Each commencement ceremony, FIU honors select individuals for their extraordinary academic, professional, and personal achievements as they graduate from FIU. The Outstanding Graduate honor is bestowed upon students in good standing who have unique accomplishments that show excellence, perseverance, and impact. These graduates must show unparalleled tenacity, talent, and commitment, as well as exceptional performance in and outside the classroom. By telling the Outstanding Graduates’ stories, we celebrate the collective success of our students and the university.
What makes a student an Outstanding Graduate?
Outstanding Graduates must meet one of these requirements:
- Completed groundbreaking research projects with measurable/confirmed impact that exceeds the standard requirements for their degree
- Have proven entrepreneurial skills that resulted in innovative products, processes, or services; secured a job beyond the general entry level; or created jobs for others
- Won national awards or earned special recognition for their academic work or service contributions
- Embodied global citizenship through engagement that solved real-world problems and helped to improve the quality of life for others
- Have overcome extraordinary personal or physical obstacles to complete their education
Who can nominate graduates for the Real Triumphs recognition at commencement?
FIU faculty, advisors, staff can nominate. This semester, for the first time, students can also nominate themselves or others. A student may receive nominations from multiple employees; however, the number of nominations does not impact the selection process.
Nominations should be succinct and speak to the unique accomplishments of the student.
Who is eligible for the Outstanding Graduate recognition?
FIU students graduating with a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral, Specialist, J.D., M.D. etc.) and who are in good standing. The nominee’s standing with the university will be reviewed upon receipt of a digital signed FERPA release. The submission of a signed FERPA Release form does not guarantee that the student will be selected as an Outstanding.
Students considered to be selected as Outstanding Graduates are also required to sign a Media Release form authorizing the university to use audio, video, and photography for promotional, recruiting, advertising and any commercial or non-commercial use.
Upon verification that the nominee is in good standing, the student is required to attend the college’s commencement ceremony in person.
What are the benefits of being selected as an Outstanding Graduate?
Outstanding Graduates join a select circle of accomplished students who are recognized on the university’s website and social media. One nominee per college will be selected to be invited to a special event hosted by the President. Select Outstanding Graduates may also be featured in videos, press releases, and other print and digital outlets.
There is no monetary award given to Outstanding Graduates.
What is the Outstanding Graduate nomination and selection process?
Each semester, the Commencement Committee issues a call for Outstanding Graduates nominations to all FIU faculty, staff, and students. Nominations must be submitted online by the deadline stated in the call for nominations.
A committee of university representatives will select nominees, who must complete and submit the FERPA release and Media Release forms promptly. Then, the nominees’ student records will be reviewed to confirm that they are in good standing. Once validated, the nominations are submitted to the Provost and the President for final approval.
Those students selected as Outstanding Graduates, as well as their nominator(s), will be notified via email.
Fall commencement is scheduled for December 10-14. Check the FIU Commencement website homepage for information about the ceremony.