Students need to finish their honors thesis defense at least one week before LDOC.
Defense steps:
The committee chair decides how the student present their thesis in front of the committee.
After the defense, the committee asks the student to stay outside the classroom for 5-10 minutes. The committee then discusses whether the student can be merited with distinction and decide the distinction level that will be recommended to the DUS. After reaching an agreement, they ask the student to come back to the classroom and makes a final announcement about the result. If the student is granted with distinction, the committee will also announce the level of distinction recommended to the DUS.
Best thesis award:
Honors committee chairs should write a chair report to the DUS on the same day of their student's defense. The DUS will then rank all honors students' distinction levels the last Saturday before the week of LDOC. If there is a tie for the best thesis winner award, the DUS will ask 3-4 AMES faculty to review the students' theses and give scores. AMES will announce the best award winner in the graduation ceremony, not the honors reception.