Valedictorian and Salutatorian Selection Process

 

The Valedictorian is the academic title awarded to the highest-ranking graduating student based on the highest GPA and total earned institutional credits. The Salutatorian is awarded to the second-highest ranking student.

Selection Criteria:
One Valedictorian and one Salutatorian will be selected each academic year. The selection is hierarchical and follows this order of consideration:

  1. Grade Point Average (GPA)
  2. FIT Earned Credit Hours

Eligibility:
Eligibility for Valedictorian or Salutatorian honors is based on graduation applications submitted by the deadline published by the Office of the Registrar, as listed in the official academic calendar. Only students who apply for graduation by the published deadline will be considered.

Additional Considerations:

  • To ensure representation across degree types, the Valedictorian may be selected from bachelor’s degree candidates, while the Salutatorian may be selected from AAS degree candidates.

  • The titles of Valedictorian and Salutatorian will be officially noted on the student’s academic transcript, regardless of whether the student participates in commencement or delivers a speech.

  • This selection process and criteria will be made publicly available on the Registrar’s website to ensure transparency.

  • If the Valedictorian declines the opportunity to speak at commencement, the Salutatorian will be invited to speak. If both decline, another student speaker will be selected, but the honors will still appear on their transcripts.

Tie-Breaker Protocol:

    • In the event of a tie, the selection committee will evaluate whether any of the tied students have completed more rigorous coursework (e.g., Presidential Scholars or Honors courses).

    • If the tie cannot be resolved through this method, co-Valedictorians or co-Salutatorians will be designated.