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Honorary Degrees
The honorary degree is the highest award conferred by the university. The practice of awarding honorary degrees is a way to highlight and show gratitude to those who have made transformative and lasting impacts through scholarship, the arts, or public service.
Honorary degrees are bestowed by the university president upon approval by the Board of Trustees, and must adhere to the following criteria as outlined in UO policy:
- To an individual or individuals who has/have shown outstanding scholarship or artistic achievement in their lifetime; or,
- To an individual or individuals who has/have performed extraordinary public service or contributions to society in their lifetime.
In addition to the criteria above, it is beneficial for an individual or individuals to have a connection to the University of Oregon, particularly for those who are to be considered for their public service and contribution to society.
Nominations for honorary degrees are reviewed by the Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards Committee and approved by the University Senate, president, and Board of Trustees following the process below. Once a nominee has been confirmed, they are listed as a candidate for conferral and a time is scheduled for them to receive their honorary degree, typically during the university's main commencement ceremony.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome at any point and may be submitted to honorarydegrees@uoregon.edu. They will be reviewed upon receipt.
Submissions must include:
- A completed honorary degree nomination form.
- A summary statement, not to exceed two typed pages, articulating why the nominee meets the criteria set forth in the policy, nominee’s resume, curriculum vitae, or similar document articulating the individual’s professional or personal accomplishments and achievements and additional supporting documents may be provided to the committee for consideration.
Process
The honorary degree program is led by the Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards Committee.
The committee, which convenes as needed when a nomination has been submitted for review, is responsible for the screening, investigation, and recommendation of candidates. The committee makes a recommendation to the University Senate, which in turn makes a recommendation to the university president. The president may then forward up to two nominees each academic year to the Board of Trustees for final consideration.
Committee
The Honorary Degrees and Distinguished Service Awards Committee includes the following positions:
- President of the University of Oregon or their designee (ex officio) who shall convene the committee;
- Chairperson of the Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) or their designee from the FAC;
- President of the University Senate or their designee from among University Senators (ex officio);
- Chairperson of the Graduate Council or their designee from the Graduate Council;
- Chairperson of the Undergraduate Council or their designee from the Undergraduate Council;
- Vice President for University Advancement or their designee;
- President of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) or their designee from the ASUO Executive Team; and
- Four members of the teaching faculty, appointed by the president in consultation with University Senate leadership.
Honorary Degree Recipients
year | Honoree |
|---|---|
2019-20 | James Ivory. Conferred during the 2022 commencement ceremony. |
2018-19 | Philip H. Knight. Conferred during the 2020 virtual commencement ceremony. |
2017-18 | Carrie Mae Weems. Nomination approved. |
2017-18 | Lorry I. Lokey. Conferred during the 2018 commencement ceremony. |
2008 | The UO bestowed honorary degrees to the following individuals who were students in 1942 when Executive Order 9066 ordered their evacuation to internment camps:
|
2001 | |
1999 | |
1996 | |
1994 |
Contact
For more information about the honorary degree program, please email honorarydegrees@uoregon.edu.