HONORARY DEGREES 

Honorary degrees have been one of the highest honors conferred by universities dating back to the 15th century. They are a way for universities to demonstrate to the community what their values are and what is important to them.

Honorary degrees are a means to recognize experts in indigenous knowledge and/or distinguished individuals who made significant contributions to the University and knowledge of the community over an extended period of time or lifetime achievements in their field, or whose outstanding personal or professional endeavors complement the University’s role and mission over an the longer term, or lifetime achievements.

Candidates must be viewed by the university community as unique, recognizable figures whose public recognition brings honor on the University. Successful candidates are deemed to embody the values and culture our University is looking to foster and uphold and show a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements. 

A list of all Honorary Degree awardees, since May 1966, is found here (link).

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The University of Guam Board of Regents is accepting nominations for honorary degree candidates as per these packet submission deadlines.

Nomination deadlines

• 5pm ChST, Thursday March 21, 2024, for consideration for Fanuchanan (Fall) December, 2024 conferral.
• 5pm ChST, Friday, November 8, 2024, for consideration for Fanomnakan (Spring) May, 2025 conferral.

 

• 5pm ChST, Friday, March 7, 2025, for consideration for Fanuchanan (Fall) December, 2025 conferral.
• 5pm ChST, Friday, November 7, 2025, for consideration for Fanomnakan (Spring) May, 2026 conferral.

Submissions made after these deadlines will be returned without action.

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Types of Honorary Degrees

The UOG Honorary Degree Program has the following degrees which candidates may be recommended:

• Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D. (h.c.))

Awarded for outstanding scholarly achievement in law or for exceptional service to the University or the community at large.  Shows a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements.

• Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa (D.H.L. (h.c.))

Awarded for outstanding achievement in the humanities, social sciences, or in the performing arts, of a scholarly or creative nature.  Shows a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements.

• Doctor of Business Management, honoris causa (D.BM. (h.c.))

Awarded for outstanding achievement in business or for exceptional service to the University or the community at large.  Shows a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements.

• Master of Micronesian Traditional Knowledge

Awarded to an indigenous expert in a field of traditional knowledge.  Shows a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements.

Note: Honorary Degree of Master[s] of Micronesian Traditional Knowledge will be made during Fañomnåkan Commencement exercises effective Fañomnåkan 2010. No more than one (1) such award may be made per year (Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution 10-16).

• Bachelor of Community Services honoris causa (B.CS (h.c.))

Awarded for exceptional service to the University or the community at large.  Shows a high order of significant or lasting achievements or contributions over time or over a lifetime of achievements.

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Honorary Degree Nomination Criteria

Who can make a nomination?

• Current or former UOG employees
• Current UOG students
• Graduates (alumni) of UOG
• Current and former Board of Regents members

Honorary degree candidates may include:

1. Prominent alumni
2. Successful business leaders
3. Distinguished professional persons
4. Statesmen and civic leaders
5. Prominent educators
6. Distinguished persons in the arts, sciences, and humanities
7. Commencement speakers who may belong to one of the above categories

Honorary degree candidates do not include:

1. Present members of the Board of Regents
2. Members of the faculty or administration
3. Persons who are unable to accept the award personally
4. Large donors whose only contribution to UOG and other causes are financial

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In considering a person for recommendation (nomination), in the packet you will be asked to provide information to these five (5) required questions:

1. Explain/detail up to five (5) ways the candidate shows a high order of achievement, including significant or lasting contributions to a profession and/or discipline, over an extended period of time, or life-time achievements.
2. Describe the candidate's outstanding intellectual, creative, or leadership capabilities.
3. Describe the candidate's reputation, character, and dedication.
4. Describe how the candidate has made a difference with a significant or long-lasting contribution to the betterment of our island, region, or nation over an extended period of time, or a lifetime.
5. Describe how the candidate has overcome serious obstacles in attaining a significant record of achievement.

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Nomination package parts:

Please review and in some cases, submit, the following package parts to the email below.

NOTE: Incomplete packages will be returned without further action.

1. General submittal instructions (PDF)
2. Application form (Word - to be submitted, to the email below, along with #3, once signed by submitter)
3. Make sure there is a current CV/Resume supplied with the signed Application form (to be submitted).

Email completed nomination package to: uog-honorary-degree@triton.uog.edu

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References:

• Relative to Awarding the Honorary Degree of Masters of Micronesian Traditional Knowledge (BOR Res 10-16, May 20, 2010).
• Honorary Degree Criteria (Vice President, Administration and Finance, Oct 12, 2001)