Nomination Criteria

The Honorary Degree Committee seeks to identify, for consideration by the President, distinguished individuals who are deserving of recognition as honorary degree recipients. Nominations may be made by trustees, faculty, and staff. Academics should comprise the majority of honorary degree recipients. The nomination process should be kept confidential.

The nomination should include:

  1. A letter of nomination describing the individual and their outstanding contributions.
  2. A curriculum vitae should be supplied for academics, a biography for all others.

Candidates can be nominated prior to the year in which the honorary degree is received. Honorary degrees ordinarily will not be granted to any current University Trustee or to any faculty or staff member employed on a full-time basis at the University.

The selection of honorary degree recipients shall be guided by the following principles:

  1. The award of a Boston University honorary degree represents a public and tangible statement of the University’s commitment to excellence. The award of an honorary degree must be consistent with the University’s mission and values.
  2. Recipients are individuals who have distinguished themselves by making exceptional contributions in scholarship, scientific discovery, the arts, public service, and/or humanitarian leadership, or demonstrated outstanding service to the University.
  3. Recipients should have made significant contributions to the betterment of society and the world.
  4. Recipients should reflect the diversity of the University, the United States, and the international community.
  5. Recipients should be individuals whose character reflects the integrity and virtues that the University values and esteems in members of its community. They should be worthy exemplars for the University’s graduates and inspirational to the University community.