Honorary Degree Nomination Form

Truman State University Board of Governors
Honorary Degree Nomination

The Board of Governors may grant honorary degrees to recognize individuals for outstanding achievement in a field and demonstrated commitment to Truman State University’s mission and values. Any member of the University community may nominate individuals for consideration of an honorary degree. To receive full consideration for the upcoming academic year, all nominations must be made formally through the President’s Office by March 1.

Nomination Forms
A nomination form should be submitted for each honorary degree nominee along with his or her resume or curriculum vitae (a detailed biographical sketch is acceptable if neither a resume nor a curriculum vitae is available):

Previous Recipients of Doctor of Humane Letters:
Marilyn Gibbons, December 14, 2013
Charles J. McClain, May 8, 2010
Mel Carnahan (posthumously), December 19, 2009
John D. Ashcroft, May 9, 2009
Harry S. Truman (posthumously), December 21, 2002

Code of Policies of the Board of Governors
3.070.   Honorary Degrees
1.  Purpose.  The Board of Governors may grant honorary degrees to recognize individuals for outstanding achievement in a field and demonstrated commitment to Truman State University’s mission and values.
2.  Selection Process.
a.  Any member of the University community may nominate individuals for consideration of an honorary degree.  To receive full consideration for the upcoming academic year, all nominations must be made formally through the President’s Office by March 1.
b.  The President screens and prepares a list of nominees for Board consideration.
c.   An Honorary Degrees Committee established by the Board and chaired by a Board member will receive that list of nominees at the April Board meeting.
d.  The Committee may recommend to the Board at the August Board meeting those individuals it believes deserving of an honorary degree.  The Committee may also consider individuals sua sponte without the formality of steps a., b. and c., above.
e.  The Board of Governors makes the final decision on the awarding of honorary degrees.
3.  Honorary Degree Committee.   Composition of the Committee is as follows:
a.  a Board of Governors member, selected by the Chair of the Board, will serve as Chair of the Honorary Degrees committee;
b.  three additional Board members, including the Student Representative on the Board, selected by the Chair of the Board;
c.  two at-large faculty members, selected by the Faculty Senate;
d.  an at-large student, selected by the Student Government;
e.  the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost; and
f.   the Faculty Senate President, ex officio.