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Honorary Degrees Committee Membership Guidelines
The committee, which reports to the Senate, the President, and the Board of Trustees, is charged with developing a slate of candidates representing the highest values and breadth of commitment of the university. The criteria for nomination are extraordinary excellence and character as demonstrated by notable achievement in a field of learning, the arts, the professions, or public service. Nominations should set forth compelling reasons why it would be especially fitting for Emory University to honor nominees. The committee will receive with particular interest nominations of persons directly connected with Emory or the region, although that is not a necessary qualification for serious consideration. Except in extraordinary circumstances, persons who have spent the greater part of their careers as members of the Emory faculty or administration will not be considered. The committee especially encourages nominations of women and members of ethnic minorities. Nominations (consisting of a detailed nominating letter, a curriculum vitae or entry from Who's Who, and a supporting letter) should be sent to the committee in care of the Secretary of the University. Other pertinent materials may also be submitted. As nominations must be approved by the President and the Board of Trustees before an invitation can be extended to receive an honorary degree, nominations should not be discussed with people being nominated, and all deliberations about honorary degrees should be kept confidential. Faculty Membership: Approximately nine individuals representing the various schools of the university. Student Members: Approximately three students will serve on the committee, one undergraduate and two from the graduate and professional schools. Administrative/Ex officio: Ex officio committee members will consist of the Secretary to the University, the Alumni Director, and the President of the University Senate.
Committee Members
(2003-04) At its initial meeting on December 12, 2003, President Wagner shared his thoughts about appropriate candidates for honorary degrees. He emphasized that the degree should honor greatness, the highest achievement in a field and should inspire the university. He noted that there were alternative mechanisms, such as the President’s Medal, for rewarding friends of the university and other achievements. He affirmed that the committee should not fear controversy in recommending worthy candidates. President Wagner anticipated that the format for awarding honorary degrees would continue but that Emory might “drift” into other arrangements for format and program over time. At three subsequent meetings on January 28, February 5 and February 12, 2004, the HD Committee reviewed nominations from the university community. Nominations are kept in an active file for five years and may be renewed. Following its second meeting, a list of finalists was presented on February 11 to the Academic Affairs Committee of the Emory University Board of Trustees. Their reactions were shared with the Committee at its final meeting. The Committee recommended a slate of five candidates for the honorary degree. One candidate was thought to be appropriate for either an honorary degree or a university medal, at the President’s discretion. The slate was then shared and discussed with President Wagner. The five candidates were presented to the University Senate for approval at its February 24 meeting. The Senate unanimously approved four candidates and one was recommended for the President’s Medal by 16 and an Honorary Degree by 8, perhaps because the achievements appeared to be based on a heroic act at a single point in time. Additional research
on the background of the fifth candidate found evidence of sustained contributions
to the area of achievement through organizational participation and innovation.
The Senate then voted again through the internet, reporting on April 7,
2004, a vote recommending the awarding of an honorary degree, 19-2.
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