One of the most prestigious honors any university can bestow is an honorary degree, a degree which is conferred honoris causa, that is, for the sake of honor. This degree recognizes an individual’s exceptional achievement or distinction in a field or activity consonant with the mission of the university. Through this major public action, the university is able to acknowledge worthy individuals of national and international acclaim whose accomplishments support the ideals of the university and serve as an example for our students, alumni, and society.

A Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees (Committee) convenes each fall to review nominations, select a slate of candidates for honorary degrees, and recommend a University Commencement speaker. The Committee is appointed by and responsible to the President and supported administratively by the Office of the Secretary of the University. Nominations may be made by the public or any member of the university community.

In fall 2009, the Committee will begin accepting nominations for honorary degrees to be conferred at the University Commencement in May 2011. More information on the nomination process is available below.

• Call for 2011 Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker Nominations
        PDF Format (.pdf)
  
  
• Guidelines on Honorary Degrees and Commencement Speaker
  
  
• Nomination Form
        PDF Format (.pdf)
        Microsoft Word Format (.doc)
  
  
• Members of the Faculty Committee on 2011 Honorary Degrees
  
  
• Past Honorary Degree Recipients
        Listed Alphabetically
        Listed By Year Awarded