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Call for Nominations

Following a formal request from the CSU Chancellor’s Office, President Neufeldt has convened the Honorary Degree Committee to begin the nomination process for our campus. The committee is now inviting nominations from the campus community for individuals who exemplify the values and mission of the CSU and may be considered for this prestigious honor. Each year, the president may forward up to two nominees for consideration for an honorary degree.  

• Michelle Clark (Chair) – Interim Vice President for University Advancement
• Dr. Matthew Escobar – Chair of the Academic Senate
• Dr. Carl Kemnitz – Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dr. Patricia Prado-Olmos – Chief Community Engagement Officer

Honorary Degree Nominations – Submission Guidelines

1. Cover Letter
   • Full name of the nominee
   • Contact information (phone number and email address)
   • A brief narrative (300–400 words) outlining the nominee’s achievements and their connection to ±¬ÁÏÉçÇø
2. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • A current résumé or CV of the nominee
3. Degree Recommendation
   • Please indicate which honorary degree you are nominating the individual for:
     • Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.)
     • Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.)
     • Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
     • Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.)
     • Doctor of Science (Sc.D.)

Criteria for the Awarding of Honorary Degrees

• Honorary degrees may be awarded to recognize achievements in all parts of the world. Honorary degrees awarded should represent an appropriate balance between local and non-local, and academic and non-academic recipients, and degrees should represent a wide diversity of fields of endeavor.
• Service or benefaction to the university do not alone justify the awarding of honorary degrees. However, these criteria do not preclude nominees who are benefactors of the California State University. Personal relationships alone do not justify the awarding of honorary degrees.
• Nominees for honorary degrees must demonstrate high moral character, be distinguished in their respective fields, and the eminence of persons nominated must be widely recognized. Nominees must have demonstrated intellectual and humane values that are consistent with the ideals of the California State University, the aims of higher education, and with the highest ideals of the person's chosen fields.

• To recognize inspirational character, excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas of human endeavor that reflect the objectives and ideals of the California State University.
• To honor meritorious and outstanding service to the California State University collectively or to individual campuses, the State of California, the United States, or to humanity at large.
• To recognize individuals whose lives, conduct, and significant achievements serve as examples of the California State University's aspirations for its diverse student body.
• The honoree must be present at the appropriate California State University function to accept the degree; or in case of the honoree's severe illness, a family member must be present at the appropriate function to accept the degree.
• A family member must agree to accept a posthumous degree at an appropriate California State University function.

Limitations on Eligibility 

• Incumbent members of the Board of Trustees of the California State University;
• The incumbent chancellor of the California State University;
• Incumbent campus presidents of the California State University;
• A person who already has been awarded an honorary degree by the California State University; (a list is available )
• All incumbent elected officials; and
• Honorary degrees shall not be awarded solely on the basis of past or present employment by the California State University.
• Current faculty and staff, as well as members of their immediate family, are ineligible to receive an honorary degree.