Honors Day is coming up on Friday, April 3. Here are five essential facts about this UA tradition.
1. Tapped for honor.
Dating back to the early 1900s, the annual Tapping on the Mound ceremony features a symbolic “tap” on the shoulder or mortarboard, a rite of passage that marks students’ entrance into UA’s most prestigious honor societies.
2. A historical site.
The ceremony takes place on the historical mound where the Franklin Dormitory stood before it was destroyed during the Civil War. Normally fenced off and inaccessible to the public, the Mound’s restricted access highlights the significance of Honors Day, since being invited to step onto the Mound during the tapping ceremony is reserved only for those being formally recognized.
3. University growth. More honors.
As the University has grown, Honors Day has expanded. It now consists of a full week of receptions, award programs and ceremonies to recognize the academic excellence and leadership of students and faculty.
4. Honor societies.
There are only four honor societies that tap on Honors Day. They are the Anderson Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key and Mortar Board.
5. Awards and memberships.
The ceremony also honors other students, faculty and staff through various awards and honorary memberships. Some include the Outstanding Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior, Graduate and Transfer Awards along with Alumni Student Awards, Capstone Men and Women’s Amanda Grace Taylor Watson Distinctive Image Award and The Other Club Award.