Nominate a Candidate for an Honorary Degree

Our vision is to be a university of choice for outstanding students, faculty and staff from British Columbia, Canada and the world. We aspire to be the Canadian university that best integrates outstanding scholarship, inspired teaching and real-life involvement. As members of a diverse and dynamic learning community, we challenge one another to become thoughtful, engaged citizens and leaders, prepared to contribute to the betterment of a rapidly changing global society.

In celebration of this vision, the University of Victoria confers degrees Honoris Causa each year to a select group of individuals who have an exceptional record of distinction and achievement. Honorees include world-renowned scholars and artists; celebrated and visionary public figures; prominent professional and community leaders; and philanthropists.

Honorary degrees for award are:

1) Fine and Performing Arts – Honorary degrees approved by Senate commonly awarded in this category include DFA, DLitt, DMus, LLD;
2) Humanities and Belles Lettres – Honorary degrees approved by Senate commonly awarded in this category include DLitt and LLD;
3) Public Service / Public Profile – Honorary degrees approved by Senate commonly awarded in this category include LLD;
4) Social Science & Service / Social Justice & Change – Honorary degrees approved by Senate commonly awarded under this category include DEd, DSN, and LLD;
5) Pure and Applied Science – Honorary degrees approved by Senate commonly awarded under this category include DEng, DSc, LLD.

You may nominate individuals from any country and of any nationality; however, we suggest you give particular attention to individuals who have had some connection with the University of Victoria, British Columbia and the traditional and ancestral territories of the Indigenous Peoples of the area. We seek to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals of diverse backgrounds and achievements.

A candidate for an honorary degree must attend a convocation ceremony to receive the degree in person, except in unusual circumstances and only at the discretion of Senate. Honorary Degrees are not awarded posthumously, nor are they generally awarded to persons holding political office or a current appointment at the University of Victoria.

Question Title

The Nominee

Name

Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Question Title

Please indicate which Honorary Degree you are nominating the candidate for:

LLD (Laws)

DLitt (Letters)

DFA (Fine Arts)

DSc (Science)

DEng (Engineering)

DEd (Education)

DSN (Nursing)

DMus (Music)

Question Title

A biography or brief summary (maximum 300 words) of the nominee, including highlights of the candidate’s education, field of endeavour(s), and positions held.

Question Title

Please include the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV). Additional supporting materials, including pertinent newspaper and other articles, or biographical information, may also be included.

Only one document can be uploaded, please ensure all supporting documents are included.

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Question Title

The Nominator(s)

Name

Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Question Title

Please provide a letter of nomination.

The letter of nomination should comprise a detailed specification and documentation of those of the candidate's achievements that the nominator believes qualify the candidate for consideration for an honorary degree. It should clearly describe why the nominee should receive an honorary degree and include, as appropriate, information about the nominee’s community activities; national or provincial activities; distinguished or notable professional achievements or service that reflects a high standard of excellence in his or her field; publications, research or creative work; and previous awards and recognition.

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Question Title

First Supporter

Name

Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Question Title

Please provide a letter of support.

Letters of support should describe the supporter's relationship with the candidate, highlight those outstanding characteristics that are not evident on the candidate's CV, and highlight specific contributions, details of the candidate’s career, extraordinary and pioneering accomplishments, unique characteristics, etc. that make the candidate worthy of the honour.

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Question Title

Second Supporter

Name

Address

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Question Title

Please provide a letter of support.

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG, JPG, JPEG, GIF file types only.

Choose File

If you have additional supporters, please email usec2@uvic.ca with the full name, address, email and letter(s) of support.

Nominations are reviewed by the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees and Other Forms of Recognition in accordance with the Terms of Reference of the committee. A nomination will not be placed before the committee until all components of the nomination package have been submitted.

The selection of candidates for receipt of honorary degrees is considered by Senate to be a delicate matter requiring the utmost care and confidentiality. The committee receives many names of possible candidates from various sources each year and tries to maintain a balance in the selection of candidates. Regrettably, it is not possible to offer honorary degrees to all candidates who are nominated. Any recommendations for honorary degrees received by the committee are held in strict confidence from the time they are received.

Once a name has been put forward for a degree, the Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees and the Senate are unable to comment on what has transpired. Nominators are not informed of their deliberations. To avoid any potential embarrassment to candidates, nominators and the university, candidates are never informed that they are under consideration. Their selection by Senate is not revealed until a letter is written to ask if they are willing to accept an honorary degree.

When a candidate has been approved by Senate, has accepted the offering and has been scheduled for a convocation ceremony, the nominators and supporters of the candidate will be contacted and informed.