Normally, degrees are conferred honoris causa, “for the sake of honor”. At Kalamazoo College, honorary degrees are awarded for the purpose of formally recognizing and honoring men and women of distinction whose lives and achievements, character, creativity and contributions to humanity have served the spirit of the College’s mission. We invite nominations of individuals from members of our campus community for consideration for the bestowal of an honorary degree from the fields of education, philanthropy, religion, social science, creative and performing arts, literature and humanities, science, business and public service.

“The mission of Kalamazoo College is to prepare its graduates to better understand, live successfully within, and provide enlightened leadership to a richly diverse and increasingly complex world.”

While the criteria for eligibility remain highly flexible, active trustees and faculty are excluded from consideration, and the honorary degree will normally not be given in absentia. In most cases two honorary degrees are conferred annually, at Commencement or other special convocations.

The process of nomination to conferral is as follows:

1. Normally, nominations should be made to the Provost's Office about eight months in advance of when an honorary degree is conferred, usually at the June Commencement.
   Nominations must include:

   * The Honorary Degree Nomination Form, available by download here.
   * A description of the individual’s achievements and attributes and how this person relates to the College’s mission.
   * A Vitae or Resume obtained from the web or some other source. The nominee must not be contacted.
   * Other supporting letters or materials

2. An honorary Degree Committee will review nominations received and forward materials from worthy nominees to the President.


3. If approved by the President, the nominations will be brought to the faculty for discussion and a vote of the faculty.
   
   
4. If approved by the faculty, the nominations will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for approval. If the Board of Trustees approves, the nomination will go back to the President for communication with the Honorary Degree recipients.

Kalamazoo College
has been awarding honorary degrees since 1868. 

	Dr. Grace Lee Boggs L.H.D 2007
	Ms. Ann Patchett Litt.D. 2007
	Dr. Ha Jin Litt.D. 2007
	Mr. Dale Chihuly D.F.A. 2006
	Dr. William H. Gass L.H.D. 2005
	Mr. Richard Ford L.H.D. 2004

see the full list