Name of Honor: Honorary Degree
Awarded by: The Board of Trustees
Criteria: Honorary degrees awarded by St. Lawrence University signify recognition of exemplary accomplishment consistent with the traditions and values of this liberal arts learning community. Recipients serve as models for our students as they respond to the question posed by the distinguished Laurentian Owen D. Young: "Have you enlarged your knowledge of obligations and your capacity to perform them?" The University should consider the following criteria in the selection of honorary degree candidates.
1. Recognized achievement in scholarship, the arts, business or professional life;
2. Distinguished humanitarian, altruistic, or philanthropic service;
3. Distinctive contributions to a regional, national, or global community
4. Abiding interest in a relationship with St. Lawrence University that furthers the goals and mission of the University.
Eligibility: Because St. Lawrence has programs to honor those formally affiliated with the University, barring exceptional circumstances, current employees and trustees will not be considered for an honorary degree. Further, honorary degrees normally will not be awarded to individuals whose political position, financial resources or celebrity alone bring them to our attention.
Selection process: Nominations are solicited each fall from the campus and alumni communities. An on-campus honors committee reviews nominations based on materials submitted and research developed by campus staff. After the on-campus committee recommends a candidate or candidates, they will be brought to the full trustee Honors Committee via mail, conference call or meeting. If approved by the trustee committee, one of the committee's faculty representatives will present candidates' biographies at the first opportune meeting of the entire faculty for a vote of recommendation. Following this vote, candidates are ready to be considered either by the full Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the Board. Successful candidates would not necessarily be offered honorary degrees in the same year in which they are approved, given the desirability of various kinds of balance among recipients in any given year.
Opportunity for presentation: Chiefly at Commencement
Click on the name of the honoree to read biographical information.
2001
Richard E. Hecklinger '65
Doctor of Letters
Michael E. Hoffman '64
Doctor of Arts
Barbara R. Williams
Doctor of Social Sciences
2000
Alexander String Quartet
Doctor of Music
Tantoo Cardinal
Doctor of Arts
Tracey McNamara '76
Doctor of Science
