The University of Illinois began the tradition of inscribing the Bronze Tablets with the names of students receiving University Honors in 1925. A new tablet is hung in the Main Library each year. The Bronze Tablet serves as recognition of sustained academic achievement and is exclusively reserved for the top 3% of each college’s graduating class.

All graduates from an academic year (August, December, and May) are considered for Bronze Tablet.  This distinction is determined in the Spring semester each year and recipients are notified in April.