented at Hobart and William Smith by the Zeta Chapter of New York. Each spring, students from the junior and senior classes are chosen to become members. This is the highest academic honor an undergraduate can achieve and is based on their GPA and breadth of coursework across the divisions.
Other scholastic collegiate honor societies are affiliated with Hobart and William Smith departments or programs including: Dobro Slovo (the national Slavic honor society); Epsilon Alpha Kappa (the American Studies honor society); Eta Sigma Phi (the honorary society for classical studies); Japanese National Honor Society, College Chapter; Lambda Pi Eta (the national communications honor society); Omicron Delta Epsilon (the international honor society for economics); Pi Delta Phi (the national French honor society); Pi Sigma Alpha (the national political science honor society); and Psi Chi (the international honor society in psychology).
The Deans of the College oversee academic honor societies historically grounded in the traditions of Hobart and William Smith. Founded in 1953, the Hai Timiai Society honors seniors for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, leadership, character, and service. Seven students are selected annually by their peers and the deans. Students of this historic William Smith College honor society have been female-identifying and/or gender nonbinary. Members of The Society represent the student body and advise the deans on academic matters.
The Druid Society was formed by Hobart College in 1903 and honors senior student leaders to further the ideals of character, service, loyalty, and leadership. Seven students are selected annually by their peers and the deans. Students of this historic Hobart College honor society have been male-identifying and/or gender nonbinary. Members of The Society represent the student body and are the official keepers of The Oar. The passing of The Oar at the induction symbolizes the link between generations of Druids.
The Laurel Society celebrates sophomore and junior students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our Hobart and William Smith community through experiences that emphasize their academic accomplishments (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0), leadership, and a deep commitment to life on campus. In addition, the Laurel Society especially values a strong commitment to mentorship. Fifteen to twenty students are selected annually by the deans. Established in the 1990s by a former Dean of William Smith, students of this honor society historically have been female-identifying and/or gender nonbinary.
Chimera Orange Key recognizes sophomore and junior students who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our Hobart and William Smith community through experiences that emphasize their academic accomplishments (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0), leadership, and a deep commitment to life on campus. In addition, Chimera Orange Key regards service to others as of particular significance. Fifteen to twenty students are selected annually by the deans. Students of this honor society historically have been male-identifying and/or gender nonbinary.
Endowed Funds and Scholarships
A considerable number of endowed scholarships and prizes are among the memorial and commemorative funds that have been established at Hobart and William Smith over the past 150 years. In addition to these endowed funds, grants in support of scholarship aid, prize awards, library support, and other special purposes are received annually from generous friends.