Guidelines for Nominations for Honorary Degrees

Nominations for Honorary Degrees

The Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees is in the continuing process of developing a list of outstanding nominees to receive honorary degrees. The award of an honorary degree is a chance to bring attention to deserving individuals. Nominees should meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Distinguished graduate of MSU (any field)
• Distinguished scientist, humanist, scholar of the arts, or distinguished member of one of the professions (law, medicine, etc )
• Distinguished person in public life or business

It has been the practice not to nominate members of our own faculty. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Information should be as complete as possible so that the committee will be able to arrive at a decision based on the material submitted. Each nomination must include the following documentation:    

1. Honorary Degree Nomination Form. Form available here in PFD format. Note: The form now requires a dean’s signature.
2. Nomination Statement (two-three pages) explaining why the nominee should be considered for an honorary degree from MSU.
3. Supporting Letters (at least two) from qualified recommenders who are familiar with the professional accomplishments and achievements of the nominee.
4. Resume or Vita
5. Other supporting materials as deemed necessary by the nominator. 

Incomplete nominations cannot be reviewed by the committee. The original and 15 copies of the complete nomination packet must be submitted. Care should be taken so that candidates are not aware of their nomination.

Nominees do not need to have a connection with MSU but should exemplify the values inherent in MSU's mission and articulated in documents like the Boldness by Design initiatives.

Invitations to nominees are issued only by the president of Michigan State University. In addition, the president retains the option of designating speakers for the commencement ceremonies to receive honorary degrees.

Completed nominations should be coordinated through the dean's office of each college and forwarded to the Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees, c/o the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, 232 Administration Building. Nominations may be submitted by individual faculty (active or retired), a group of individuals with at least one MSU faculty member, or an academic unit at any time. The committee typically meets near the beginning of fall and spring semesters.

Newsletter article about honorary degree nominations, Winter 2007