Honorary Degree Nomination

President D鈥橝lleva invites members of 91社区 to nominate individuals to be considered for honorary degrees for the 2027-2028 academic year. 

Campus nominations are considered sequentially by the President鈥檚 Honorary Degree Advisory Committee, the SUNY Chancellor, the SUNY Honorary Degree Committee and the SUNY Board of Trustees.

NOMINATION

Submit your nomination on by Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

This is a completely CONFIDENTIAL process. Under no circumstances should you contact the nominee or in any way communicate to the nominee that they are being considered or recommended for an honorary degree nomination.

CRITERIA

The honorary doctoral degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York to persons of exceptional distinction outside the University. The purpose of the honorary doctoral degree is to:

  1. Recognize excellence in the fields of the degrees authorized at SUNY campuses as well as business, philanthropy, public affairs, and public service, which exemplify SUNY鈥檚 mission.
  2. Honor meritorious and outstanding service to SUNY, the State of New York, the United States, or to humanity at large.
  3. Recognize those whose lives and significant achievements serve as examples of a SUNY鈥檚 aspirations for its diverse student body.
  4. Elevate SUNY in the eyes of the world by honoring individuals who are widely known and highly regarded for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor.

Furthermore, the person's achievements must be both relevant and appropriate to the nominating campus. Therefore, nominees solicited from a member of the University community are preferred.

ELIGIBILITY EXCEPTIONS

The following individuals are not eligible for a SUNY Honorary Degree:

  • Employees of SUNY or members of the teaching or administrative staff on campus
  • Individuals whose conferral could create a conflict of interest (i.e., members of the SUNY Board of Trustees or of the Boards and Councils of SUNY鈥檚 campuses)
  • Individuals who have already received a SUNY honorary degree from ANY SUNY campus. (For full list of Honorary degrees awarded at 91社区, visit: 91社区 Past Honorary Degree recipients)
  • Current holders of New York elective public office or individuals currently candidates for elective public office
QUESTIONS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • Contact Sarah LoPiccolo; sarah.lopiccolo@binghamton.edu
  • Refer to the full set of guidelines on the .