Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient Nominations
Who would you like to address Rutgers' graduates at commencement? Let us know!
Rutgers accepts commencement speaker and honorary degree nominations for the ceremonies at Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health, Rutgers University–Newark, and Rutgers University–Camden on a rolling basis. Nominations received by the deadline of each year will be reviewed and considered for that year's ceremonies. Because speakers may also be awarded an honorary degree, nominations for commencement speaker should also follow the guidelines for honorary degree candidates. Speaker nominees should be someone who is engaging and interesting with broad appeal to a diverse audience.
One of the most prestigious honors any university can bestow is an honorary degree, a degree that is conferred honoris causa, that is, for the sake of honor. This degree recognizes an individual’s exceptional achievement or distinction in a field or activity consonant with the mission of the university. Through this major public action, the university is able to acknowledge worthy individuals of national and international acclaim whose accomplishments support the ideals of the university and serve as an example for our students, alumni, and society.
The university seeks recommendations of honorary degree and speaker nominees who reflect the cultural diversity and international character of Rutgers. We invite all members of the Rutgers community and the public to nominate candidates for consideration. We keep nominations confidential, and nominees should not be contacted.
How to Submit a Nomination
Nominations for the commencement speaker and honorary degrees to be awarded in the May commencement ceremonies will be accepted throughout the year. More information on the nomination guidelines and process is available below.
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Nomination Considerations
Rutgers University invites nominations from any member of the university community or the public. A committee considers the nominations of individuals to receive honorary degrees and for the commencement speaker. The President presents a final slate of candidates for review by the Board of Governors’ Committee on Academic and Student Affairs, which then makes a final recommendation to the full Board of Governors for their approval. Because speakers may also be awarded an honorary degree, nominations for commencement speaker should also follow the guidelines for honorary degree candidates as detailed below.
Criteria for Awarding an Honorary Degree by Rutgers University
The nominee for an honorary degree from Rutgers University:
- Must evidence outstanding achievement in the humanities, arts, or sciences, or in a profession; in government, public affairs, education, or religion; in industry or commerce; or in an auxiliary field or endeavor.
- Must evidence distinguished service and performance in their accomplishments that support the ideals of Rutgers and serve as an example to our students, our alumni, and society.
- Must evidence in their life a commitment of service to humankind.
Honorary degrees will be bestowed by the President, the Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor, and the Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor at their commencement ceremonies, or by the President, or a designee, at other ceremonies or special events.
Degrees may be awarded in four categories based on the specific criteria listed below:
Doctor of Laws
Distinguished service to state or to nation, to learning or to humankind, coupled with intellectual gifts and moral qualities that entitle the recipient to rank with persons of culture and high principle.Doctor of Letters or Doctor of Fine Arts
Distinguished service to letters, art, music, or education, coupled with intellectual and moral qualities that are widely recognized.Doctor of Science
Distinguished service to science, coupled with personal qualities and a kind of learning that entitles the recipient to recognition by a learned educational body of high standing.Doctor of Humane Letters
Distinguished service of a general nature, coupled with personal qualities and a kind of learning that entitles the recipient to recognition by a learned educational body of high standing.Confidentiality
Nomination information submitted will be kept confidential. Confidentiality at all points in the nominating process is crucial. No discussion concerning nominees should take place outside of those directly involved in the evaluation process. The President, or a designee, is responsible for contacting the candidates once the Board of Governors has approved a slate of candidates.
Exceptions
At Rutgers, honorary degrees are not awarded posthumously, unless the offer has been made and accepted prior to the individual’s death. Also, honorary degrees are not awarded to the following:
- Current faculty or staff
- Current holders of political office, except that an honorary degree shall be awarded to the Governor of the State of New Jersey in the year the Governor takes office
- Current university governing board members, except that an honorary degree shall be awarded to the chair of the Board of Governors at the conclusion of their term as chair of the board
Except in extraordinary circumstances, persons who have spent the greater part of their careers as members of the Rutgers faculty or administration will not be considered. However, persons otherwise associated with the university such as alumni, former governors and trustees, or distinguished visiting faculty will be considered.
Exceptions to these procedures may be made at the discretion of the President and the Board of Governors.
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Nominations will be accepted on an ongoing basis and must be made using the standardized Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Nomination Form. Nominators should include with their nomination form a curriculum vitae (resume), if available, and biographical information and any other supporting materials (please provide actual documentation and not website links). A well-written nomination form is often more persuasive than a lengthy curriculum vitae.
If you have nominated someone in the past and would like that person to be reconsidered, please submit a current nomination for the individual.
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Complete the Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Nomination Form to submit your nomination for consideration.
Past Rutgers University Honorary Degree Recipients
This list of honorary degree recipients is sortable by last name, year conferred, and degree type.
| Name | Year | Degree |
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