University of Maine Honorary Degrees
Call for Nominations
The University of Maine Honorary Degree Committee seeks nominations for honorary degrees to be awarded at the May 2023 Commencement ceremonies.
The awarding of honorary degrees is an opportunity to draw positive attention to the university through the recognition of world-class achievement and impact. Please consider submitting a nomination for this special University of Maine honor. Please find below the University of Maine System Board of Trustees Policy regarding Honorary Degrees.
In order to submit a nomination, please use this University of Maine Honorary Degree nomination form. A separate nomination form should be used for each nominee and be accompanied by a nomination letter (no more than five pages) that includes the following information:
- a compelling rationale for the nominee
- relevant biographical data
- description of the nominee’s regional, national or international prominence
- description of the nominee’s connection to the state of Maine
The nomination letter also should address:
- The candidate’s most notable accomplishments and how these achievements make this individual worthy of receiving an honorary degree.
- Why it is particularly appropriate for this person to receive an honorary degree from the University of Maine.
Please submit the completed nomination form and accompanying letter by Friday, October 29, 2021.
Board of Trustees Policy Statement
Last Revised: 06/06/05:
Honorary degrees are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees. Honorary degrees may be conferred by any university of the University of Maine System to persons of notable achievement in an academic field, the arts and letters, the professions, or public service. All nominees will be expected to have some connection with the State of Maine, except in the case of certain internationally and nationally known persons.
Candidates for honorary degrees may be nominated by Trustees, Chancellor, Presidents, or private citizens. Approved nominations from an institution shall be awarded as a degree from that institution. There shall also be a University of Maine System degree. Nominations for the system degree may come from Trustees, Chancellor or Presidents with the Trustees designating the institution for conferring the degree.
In developing nominations it is understood that honorary degrees shall not be conferred on faculty or staff within the University of Maine System until their employment with the institution has ended or on Trustees until five years after their retirement from the Board; nor awarded to local or state government officials during their terms of office, nor awarded posthumously or in absentia. Normally, an individual shall not receive more than one honorary degree from the University of Maine System or its Universities in a five year period. And, lastly, commencement speakers shall not be automatically nominated to receive an honorary degree, nor should nominees be contacted prior to the Board’s consideration.
Action on honorary degree nominations shall be taken at the January Board meeting.