Honorary Degree Recipients and Commencement Speakers

Recognizing that Commencement is a formal public celebration for students, trustees, faculty, staff, families, friends and the civic community, awarding honorary degrees and inviting persons to be Commencement speakers serve as sources of celebration and inspiration.

Attentive to its Catholic heritage and purpose, Saint Xavier University awards honorary degrees and extends invitations to persons to be Commencement speakers whose values and accomplishments in their field of endeavor are consistent with the mission, core values and ideals of the University.

The University will consider individuals for an honorary degree and/or to serve as a Commencement speaker who have achieved a public, persistent and positive presence in the enterprise of advancing a higher culture.

The University values especially superior teaching, artistic expression, intellectual rigor, service to the poor and encouragement of religious faith. It holds in high regard the liberal arts and sciences, the professions and a special interest in women and children. Honorary degrees or invitations to be Commencement speakers will not be given to individuals who advocate views that conflict with the mission and core values of the University.

Decisions to award honorary degrees usually should be separated from decisions about who should deliver Commencement addresses. Individuals may receive honorary degrees without giving a formal address or speak without receiving an honorary degree.

The process for nominating candidates for an honorary degree and the selection of Commencement speakers is staffed by the Office of the President and monitored by the Trusteeship Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Members of the Board of Trustees are invited annually to suggest candidates for honorary degrees and Commencement speakers. In addition, faculty, staff, students and the administration may assist in the nomination of candidates by recommending individuals via the Honorary Degree and Commencement Speaker form.

Those nominating a candidate for an honorary degree and/or Commencement speaker will be asked to provide a short statement indicating the reasons for the nomination in relation to the criteria.

The Office of the President:

1. Makes an initial decision on each nomination as to the adequacy of the background information on the individual.
2. Brings forward nominees for consideration by the Trusteeship Committee.
3. Upon agreement by the full Board, contacts the individual to determine if the candidate will accept the degree and/or serve as Commencement Speaker.
4. Makes the formal announcement regarding who will receive the honorary degree and/or serve as Commencement speaker.
5. Follows the established protocol for communicating with the recipient and/or speaker prior to the Commencement ceremony.

The Trusteeship Committee:

1. Reviews each complete nomination in relation to the criteria listed above.
2. Recommends its final selections to the full Board. All trustees maintain confidentiality.
3. The Board of Trustees authorizes the President to grant the honorary degree.

Honorary degree recipients will be reimbursed for legitimate travel and expenses, but normally will not be offered an honorarium or appearance fee.