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»Honorary Degrees
An honorary degree is a traditional, highly valued recognition in academia, bestowed upon distinguished individuals who have earned noteworthy respect and esteem in the wider world. Chapman University confers honorary doctoral degrees on those individuals whose outstanding contributions and accomplishments exemplify the ideals expressed in the Chapman mission statement. Honorary degree nominations may be put forth by any member of the Chapman community and are conferred during the University Commencement Ceremony.
Under no circumstance should the nominee be informed that their name has been submitted. Nominations are to be kept confidential to avoid potential embarrassment to nominees and the University in the event nominations are not approved.
Candidates may be awarded one of the following honorary degrees:
Doctor of Arts, honoris causa (D.Art), is conferred upon those individuals whose contributions and service distinctively fall within the fine and performing arts communities.
Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa (L.H.D.), is conferred upon those individuals who have provided exemplary service to the community (i.e., civic, business, education and philanthropic), or whose accomplishments are broad in scope and far-reaching. It is the most general of the honorary degrees awarded.
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.), is conferred upon those individuals who have achieved distinction in governance or public service or have achieved preeminence in the field of law.
Doctor of Science, honoris causa (D.Sc.), is conferred upon those individuals whose accomplishments in either academia or the professional world are scientific in nature and/or who have made a significant contribution to scientific endeavors.
Doctor of the University, honoris causa (D.Univ.), is conferred in recognition of excellence and extraordinary achievement in a significant area of human endeavor and/or demonstrated a significant commitment toward the goals or welfare of the University, sacrificial service or altruism to humanitarian causes.
Procedure
Criteria
- Chapman awards honorary degrees to living individuals.
- The individual has distinguished themselves through their accomplishments in or contributions to those areas listed in the five awards above.
- Where appropriate, special emphasis should be placed on individuals whose significant achievements are national or international in scope.
- Individuals who have distinguished themselves through their substantial contributions to the Chapman community may be considered for an honorary degree.
- Nominees must come to Chapman University to receive their degrees. Degrees may be conferred up to three years after approval by the Board of Trustees.
Nomination Process
- Based on accomplishments and contributions, nominator will share potential candidate for honorary degree with the respective Dean.
- Following consultation with the Dean, the nominator will submit an Honorary Degree Nomination form.
- The deadline for nominations is the third Friday in September.
- Human Resources will conduct background research on all nominees.
- Results will be shared with the Faculty Senate President, Academic Committee of the
Board of Trustees (ACBOT) Chair and the Provost.
- These individuals will confer on the merits of the nominees.
- At the Executive Session of the October Faculty Senate meeting, the Faculty Senate
President will present the full list of nominees for a vote.
- The top five nominees are forwarded to the ACBOT for deliberation, alongside the rest of the list.
- Tallies for all nominees will be provided.
- At the Executive Session of the November ACBOT meeting, the Provost will present the
top five nominees for a vote.
- ACBOT may approve additional nominees from the full list, per tally, provided they were supported by a majority of votes cast by the Senate, only in the Doctor of the University, honoris causa (D.Univ.) category.
- The Provost will present the ACBOT approved nominees to the Board of Trustees at the December meeting where they will vote on final honorary degree recipients.
Notification
Approved nominees are contacted by the President of the University to determine acceptance and appearance at the University Commencement Ceremony. Honoraria are not paid to honorary degree recipients.
The Office of Commencement will inform the nominator and respective dean of the following: candidate approval, invitation from the Office of the President and honorary degree acceptance.
Award
- Honorary Degree dinner
- Framed diploma with citation
- University Commencement Ceremony
- Diploma
- Doctoral hood with appropriate velvet color (white for Arts or Humane Letters, gold for Science, purple for Laws, black for Doctor of the University)
- Doctoral regalia to wear for ceremony (if recipient does not own one)
Responsibilities
Nominating Entity
Citation: The nominating academic or administrative unit is required to draft language for the official citation to be awarded to the recipient.
Host: Charged with the responsibility of acting as host to the recipient when they come to the University to accept the degree. Examples listed below.
- Receive recipient at the airport and/or upon arrival to campus.
- Ground transportation between events.
- Hospitality with colleagues and students.
- Arrange master classes or student interactions.
- Escort recipient and their guests to the Honorary Degree Dinner and University Commencement Ceremony.
- Obtain/deliver commemorative gifts and other appropriate actions.
- If recipient is receiving an honorary degree outside of the University Commencement Ceremony, the Commencement Office will provide only regalia rental, hood, and degree awards.
Office of Commencement
- Liaison to honorary degree recipient prior to arrival on campus.
- Expenses associated with campus visit:
- Economy class travel
- Lodging on campus (if available)
- Create and produce degree awards
- Rent/order doctoral regalia/hood
- Honorary degree dinner hosted for all honorees