NOMINATIONS FOR HONORARY DEGREES
An honorary degree award is conferred as a way of honoring a distinguished individual’s contributions to a specific field or to society in general. This award recognizes exemplary, extraordinary, and distinguished contributions to knowledge and creativity in a specific field, or sustained activity of uncommon merit. The awarding of an honorary degree forges a relationship between Illinois and the recipient, publicly recognizing the accomplishments of an outstanding individual and strengthening public recognition of Illinois’ mission and values through the association.
CRITERIA
Honorary degree award candidates should have demonstrated in their life and in their work high standards of excellence as evidenced by one or more of the following (non-exhaustive list).
- Scholarship or creative activity
- Documented achievement in research or creative activities.
- Major breakthroughs in knowledge in the field of scholarly work.
- The development of new frontiers of creativity.
- Professional development and achievement
- Innovative distinction on the world, nation, state, or community.
- Public service to the world, nation, state, or community
- Sustained record of service to the public that has positively affected society within government, other public institutions, or private agencies.
- Excellence in any calling or occupation which visibly contributed to the development of society and serves as model for present and future generations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Nominations must be:
- In recognition of extraordinary achievements over an entire career.
- In recognition of an individual that is living at the start of the nomination process and can attend and participate in person in ceremonies or events associated with commencement activities.
- Supported by an academic unit and/or college most closely related in discipline or interests to the candidate. Nominations from external individuals must solicit support by an academic unit and/or college before submitting nomination documents.
Nominations must not be:
- For a single achievement.
- Soley in recognition of philanthropy or the main criterion for recognition. Nominations where philanthropy or the possibility of future endowments are the main focus will not be considered.
- Current or recent employees or students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Illinois System, or members of the Board of Trustees.
- Elected or appointed officials of the State of Illinois and its subordinate units or members of the Legislature during their terms of office.
- Deceased individuals (awards are not conferred posthumously) or individuals unable to participate in commencement activities.
- Individuals nominating themselves.
NOMINATION PROCEDURES
For full consideration by the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees, the nominator and/or nominating unit should submit the following information.
- A brief letter of nomination, summarizing the candidate's qualifications for this honor, and certifying the support of the appropriate academic unit. Support from multiple units is encouraged.
- A brief curriculum vitae of the nominee, including addresses, telephone numbers, or other means by which the nominee can be reached. If the nomination finds substantial initial support in the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees, additional information may be requested from the unit to develop the case and to provide the Senate with the materials needed for the final decision.
- The names and email addresses of at least four professionally distinguished individuals who could be contacted for letters of support or further information about the candidate. For the benefit of the committee, brief biographies of the potential support letter writers, indicating their qualifications and expertise, should be included.
- Nominators should not communicate directly with potential support letter writers or their intention to propose the nominee for an honorary degree award but may inform the letter writers that they may be asked for a letter of support, provided the specific nature of that request is kept confidential. In certain cases, such advance notice may be helpful in ensuring a prompt and timely response to the committee's eventual request.
- Care should be taken so that candidates are not aware of their nomination.
- Nomination Form (Word document)
Completed packets should be submitted:
Electronically via PDF to:
Franci Miller familler@illinois.edu
In hard copy form to:
Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees
228 English Building | M/C 461
608 South Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801