Departmental distinction

Graduation with distinction may be earned by completion of any one of the following three options:

  • GPA in departmental courses of 3.75.
  • GPA in departmental courses of 3.50, and successful completion of a senior honors thesis (RUSS 493). See a departmental adviser to work out details, preferably two semesters before graduation.
  • GPA in departmental courses of 3.50, plus successful completion of academic study trip to the former Soviet Union, documented by graded transcript.

Dobro Slovo honor society

Students who have excelled (a GPA of 3.5 or better) in Russian or Slavic studies are invited to apply to the national Slavic honor society, Dobro Slovo (“The Laudable Discourse”). Admittees are lifetime members.

Yaro Skalnik essay prize

Every year, the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center invites submissions for the Yaro Skalnik Prize for the best undergraduate and graduate essays in Russian, East European, or Eurasian studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana–Champaign. The essay can be in any discipline as long as it deals with a relevant region, and must have been written for a course during the academic year. Sign up for the REEEC listserv to get their announcements.