Honorary Degree Process and Criteria
The George Washington University awards honorary degrees to recognize individuals whose achievements reflect the university's values and to inspire our graduates at Commencement. By honoring leaders across fields—including scholarship, public service, the arts, and industry—GW affirms its commitment to excellence, impact, and serving the public good. In doing so, the university both celebrates these individuals and reinforces its aspirations for its own community. Learn more about the 2026 honorary degree recipients.
Past Honorary Degree Recipients
Criteria
Three criteria are used for selecting honorary degree recipients. Nominees should distinguish themselves in at least two of these three categories:
- Distinguished professional, scholarly, intellectual, athletic, or creative achievement
- Demonstrated interest in activities outside the chosen profession that contribute to the public good, including service activities and/or philanthropy
- A clear connection to the George Washington University
Process
Nominations are accepted year-round from students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, friends of the university, and members of the public. However, to be considered for a specific Commencement ceremony, nominations must be submitted by the end of September of the academic year during which Commencement will take place.
On a regular basis, a select group of nominees will be advanced to the Faculty Senate Committee on Honors and Academic Convocations for further consideration and recommendation. Approved nominations will subsequently be presented to the GW Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs and then forwarded to the full GW Board of Trustees for final approval.
Working from the Board-approved list of candidates, university leadership will identify a group of honorary degree recipients for each Commencement ceremony. It should be noted that:
- the Board of Trustees has the final and only vote on whether a nominee is approved to receive an honorary degree;
- approval by the Board of Trustees does not guarantee that an honorary degree will be awarded in a particular year; and
- the university does not confer honorary degrees in absentia.
Additional FAQs are provided below.
Nomination Form
To submit a nomination, please complete this form as thoroughly as possible. Detailed responses and supporting documentation help the university more fully understand the nominee’s achievements, connection to GW, contributions to the public good, and potential fit for an honorary degree. Please do not contact the nominee regarding this nomination. Honorary degree nominations and deliberations are confidential, and the university will contact nominees as appropriate.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of awarding honorary degrees?
In addition to upholding academic tradition, the purpose of awarding honorary degrees is to recognize individuals whose achievements reflect the values of the George Washington University and to inspire our graduates. By honoring leaders across fields—including scholarship, public service, the arts, and industry—GW affirms its commitment to excellence, impact, and serving the public good. In doing so, the university both celebrates these individuals and reinforces its aspirations for its own community.
- What does GW look for in honorary degree nominees?
Nominees must display strong character as well as notable achievement in any of the following areas:
- Scholarship in any discipline, including major breakthroughs in knowledge in fields of scholarly work;
- Creative arts in the broad sense of the term, including literature, music, architecture, dance, poetry, etc;
- Profession, including distinguished contributions and innovations;
- Public service, including outstanding achievement in statesmanship, administration, legislative activity, and the judiciary
Three criteria are used for selecting honorary degree recipients. Nominees should distinguish themselves in at least two of these three categories:
- Distinguished professional, scholarly, intellectual, athletic, or creative achievement
- Demonstrated interest in activities outside the chosen profession that contribute to the public good, including public service activities and/or philanthropy
- A clear connection to the George Washington University
- Are current GW administrators, faculty, or staff eligible to receive an honorary degree?
GW administrators, faculty, and staff are not eligible for honorary degrees until one year after retirement.
- What honorary degrees does the university award?
One of the following honorary degrees may be awarded:
- Doctor of Business Administration honoris causa
- Doctor of Divinity
- Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa
- Doctor of Humane Letters
- Doctor of Humanities
- Doctor of Laws
- Doctor of Letters
- Doctor of Literature
- Doctor of Music honoris causa
- Doctor of Public Service
- Doctor of Science
- Doctor of Social Sciences
Note: When a degree, such as Doctor of Music, can be either earned or honorary, the words “honoris causa” are added to indicate that the degree is honorary.
- When are honorary degrees awarded?
Honorary degrees are typically awarded as part of the university-wide Commencement ceremony, but, in certain cases, may be presented at special events.
- Who may make a nomination for an honorary degree?
Anyone! Students, faculty, administrators, deans, alumni, and members of the general public may nominate a person for an honorary degree.
- How do I make a nomination?
Complete an honorary degree nomination form using the form above.
- When are nominations due?
To be considered for a specific Commencement ceremony, nominations must be submitted by the end of September of the academic year during which Commencement will take place.
- Who reviews the nominations?
The Faculty Senate Committee on Honors and Academic Convocations, the president of the university and members of their leadership team, the Board of Trustees Committee on Academic Affairs, and the full Board of Trustees all review nominations.
- When will I hear if my nomination has been accepted?
All deliberations about honorary degrees are strictly confidential. Therefore, nominators do not receive notification of the status of their recommendations.
- May I nominate someone who has received an honorary degree from GW in the past?
No. Individuals may only receive one honorary degree from GW. Please see the list of past recipients before submitting a nomination. An approved candidate who has not been awarded an honorary degree after five years is removed from the active list of approved candidates. Such individuals may be re-nominated through the standard nomination process.