with the greatest praise: a phrase signifying above-average academic standing at the time of graduation from a college or university: the highest of three categories
See summa cum laude in American Heritage Dictionary 4
sum·ma cum lau·de
adverb & adj.
With the greatest honor. Used to express the highest academic distinction: graduated summa cum laude; a summa cum laude graduate.
Origin: Latin summā cum laude, with highest praise : summā, feminine ablative of summus, highest + cum, with + laude, ablative of laus, praise.