Honorary Degrees

Honorary Degree Criteria

Molloy University confers an honorary degree to individuals who have achieved major distinction at the local/regional, state or national level (or to Molloy University or in higher education) in such areas as the arts, education, public service, research, humanities, business or the professions.  The candidate will also exemplify the ideals of Molloy's mission. Consideration will be given to individuals who qualify based on the following criteria:

• Recognized excellence, in the course of a career, in some field of scholarship, in public service or in an artistic, literary, governmental, religious, business or other endeavor.
• A significant reason for recognition by the University, in the form of an association or relationship with the University or a valued relationship between the individual's achievements and the mission, guiding virtues or life of the University.
• A person whose life and/or work represents the highest values of the University's Dominican and Catholic identity, and its mission to advance the common good.

The impressive list of past recipients includes pioneers and leaders in their respective fields.  

Process/Procedures for the Selection of Honorary Degree Recipients

The President shall establish a two-year ad-hoc representative committee, composed of faculty, academic and administrative staff, which shall recommend to the President proposed honorary degree recipients selected from nominations submitted by faculty, students, staff, alumni, trustees and the general public.  The Chair(s) of this Committee shall be the Associate Provost for Academi Affairs and/or one of the four school deans.

Each year, the ad hoc Honorary Degree Committee will invite the MU community and the public to nominate candidates for consideration for an Honorary Doctorate Degree - Honoris causa.

Honorary degrees may only be awarded by approval of the Board upon the recommendation of the President.  Before requesting Board approval, the President shall submit to the Board written information concerning the candidate's achievements and any significant contributions to the University, higher education, locally/regionally, within the State of New York or nationally.

A vetting process will be performed by the Committee and the Office of Advancement prior to nomination moving forward to the President.  

Unless an exception is approved by the Board, Board approval of the candidates must be obtained at least four months prior to the award of the degree and no more than six honorary degrees may be awarded by the University each year.

Submitting Nominations

Submission  of nomination on the honorary degree candidate form, which is submitted to the Co-Chairs of the Honorary Degree Committee with a cc to the support staff.  Nominations must be submitted using the online nomination form.

Timeline

Fall of each year (on or about):

Decision

• Committee to Provost to President to Board
• Approved nominations are added to a roster of candidates and will remain on the listing for three years.

Limitations

Elected or appointed public officials, members and employees of the Board, members and employees of the Board of Higher Education, and employees and their family members are ineligible for award of an honorary degree during their term of office or employment.