Honorary Degrees

One of the greatest distinctions Rhode Island College can award is an honorary degree. Since 1854, the college has conferred nearly 400 honorary degrees, with past honorary degree recipients being both alumni and friends of RIC. At the same time, the college has also invited notable individuals to offer remarks to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates

Inviting You to Nominate

In preparation for this year’s commencement exercises, the Honorary Degree Committee invites members of the college community to submit nominations. These nominations will recommend individuals to receive an honorary degree and/or serve as commencement speaker.

Make a Nomination Today

Nomination Criteria

The work of the nominees should align closely with the mission and vision of the college and represent at least one of these associated characteristics. Honorary degree nominations will be evaluated by these characteristics, reflecting the college’s mission and vision.

Characteristics

Learning Innovation – A college ethos that elevates the teaching and learning enterprise in effective, innovative and extraordinary ways with leading instructional practices.
Student Success – A student collegiate experience that helps students identify their strengths, talents and passions and encourages, supports and challenges them to achieve their goals and receive a college degree.
Inclusive Excellence – A college campus that intentionally designs welcoming and inviting learning experiences for all students, regardless of background, income, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion or politics, for the benefit of the entire college community.
Community Partnerships – Purposeful collaborations with local, state and national partners, both public and private, to provide the highest quality college degree and address critical issues for the broader community.
Institutional Effectiveness – An administration and college community committed to being exceptional stewards of public funding while incorporating evidence-based, high-impact practices.

Evaluation of Nominees

Honorary degree nominations will be evaluated by the specified characteristics and according to this rubric:

Character & Philanthropy – how an individual is regarded through their profession, service and charitable giving.
Professional Excellence – the degree in which one excels at their profession or trade.
Impact – the degree in which an individual positively influenced the college, local, state, region, national and or international community.
Service – to what extent an individual contributed to Rhode Island College or Rhode Island as a whole.

Nomination Deadline

Please submit all honorary degree nominations by January 15, 2025.