Honorary Degree

The awarding of honorary degrees at East Stroudsburg University will be consistent with the regulations of the State Board of Education (22Pa.Code§§31.61, 31.62, and 31.63) and the policies established by the Board of Governors (PA State System Board of Governors Policy 1984-12-A).

East Stroudsburg University is privileged to award honorary degrees to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare and well-being of the community at large. To that end, the recipient shall exemplify the quality of the character and accomplishment representative of the high ideals and values of East Stroudsburg University as reflected (or evidenced) through distinguished service.

Normally, no more than two degrees may be awarded in any calendar year. Honorary degrees are normally conferred at the Spring Commencement Ceremony. No honorary degree shall be conferred unless the recipient is present. Honorary degrees are not awarded posthumously, unless the offer has been made and accepted prior to the individual’s death.

Criteria for Awarding Honorary Degree

The honorary degree is an academic degree conferred to honor the recipient for distinguished service or individual accomplishment, inside and outside the academy, in scientific, social sciences, humanities, artistic, business, judicial, public, or other appropriate sphere

Honorary degrees may not be awarded to currently serving council of trustees members, administrators or faculty members except in extraordinary cases meriting special consideration. Nor should honorary degrees be awarded to former trustees, administrators or faculty members until they have been separated from the university for at least one year. Exceptions to these criteria may be made at the discretion of the President and the Council of Trustees.

Revocation of Honorary Degrees

Honorary Degrees represent a public association between the University and the recipient. The University reserves the right to withdraw or revoke an honorary degree in the event that the recipient, through behavior or actions, brings the University into disrepute or whose behaviors or actions are contrary to the values and ideals of the University.

Proposals for the revocation of the award of and honorary degree should include supporting documentation and be submitted to the University’s Honorary Degree committee. The Committee will review the materials, prepare a report and make a recommendation to the President who in turn will forward it to the Council of Trustees for final approval.

The University may revoke the Honorary Degree after consideration of documented evidence that the individual has engaged in activities that are incompatible with the honor.

Reason For Policy

East Stroudsburg University is privileged to award honorary degrees to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the welfare and well-being of the community at large.

The recipient shall exemplify the quality of character and accomplishment representative of the high ideals and values of East Stroudsburg University.

Appeal Statement

N/A

Definitions

Honorary degree: an academic degree for which the university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residency, study, and the passing of examinations, to honor the distinguished service or notable accomplishments of the recipient. The degree is typically a doctorate, or less commonly, a master's degree. Honorary degree designations are limited to degrees not given in course as earned degrees by any institution of post-secondary education authorized by the Commonwealth to grant such degrees, and may include not are not limited to the following:

Litt.D. Doctor of Letters (litterarum doctor, honoris causa)
L.H.D. Doctor of Humane Letters (litterarum humanarum doctor, honoris causa)
LL.D. Doctor of Laws (legum doctor, honoris causa)
Sc.D. Doctor of Science (scientia doctor, honoris causa)
D.P.S. Doctor of Public Service (doctor beneficiorum publicorum, honoris causa)
Ped.D. Doctor of Pedagogy (doctor institutionis, honoris causa)

Other Relevant Information

Honorary Degree Procedures