Honorary Degree Criteria

Every year, 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ awards Honorary Degrees to individuals who have distinguished themselves through professional, scholarly, or artistic achievements or through notable contributions to the College or the wider community. Past recipients have included a choreographer, a U.S. Senator, a photographer, a National Geographic millennium explorer, and a banjo-playing international relations advocate, ranging in age from 34 to 94 years.

Honorary degrees are awarded twice a year: at Opening Convocation and Commencement. Opening Convocation Honorary Degree recipients are 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ alumni who in their careers and achievements exemplify the imaginative and resourceful use of their liberal arts education. Commencement Honorary Degree recipients must have demonstrated excellence in their fields and be representatives of 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­'s values and vision, and need not necessarily be 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ alumni.

The criteria for honorary degrees, approved by the 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Faculty, are as follows:

Commencement Honorary Degree – Open to 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Alumni and non-91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Alumni

Nomination Deadline: Last Day of Block 4

  • Individuals, alumni or not, who have distinguished themselves through professional, scholarly, or artistic achievements or through notable contributions to the College or larger community.
Opening Convocation Honorary Degree – Must be 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Alumni

Nomination Deadline: Last Day of Block 7

  • 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ alumni who exemplify the successful application of their liberal arts education at 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­, who have demonstrated excellence in their fields, and who are role models for 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ students.
  • Successful nominations will provide a justification that the nominee is pursuing a course of excellence, innovation or commitment that may lead to notable achievements.
  • The distinguished recipients of Alumni Honorary Degrees ordinarily are in mid-career, not at the end of their working lives.

Do you know someone whose work should be recognized with a 91Âé¶¹Ó³»­ Honorary Degree? If so, please !

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