Annual Events and Traditions

Fall Semester

Lateral and Transfer Student Mini-Con

Honors Fall Kickoff

SHO invites new and returning honors students to kick off the first week of the academic year with food, opportunities to mingle, and a chance to connect with officers from all of the Honors Student Organizations.

Honors Involvement Conference

Honors Holiday Party

Coordinated by the Honors Program office to celebrate the end of the fall semester. Open to 150 honors students, the party features honors musical performances, festive decor, and delicious treats. A food drive for the local Bread of the Mighty Food Bank serves as admission into the party. Registration opens in late November.

Reading Day Retreat at the Austin Cary Forest

Students are invited to spend a quiet day studying, roaming the forest, and exploring an antique turpentine still at the Austin Cary Forest. This event, hosted by SHO, is held twice annually in the days leading up fall and spring finals. Coffee and lunch are provided for attendees. 

Fall Medallion Ceremony

The fall Medallion Ceremony is held at the Harn Museum of Art as part of the university's fall graduation weekend. More intimate than our much larger spring ceremony, each honors student who has earned their Honors Medallion is invited to the podium to share the academic or enrichment memory that has impacted them. Learn more about the Honors Medallion Ceremony.

Spring Semester

Honors Week

Honors Week is a week-long celebration of the honors community, annually held the week of Honors Early Registration in March. Activities featuring food, games, nature, concerts, art, and more are coordinated by the Honors Program and honors student organizations. Events are open to all members of Honors from students to faculty / staff.

SHO Formal

Honors students are invited to wrap up each academic year with SHO's uniquely themed Spring Formal. This event is the honors equivalent of prom. Hosted in unusual venues across Gainesville, students dress in their finest and enjoy dancing, good food, and fun as they make lasting memories. 

Envision: Honors Creative Competition

Formerly known as Luminaire and coordinated by the Association of Honors Art (AHA!).

UnCommon Excellence Celebration

One of our newest traditions, this event allows us to celebrate the various forms of excellence found within the honors community. Scholarship, fellowship, and major award recipients will be recognized. This event is also where we will recognize our Honors Student Organization Award winners and Honors Teaching / Advising award recipients.

Reading Day Retreat at the Austin Cary Forest

Students are invited to spend the day studying, roaming the forest and lake, and exploring an antique turpentine still at the Austin Cary Forest. This event, hosted by SHO, is held twice annually in the days leading up fall and spring finals. Coffee and lunch are provided for attendees. 

Spring Medallion Ceremony

The spring Honors Medallion Ceremony is a grand affair held at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts during the university's spring graduation weekend. This event features a formal Processional, a graduating senior keynote address, and recognition of the Honors Hall of Fame inductees. Learn more about the Honors Medallion Ceremony.