An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all the usual requirements, such as matriculation, attendance, course credits, a dissertation, and the passing of comprehensive examinations. It is also known by the Latin phrases honoris causa ("for the sake of the honour") or ad honorem ("to the honour"). The degree is typically a doctorate or, less commonly, a master's degree, and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution or no previous post-secondary education. The degree is often conferred as a way of honouring a distinguished visitor's contributions to a specific field or to society in general. Honorary degrees are a recognition of a person's contributions to society or lifetime achievement in their field. Many schools, public and private, recognize individuals who make notable contributions to society by awarding them honorary doctorate degrees. Distinguished philanthropists, social workers, musicians, politicians, authors, and scientists often receive acknowledgment for their exemplary accomplishments and achievements that serve a greater good. Honorary degrees have been conferred on individuals from all walks of life. For example, Harvard University has awarded over 2300 honorary degrees since its establishment in 1692. Since 1892, Temple University has awarded over nine hundred honorary degrees. In short, recipients of honorary doctorate degree do not earn the degree through academic achievements; they receive these awards based on generous and altruistic actions or lifetime accomplishments that benefit a community, nation, or humanity in general.
Historical Origins
The practice dates to the Middle Ages, when for various reasons a university might be persuaded, or otherwise see fit, to grant exemption from some or all the usual statutory requirements for the awarding of a degree. The earliest honorary degree on record was awarded to Lionel Woodville in the late 1470s by the University of Oxford. He later became Bishop of Salisbury. In the latter part of the 16th century, the granting of honorary degrees became quite common, especially on royal visits to Oxford or Cambridge. On the visit of James I to Oxford in 1605, for example, forty-three members of his retinue (fifteen of whom were earls or barons) received the degree of Master of Arts, and the Register of Convocation explicitly states that these were full degrees, carrying the usual privileges (such as voting rights in Convocation and Congregation). Honorary doctorates are often awarded by universities and given to those who have either made a contribution to a certain field, or more commonly as a “thank you” to those who have made donations and contribution for the development of the University.
Modern Practice
Honorary degrees are usually awarded at regular graduation ceremonies, at which the recipients are often invited to make a speech of acceptance before the assembled faculty and graduates – an event which often forms the highlight of the ceremony. Generally, universities nominate several persons each year for honorary degrees; these nominees usually go through several committees before receiving approval. Those who are nominated are not told until a formal approval and invitation are made; often it is perceived that the system is shrouded in secrecy, and occasionally seen as political and controversial. Many universities expect a sizable donation from honorary degree recipients.
Practical use & Benefit
A typical example of university regulations is, "Honorary graduates may use the approved post-nominal letters. It is not customary, however, for recipients of an honorary doctorate to adopt the prefix 'Dr’. In some universities, it is however a matter of personal preference for an honorary doctor to use the formal title of "Doctor", regardless of the background circumstances for the award. In the other hand, the contribution of work of the recipient (regardless of field and social contributor) testifies and validate through the conferment of the Honorary Degree. Recipients of Honorary degrees not only have the benefit of getting recognition by the public, in the other hand the award also testified their good personality, widen their prospect and network, etc.
Who Has Received an Honorary Degree?
Some of the more recent and well-known recipients of honorary degrees include Steven Spielberg (Harvard 2016), Chris Matthews (Temple 2011), Tony Bennett (Fordham 2012), Rivka Carmi (Brandeis 2019), and James A. Baker, III (Yale 2019). Notable names from the past include many of the founding fathers of the United States. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin received honorary degrees from Harvard University. General Omar Bradley, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Frank Lloyd Wright are a few recipients of honorary degrees from Temple University. Jackie Chan (HK Baptist University, 1996) and university of Cambodia in year 2009. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate (at age 22) from the University of Manchester, awarded in recognition of his campaign against child poverty in the UK.
Historical Origins
The practice dates to the Middle Ages, when for various reasons a university might be persuaded, or otherwise see fit, to grant exemption from some or all the usual statutory requirements for the awarding of a degree. The earliest honorary degree on record was awarded to Lionel Woodville in the late 1470s by the University of Oxford. He later became Bishop of Salisbury. In the latter part of the 16th century, the granting of honorary degrees became quite common, especially on royal visits to Oxford or Cambridge. On the visit of James I to Oxford in 1605, for example, forty-three members of his retinue (fifteen of whom were earls or barons) received the degree of Master of Arts, and the Register of Convocation explicitly states that these were full degrees, carrying the usual privileges (such as voting rights in Convocation and Congregation). Honorary doctorates are often awarded by universities and given to those who have either made a contribution to a certain field, or more commonly as a “thank you” to those who have made donations and contribution for the development of the University.
Modern Practice
Honorary degrees are usually awarded at regular graduation ceremonies, at which the recipients are often invited to make a speech of acceptance before the assembled faculty and graduates – an event which often forms the highlight of the ceremony. Generally, universities nominate several persons each year for honorary degrees; these nominees usually go through several committees before receiving approval. Those who are nominated are not told until a formal approval and invitation are made; often it is perceived that the system is shrouded in secrecy, and occasionally seen as political and controversial. Many universities expect a sizable donation from honorary degree recipients.
Practical use & Benefit
A typical example of university regulations is, "Honorary graduates may use the approved post-nominal letters. It is not customary, however, for recipients of an honorary doctorate to adopt the prefix 'Dr’. In some universities, it is however a matter of personal preference for an honorary doctor to use the formal title of "Doctor", regardless of the background circumstances for the award. In the other hand, the contribution of work of the recipient (regardless of field and social contributor) testifies and validate through the conferment of the Honorary Degree. Recipients of Honorary degrees not only have the benefit of getting recognition by the public, in the other hand the award also testified their good personality, widen their prospect and network, etc.
Who Has Received an Honorary Degree?
Some of the more recent and well-known recipients of honorary degrees include Steven Spielberg (Harvard 2016), Chris Matthews (Temple 2011), Tony Bennett (Fordham 2012), Rivka Carmi (Brandeis 2019), and James A. Baker, III (Yale 2019). Notable names from the past include many of the founding fathers of the United States. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin received honorary degrees from Harvard University. General Omar Bradley, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Frank Lloyd Wright are a few recipients of honorary degrees from Temple University. Jackie Chan (HK Baptist University, 1996) and university of Cambodia in year 2009. Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is the youngest recipient of an honorary doctorate (at age 22) from the University of Manchester, awarded in recognition of his campaign against child poverty in the UK.