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Honorary Diploma

INFORMATION

Purpose: To acknowledge and celebrate individuals who are part of the GHS community who are not GHS graduates, but whose extraordinary achievements or support GHS traditions represent the character and spirit of a legendary Red Elephant. 

 

Criteria for Selection of honorees:

  • Candidates for an honorary diploma must be living and able to accept the diploma at GHS’ graduation ceremony.

  • Candidates may have attended but must not have graduated from Gainesville High School,  EE Butler High or Fair Street High.

  • Gainesville City School System faculty, staff or board members will not be eligible for nomination until three years after active service has ended. 

  • Honorees will be clearly aligned with the mission of GHS and will fulfill one or more of the following:

  • An individual who has made a notable contribution of time, talents or resources to GHS.

  • An individual who inspires and encourages current and past GHS Students

  • A community member who achieves state or national prominence 

  • A Member of the Gainesville business, civic, health, education, or philanthropic community that makes a significant contribution to the local community.

  • A non- community member with direct ties to GHS who achieves state or national prominence. 

 

General Guidelines: 

  • The selection committee will be the GHS Governance Council and/ or the honorees from the previous years, depending upon the Councils Needs. 

  • Nominations may be made by any GHS student, Alumni, past or present employee, and past or present members of GCSS School Board or GHS Governance Council.

  • None or up to four honorary diplomas will be conferred in any given year, but the GHS Governance Council.

  • None or up to four Honorary diplomas will be conferred in any given year, but the GHS Governance Council may make exceptions. 

  • Nominees not selected from one year may be considered in future years. 

  • Nomination forms will be available on the schools website.

  • The deadline to receive completed nomination forms is March 1, 2025.

  • The GHS Governing Council will decide and notify Honoree by May 1.

  • The Honoree’s name(s) will be announced prior to Graduation.

  • Honorary Diplomas will be presented annually during the GHS commencement ceremony (May 2025), and the Honoree will wear cap and gown to publicly receive his or her diploma.