Honorary Degree Nomination

We are looking forward to our 99th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, 2018, 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 graduate of Webster), David Robertson (Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra), Lt. Col. Greg Gadson (MA 2001 graduate of Webster), former Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, congresswoman and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne W. Patterson, two-time Tony award-winning Webster alumnus Norbert Leo Butz, and Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Survivor, Koko Tonimoto Kondo.

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 2018 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.