Pinnacle & Spire

OUR WORK

Pinnacle Honor Society (4-year degree program) and Spire Honor Society (2-year degree program) both honor nontraditional students for their outstanding academic achievement, at colleges and universities across the country.

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Pinnacle and Spire Honor Societies recognize nontraditional students for their achievements and support their academic and professional success. We understand the multiple roles and challenges that nontraditional students face when they return to college because we are nontraditional students. Whether you are a single parent, veteran, displaced worker, deployed military, or meet any of the other characteristics of a nontraditional student, we know that it can be difficult to balance work, a career, college, raising a family, caring for aging parents, along with all of the other things that you must do. Your decision to return to college was one of the most important decisions in your life, and you should be very proud of your success. We are proud of you and know that you have and will continue to do great things!

Today, over 70% of students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country fall into the category of being nontraditional. Of that 70%, many will not complete their degree program, much less complete it with honors! This is quite an accomplishment and one that we hope you will value throughout your personal and professional life. We also hope that you will encourage others to follow your same path and set an example for others. Congratulations on your success!

Standards of Membership

I. All students selected for induction in PINNACLE and/or SPIRE must meet the following criteria:

   A) Qualify as adult or non-traditional students under locally-derived and maintained definitions;
   B) PINNACLE students: preferably have senior status, although exceptional juniors may be selected for         

       membership, and graduate students may be selected for membership in the Graduate Division; SPIRE

       students: must be within 12 months of graduation;
   C) Pinnacle students should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (3.0 with exceptional 

       circumstances), not necessarily including hours taken as a student of traditional age (3.4 GPA for graduate students);       

       Spire students should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 
   D) *Have been involved in at least three (3) campus and/or community activities; (see exemption below)
   E) Demonstrate leadership, persistence, and future promise;
   F) Maintain the highest ethical standards.

*Standards of Membership Section I (D) Exemption:

Although we hold our honor societies and members to a high standard, we also recognize the need to be understanding and flexible during these unprecedented times. As of August 2020 and until such a time when colleges/universities have returned to normal operations, an exemption of the Standards of Membership, Section I (D), which states, Have been involved in at least three (3) campus and/or community activities, has been established in order for students who are presently unable to commit to volunteering their time and actively participating in campus organizations and events, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, to be able to still be recognized for their hard work and educational achievement. We ask that you use your own discretion when considering this exemption, perhaps considering prior volunteer work or involvement in campus-related activities, and/or any other demonstrations of leadership or persistence.

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II. Students must be selected for membership using any inherently fair selection method.

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III. No more than twenty percent (20%) of the non-traditional student population on the campus can hold

     membership in PINNACLE and/or SPIRE.

IV. Induction of new members can take place no more frequently than twice per year.

V. If a campus chooses to create a local chapter of PINNACLE and/or SPIRE, the chapter must be a registered or   

    recognized campus organization and must meet all local standards for such registration or recognition.

I'm a single mother, administrative assistant, first-generation college student, and a proud, Pinnacle honors graduate.