Dear Colleagues,

As chair of the campus nominating committee for the awarding of honorary degrees, I invite your nominations for honorary degrees to be conferred either at the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies or at another appropriate time. Nominations are due to the committee by Friday, October 27, 2023.

CSU campuses have awarded honorary degrees to distinguished individuals who have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit CSU campuses; the state, nation, and/or world; and/or humanity. Recipients serve as examples to be recognized and honored for their exemplary contributions. See the list of Honorary Degrees Presented by Cal Poly Humboldt. 

More information about the selection of recipients of honorary degrees may be found in The California State University Board of Trustees Policy for Awarding Honorary Degrees and the Cal Poly Humboldt Policy related to honorary degrees. Please note that the process is confidential, and nominators may not contact a prospective nominee to discuss a possible nomination. 

Nominations need to include: the full name of the nominee, two nomination letters, a brief summary of reasons the degree is deserved, a curriculum vitae or comparable biographical information, and a brief description of the relationship, if any, the nominee has with Cal Poly Humboldt. Also, note that sometimes honorary degrees are confused with posthumous degrees. To understand what a posthumous degree is please click here.

The timeline for the process this year is as follows: 

• October 27 – Nominations for honorary degrees are due to the campus committee. Please email nominations and supporting documents to the Provost’s Office using the following email address: OAAVP@humboldt.edu 
• Mid-November - Confidential recommendations from the nominating committee are due to President Jackson.
• Early December – Confidential recommendations from President Jackson are due to the CSU Office of the Chancellor.
• February 2024 – President Jackson informs the recipient(s) of the award and invites them to participate in Commencement or an appropriate event.

Thank you and please let me know if you have any questions.

Jenn Capps
Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs