Valedictorians are students selected to address the graduating class at one of the College’s Commencement ceremonies. A unique valedictorian is selected for each ceremony. Students are selected for this honor based on sustained academic excellence and other outstanding accomplishments that contribute to life at Columbia College, the community, and/or the arts.
The salutatorian is the student in the graduating class whose academic record and accomplishments are the next highest in achievement after the valedictorian. A committee comprising the associate provost, the associate director of the college advising center, and a faculty committee selects the valedictorian in the spring semester. Students of superior academic achievement are considered for selection as the valedictorian and salutatorian. In addition, these students have:
* A cumulative grade point average of 4.0, computed on all courses taken at Columbia College Chicago.
* A record of consistent commitment to the Columbia curriculum; that is, those students who indicated a discipline early in their Columbia career and sustained interest and commitment.
* A record of college and community service that extends beyond service-learning opportunities in the curriculum.
* A strong recommendation from the college faculty.
* A completion of an official major.
* Fewer then 30 transfer credits.