NU-Q Graduates Receive Highest Honors
A total of 15 recent graduates from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) have had Latin Honors conferred on them. The honors are conferred to students based on their academic performance over their entire undergraduate career.
“Each student has rightfully earned their Latin honors for continuously demonstrating the highest level of academic excellence, while actively participating in the University’s research and extracurricular programs,” said Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO.
As the class’s highest-ranking student, Amina Niksic was named 2019 valedictorian. Along with two other graduating seniors, Asmaa Benkermi and Oma Seddiq, she graduated summa cum laude. This honor is typically awarded to graduates in the top five percent of their class. Niksic, who speaks three languages, also received the Dean’s Highest Scholastic Honors and earned a certificate in Strategic Communication.
Receiving magna cum laude recognition were Bothayna Talal Al-Mohammadi, Nada Bediar, Noof Al-Subaie, and Noor Own. The magna cum laude is awarded to those in the top 10 percent of their graduating class.
Additionally, eight graduates, Alia Alkhater, AlJawhara Al-Thani, Asmahan Qarjouli, Hissa Al-Hitmi, Sana Ansari, Shaikha Alderbesti, Syed Muhammad Erzum Naqvi, and Younes Mana, were designated as cum laude, graduating in the top 25 percent of their class.
Latin honors are designated at summa, magna and cum laude date back to the 19th century and are commonly used in American universities to recognize students of the highest academic distinction.
All of the students recognized were also active members of the NU-Q community, receiving several media awards for their projects, taking part in service learning trips, and participating in student-run initiatives.
The Class of 2019 is NU-Q’s largest class to date with 68 students representing 17 countries. An accomplished group of students; some of their projects were featured at the Cannes Short Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, Los Angeles Cinefest, and Ajyal Film Festival, among others. Graduates also completed internships at top global media operations and corporations that included Vogue magazine, Al Jazeera Network, and Ogilvy and Mather.
In addition to Latin honors, the class included a number of other achievements. The highest number of minors and certificates were awarded to the graduates, including seven in Middle East studies, seven in media and politics, and two in gender and sexuality studies. Eighteen certificates were awarded in Middle East studies, and 10 were awarded in strategic communication.
