2008 Woodie Awards
Magna-summa-whata? Making sense of the dead language on diplomas
Melissa Mary Smith, Reporter
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Graduation
If you are graduating this semester, you might have either worked hard, studied hard, partied hard, skipped class or attended it religiously. Depending on the balance you struck between those classroom and extracurricular activities, your diploma may arrive with a few scholarly, Latin words next your name.
Summa cum laude means with highest achievement or honor, magna cum laude translates to high honor or praise, and cum laude means with honor.
These designations are assigned in accordance to the student's GPA, early graduation and high academic achievement.
However, do these "honorary" titles mean anything to YSU students, or more importantly, employers?
YSU sociology professor Brenda Bodine believes that due to credentialism these distinctions do matter to employers, but only when applying for your first job.
Bodine also added that these rankings are characteristics of our country and that it is a universal honor to those that are at the top.
"It depends on the employer, but a lot of them do look at them," Senior Adie Kurtanich said.
Although juniors Alina Rios and Randi Bowen were unfamiliar with these Latin distinctions, both felt they might hold some weight on job applications.
"I think it looks good on your resume. It always depends on what job you're going for, too," Rios said.
"I think it would matter to some places," Bowen said
Some YSU students felt differently about the ranking system. Freshman Christine Mutejka said that while it is important to do well academically, some of her college graduate family members were still hired at good jobs.
Sophomore Jarrett Partridge said that in addition to academic performance, employers also keep your personality in consideration.
Freshman, Mike DeMarco felt entirely different on the matter.
"They just don't mean that much after all of that, like, you get a degree and someone will hire you, but not because of your designations," said Demarco.
Summa cum laude means with highest achievement or honor, magna cum laude translates to high honor or praise, and cum laude means with honor.
These designations are assigned in accordance to the student's GPA, early graduation and high academic achievement.
However, do these "honorary" titles mean anything to YSU students, or more importantly, employers?
YSU sociology professor Brenda Bodine believes that due to credentialism these distinctions do matter to employers, but only when applying for your first job.
Bodine also added that these rankings are characteristics of our country and that it is a universal honor to those that are at the top.
"It depends on the employer, but a lot of them do look at them," Senior Adie Kurtanich said.
Although juniors Alina Rios and Randi Bowen were unfamiliar with these Latin distinctions, both felt they might hold some weight on job applications.
"I think it looks good on your resume. It always depends on what job you're going for, too," Rios said.
"I think it would matter to some places," Bowen said
Some YSU students felt differently about the ranking system. Freshman Christine Mutejka said that while it is important to do well academically, some of her college graduate family members were still hired at good jobs.
Sophomore Jarrett Partridge said that in addition to academic performance, employers also keep your personality in consideration.
Freshman, Mike DeMarco felt entirely different on the matter.
"They just don't mean that much after all of that, like, you get a degree and someone will hire you, but not because of your designations," said Demarco.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
Pete Penguin
posted 5/04/08 @ 8:46 PM EST
Hello:
Students are students, they are in the process of learning & cannot give a realistic opinion of what life will bring post-graduation. Those who cannot . (Continued…)
Amazon Herbs
posted 6/01/08 @ 9:15 PM EST
It probably depends on the type of job also. If it is a company like Microsoft looking for programmers, the weight that the title holds might mean more. (Continued…)
veryge
wow gold
posted 8/04/08 @ 3:59 AM EST
You can get it!Come here! Wow gold is waiting for you!!
shanu
posted 9/03/08 @ 12:09 PM EST
Magna Cum Laude means "we are borg" and we only know what the establishment wants us to know, resistance is futile. It's called brainwashing
mp4 player
posted 9/14/08 @ 11:53 PM EST
It's called brainwashing
wowgolds987
posted 9/18/08 @ 10:37 PM EST
World of Warcraft is a fascinating game that it deserved this year for best large-scale online games, and even perhaps the best online games ever.
Get A Ton of Cheapcheapest wow goldin 5 MINS Now! Buy cheapest wow gold - No Other Place than MMOinn
wow gold Coast. (Continued…)
wowgolds987
posted 9/18/08 @ 10:43 PM EST
World of Warcraft is a fascinating game that it deserved this year for best large-scale online games, and even perhaps the best online games ever. Get A Ton of Cheapcheapest wow goldin 5 MINS Now! Buy cheapest wow gold - No Other Place than MMOinn
wow gold Coast. (Continued…)
sohbet
posted 9/22/08 @ 3:54 PM EST
selamlar
sohbet
chat
wowgolds987
posted 10/07/08 @ 4:46 AM EST
World of Warcraft would like to create a myth of immortality? mmoinn.com desire to help you achieve, buy wow gold from mmoinn.com, you will get an unexpected price, there is cheapest wow gold and warhammer gold , also world of warcraft sale in the wow power leveling , Heart of it! As soon as possible to mmoinn. (Continued…)
Post a Comment