Honorary Degree Nomination

We are looking forward to our 101st commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2020, at the Muny in Forest Park.

An important part of commencement is the awarding of an honorary degree to a recipient who will be our commencement speaker. As in the past, we are seeking suggestions for honorary degree recipients.

The honorary doctorate degree recognizes accomplishments of individuals, including alumni, as well as those who may not have had any previous association with the University.

Past recipients include former President George H. W. Bush, Simon Wiesenthal, Bob Costas, Patricia McKissack (MA, 1975), Lt. Col. Greg Gadson (MA, 2001), congresswoman and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne W. Patterson, two-time Tony award-winning Webster alum Norbert Leo Butz (BFA Theatre Arts, 1990), Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor Koko Tonimoto Kondo, St. Louis-born actress, singer, community activist, and Webster University alumna (BA Theatre Arts, 1979) Jenifer Lewis, Jim Weddle, managing partner of Edward Jones Investments, and Gen. Paul Selva, 10th Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and second highest ranking officer in the United States Military, Mr. Michael P. McMillan, President and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and Webster alum Katy Sullivan (BFA Theatre Arts, 2002), award-winning television and stage actress, producer, and writer, as well as a four-time U.S. champion Paralympic runner.

The Honorary Degree Committee is currently seeking nominations in the following three areas:

Individuals who have built cross-cultural connections
Individuals in this category will have distinguished themselves by building cross-cultural understanding, acceptance, and knowledge in one or more areas, including the arts, social sciences, humanities, communications, education, and business.

Individuals who are leaders in sustainability
Individuals in this area will have distinguished themselves through leadership in sustainability in its broadest sense–namely, using the earth’s resources in ways that are environmentally, socially, and economically responsible.

Individuals who have pioneered innovative uses of technology
Individuals in this category will have distinguished themselves through innovative uses of technology to produce positive and dramatic benefits locally, regionally or globally.

To nominate the 2020 honorary degree recipient, simply use the electronic form and provide the name(s) of your nominee(s) and the reason you believe the individual(s) merit an honorary degree from Webster University.