Back to Office of the President

Trinity College Honorands 2017

January 27, 2016

Dear Members of the Trinity College Community,

An honorary degree is one of higher education’s most significant accolades.  Trinity College awards honorary degrees, honoris causa, to distinguished individuals who during the course of their lives have made enduring contributions to society and to the world through education, public or humanitarian service, arts and culture, business, medicine, philanthropy, the media, or other endeavors.  Honorary degree recipients should have demonstrated commitment to the humane and educational values that exemplify the mission of Trinity College.

We invite all members of the Trinity community to submit nominations for Commencement 2017. Nominations for Commencement 2017 may be submitted until 5:00 p.m. on March 23, 2016. Nominations submitted after March 23 and those not selected this year will remain under consideration for Commencements 2018 and 2019.

Eligibility for Nominations
The President of the College, trustees, faculty members (individually or jointly), and members of the College community may nominate candidates to receive honorary degrees, though a nomination to the committee does not guarantee selection or approval.  Honorary degree nominations for sitting faculty, trustees, or staff will not be considered.  No honorary degree shall be conferred unless the recipient is present to accept it.  All nominations will be held in the strictest confidentiality.

Commencement Speakers
Commencement speakers are selected by the President.  It is College practice that individuals delivering the Commencement address also receive honorary degrees; therefore, nominations for Commencement speakers follow the honorary degree nomination process.  On occasion, someone not being conferred an honorary degree may serve as speaker.

Please use the attached form to nominate an honorary degree candidate.  Nominations and questions may be submitted to Mr. Dickens Mathieu, General Counsel and Secretary of the College, at [email protected] or (860) 297-2548.

Sincerely,

Joanne Berger-Sweeney
President and Trinity College
Professor of Neuroscience