New Paltz recognizes candidate achievements with a variety of cords, sashes and stoles identifying a candidate’s selection to honor societies representing fields of study, professional and service organizations and campus student organizations. Combined, the “cords of distinction” emphasize the diverse nature of the New Paltz student body and proudly reflect the State University of New York’s motto, “To Learn, To Search, To Serve.”

Alpha Kappa Delta
International Sociology Honors Society
This Honors Society was founded with the purpose of promoting scholarship and
fellowship for students.  It is open to students with a 3.0 GPA.  Students wear a teal cord.

Kappa Delta Pi
Green and Violet cords denote the International Honor Society in Education. Members are elected to membership for high academic achievement and commitment to education. The candidates have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Phi Alpha Theta, International History Honor Society
This is open to both undergraduate and graduate students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of at least 3.1 in history. Students wear cords of red and light blue.

Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
The National Honor Society in Psychology awards the gold satin sash embroidered in blue. Undergraduate and graduate students are elected into the society based on their GPA in psychology and an overall cumulative GPA of 3.40.

Sigma Beta Delta, International Honor Society in Business, Management and Administration
This is the highest recognition a business student can receive. The green and gold cord is worn by business students who have fulfilled specific credit requirements and undergraduates who have a cumulative GPA above 3.5 and graduates who have a cumulative GPA above 3.8.

Sigma Theta Tau International
The purple and white cords of Sigma Theta Tau International Nurses Honor Society recognize students for high academic achievement. Bachelor’s students are eligible for membership upon specific credit completion and class standing.

Sojourner Truth Graduate Fellows
The Graduate School’s Sojourner Truth Fellows wear double honor cords of blue and tan, representing the flax flower to honor the most celebrated African American woman evangelist, abolitionist, and feminist of the 19th century, Ulster County’s Sojourner Truth.

Study Abroad
A sash consisting of blue and the flag of their host country designates students who have traveled beyond the borders of New Paltz and the United States to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence as productive members of a global society. Undergraduates and graduate students are required to meet a program-specific GPA and spend either a summer, winter intersession, semester or
academic year abroad.