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Honorary Degree Nominations

Nominate an Honorary Degree recipient

You can make an impact on the University by nominating someone outstanding for an honorary degree.

The Honorary Degrees Committee wants your recommendations of individuals who possess one or more of the following criteria:

  • Made an outstanding intellectual and/or scholarly contribution in their chosen field of academic eminence; or
  • Provided outstanding service and/or contributions to greater society through non-academic achievements and/or public service; or
  • Made major contributions in areas relevant to the mission of the University and/or to Durham Region/Northumberland County

The Committee encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

How to nominate an honorary degree candidate:

  • Create a one-page PDF document that includes the name of your nominee and their contact information (if you have it)
  • Add your contact information as their nominator
  • Include the reasons they fit with the University’s honorary degree criteria along with appropriate background information such as:

  - basic personal information
  - summary of nominee’s achievements
  - other appropriate supporting documentation

The honorary degree process:

  • Nominations are open all year round and when the Committee announces a call for nominations which will set out a nomination deadline
  • The Committee meets at least once per year at the call of the Chair
  • Meeting(s) are scheduled at such time as best supports the Committee’s work
  • When the Committee meets, it reviews the nominees received and recommends to the President and Vice-Chancellor:

  - a list of names of potential honorary degree recipients and the type of degree appropriate; and
  - the convocation at which the degree should be conferred

  • The President will select recipients from the list and invite them to accept the honorary degree.
  • Whenever possible, names of Honorary Degree recipients should be reported to Academic Council before being announced to the media.

Please note: 

Due to the confidential nature of the proceedings:

  • Nominators will be contacted after nomination consideration only if the candidate is selected to receive an honorary degree.
  • Nominators are to not let their nominee know they have been nominated – only the President will contact the selected candidates.

For more information: