The University of Michigan community is being asked to nominate individuals who have contributed to their field or society to be considered for honorary degrees.
“Our honorary degree recipients are individuals of outstanding talents and gifts, who have served, led and made invaluable contributions to our society,” said President Santa J. Ono.
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Nominees may be individuals who have advanced their field of endeavor in significant ways, or who have made compelling contributions to society.
The committee typically meets once in the fall and once in the spring to consider nominations. Although nominations can be submitted at any time, the nominating deadline for candidates to be considered for 2025 Spring Commencement is 5 p.m. Sept. 30.
The committee, chaired by Rackham Graduate School Dean Michael J. Solomon, includes faculty members from the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses, students and alumni, all of whom are appointed by the Board of Regents on the recommendation of the president.
“Our faculty, students, staff and alumni are ideally suited to bring forward honorary degree nominations because of their deep connections to our university and its mission,” Solomon said. “I invite all members of our community to consider nominating individuals who exemplify with distinction the aspirations of our institution.”
U-M commencement speakers are typically drawn from the pool of those approved for honorary degrees.
Past U-M honorary degree recipients include musician Wynton Marsalis, President Barack Obama, author Brad Meltzer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta, U.S. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, journalist Christiane Amanpour, artist Michele Oka Doner, poet Rita Dove and economist Robert J. Shiller.
