The University of Iowa Honorary Degree Selection Committee is seeking nominations for the 2016–17 awards. Degrees may be conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary achievements in areas such as research, scholarship, education, artistic creation, social activism, human rights, innovation or invention beneficial to society, and humanitarian outreach.

Notable recipients of past honorary degrees include William “Bill” Bryson (2016), Tom Brokaw (2010), and Earl Warren (1962).

Nominations may come from colleges or from individual faculty members. If any other person (alumnus or donor, for example) wishes to make a nomination, they must work with the appropriate college or an individual faculty member on the submission. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Aug. 12.

Committee recommendations must be approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. 

Current employees of the university and individuals holding elected government office are not eligible to receive honorary degrees, but honorary degrees may be awarded to former employees and former elected officials who meet the criteria. Philanthropy cannot be the sole or main criterion for awarding an honorary degree, but may be taken into account as a factor to be considered by the Honorary Degree Committee.

The committee is interested in receiving a diverse pool of nominees.  

For more details, see www.uiowa.edu/honorarydegrees or contact Evalyn at 319-335-0142.