Ribbons of Excellence
In 1885, the graduating seniors at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà presented a cane in the form of a shepherd’s crook to the officers of the junior class.
Symbolic of leadership and carved with the Latin motto for “No victory without work,” the cane has been handed down every year by the graduating class. Each class has also attached a ribbon to the cane with the names of its graduates listed on the ribbon.
In 2007, the academic community at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà adopted the idea of the ribbons to represent its standards of excellence. From the long-standing tradition of the ribbons attached to the shepherd’s crook at graduation, these new ribbons of excellence have been developed to support the College’s mission statement.
Just as the Latin inscription on the cane suggests, these ribbons of excellence cannot be achieved without hard work:
- Caring for humanity and the world: making socially responsible decisions; providing service to local and global communities; interacting positively with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Learning throughout a lifetime: continuing to ask important questions; pursuing knowledge in each new age; remaining open to new learning experiences.
- Thinking critically: developing critical habits of mind; exploring multiple points of view; raising thoughtful questions, identifying problems and solutions.
- Crossing boundaries and disciplines: developing literacy in multiple fields; personifying the liberal arts experience; making connections across disciplines.
- Developing creativity: engaging in creative arts; developing creative talents and skills; recognizing and employing figurative expression.
The “Academic Freedom Resolution”, approved unanimously by Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà faculty on 9/23/19, embodies our Ribbons of Excellence through a commitment to inquiry, critical thinking, constructive communication, mutual respect, and free expression.
2024 Ribbons of Excellence Program
Conference Overview
In early April each year, the Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà campus and surrounding communities will convene to celebrate the scholarly and creative activities of Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà students. The purpose of this day is to encourage students to engage in the acquisition of new knowledge outside the classroom and to act as a catalyst for student/faculty collaboration. Eligible research and creative projects are those that go beyond typical classroom assignments and will be overseen by an Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà faculty mentor. Students from all disciplines are invited to submit work for presentation at the Ribbons of Excellence Conference.
The ROE conference contact is Thomas Muntean. To access ROE resources, please visit
Presentation Types
Student presenters will select the presentation format that is most appropriate for their project.
Oral Presentations
Oral presentations will be grouped into thematic sessions based on the overall distribution of topics submitted. Students who require audio-visual equipment should indicate this on their submission form.
Poster Presentations
Posters will be attached to bulletin boards that are 3 ft tall and 4 ft wide. Posters will be on display throughout the day, with the student presenters being available at a scheduled time for discussion.
Other Presentations
Works of art in all disciplines are welcome. Demonstrations will be appropriately presented as exhibits, recitals, films, videos or visual presentations. Abstract submissions in this area must be accompanied by a description of the size, media, and a statement of intent.
