aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

Nominations open for honorary degrees at Western

Nominations are now open for Western Washington University students, faculty, staff and advisory board members to recommend candidates to receive honorary degrees at upcoming commencement exercises. Nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Faculty Senate Executive Council, which will make recommendations to the president and the Board of Trustees in time for the invitation of approved nominees.  (Please see the university's policy and procedure for awarding honorary degrees for further details.)

Western has been given authority by the Washington State Legislature to grant honorary doctoral degrees in recognition of outstanding achievement in arts, letters, sciences, or the professions, or service in education, government or humanitarian endeavors.  Western's honorary degrees are intended to honor not only extraordinary accomplishments, but those which resonate with Western's distinctive excellence and values.

Jane Lubchenco, chief administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a celebrated marine scientist, received Western's first honorary doctorate degree at fall commencement Saturday, Dec. 10.

This online form will guide you through the nomination process, allowing you to state how and why your nominee meets the criteria for consideration.  Please keep in mind that the quality of the supporting materials submitted is extremely important, since the review committee may not be familiar with the breadth and significance of the nominee's accomplishments.

For more information, contact Paul Dunn, senior executive assistant to the president, at Paul.Dunn@wwu.edu or (360) 350-3472.