An Honorary Doctorate degree stands as a distinguished accolade bestowed by a university or degree-granting institution, where traditional academic prerequisites are waived. This prestigious honor is typically conferred to recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to a specific discipline or to society at large. Often, honorary doctorates are awarded to keynote speakers at university commencement ceremonies. It’s crucial to note that while an honorary degree is a significant honor, it is not considered by employers to hold the same academic weight as a doctorate earned through rigorous study and research, and should not be presented as equivalent.
At NC State University, honorary degrees represent the highest form of recognition, celebrating extraordinary and impactful contributions to scholarship, creativity, leadership, and humanitarian or public service. These contributions serve as a state, national, or international benchmark for excellence and embody the university’s broad mission.
The Selection Process for Honorary Doctorates
The Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees at NC State University spearheads the nomination process for honorary doctorate recipients. This esteemed degree is reserved for individuals whose accomplishments are not only extraordinary but also of lasting significance. Recipients may or may not have prior affiliations with the university. The selection is based on remarkable achievements in areas such as scholarship, innovation, leadership, humanitarian efforts, or public service. It is distinct from the Watauga Medal, which specifically acknowledges exceptional service to NC State University itself.
It is important to note that honorary degrees are not granted to current members of the university faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the governor, or any elected or state official involved in the governance or oversight of NC State, as long as their association with these roles continues. Self-nominations are also not accepted by the committee.
For a deeper understanding of the Honorary Doctoral Degree at NC State, including the university’s official regulations and a list of past recipients, please visit: leadership.ncsu.edu/board-of-trustees/honorary-degrees.
A History of Recognition: NC State’s First Honorary Degree
NC State University’s tradition of honorary degrees began in 1917 with its first conferral to Wilbur Fiske Massey. Massey was a distinguished botanist, horticulturalist, and agriculturalist, setting a precedent for recognizing leaders in diverse fields.
Honoring Contemporary Leaders: Recent Honorary Doctorate Recipients
NC State University continues to recognize outstanding individuals with honorary doctorates. Recent recipients exemplify the broad spectrum of achievements celebrated by the university:
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Ashley Christensen Honorary Doctorate Recipient
Ashley Christensen
Ashley Christensen, an accomplished NC State alumna, is a James Beard Award-winning chef renowned for establishing some of the most celebrated restaurants in the Triangle area. Her culinary expertise has garnered national acclaim from prominent publications such as Bon Appétit, Gourmet, The New York Times, and Southern Living. Beyond her culinary achievements, Christensen is actively involved in community service, serving on the boards of the Dix Park Conservancy and Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen. She is also a dedicated member of the Southern Foodways Alliance and the founder of the biannual Stir the Pot fundraising event.
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Christina Koch NASA Astronaut Honorary Degree
Christina Koch
Christina Koch, another distinguished NC State alumna, is a NASA astronaut who holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, spending an impressive 328 days in space. She also participated in the first-ever all-woman spacewalk alongside fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir. During her missions, Koch contributed to numerous scientific experiments, including advancements in the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer for dark matter detection and protein crystal growth for pharmaceutical research.
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Jeff Williams Apple COO Honorary Doctorate
Jeff Williams
Jeff Williams, an NC State alumnus, is the Chief Operating Officer of Apple. In this role, he oversees Apple’s global operations, customer service, and support. He also leads Apple’s acclaimed design team and the engineering for Apple Watch software and hardware. Demonstrating a commitment to philanthropy, Williams and his wife Melissa manage the Williams Family Private Foundation, which focuses on addressing education and food insecurity.
Nominating a Candidate for an Honorary Doctorate
NC State University’s Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees encourages nominations for individuals deserving of an Honorary Doctoral Degree. You can submit your nomination today to recognize exceptional leaders and contributors!
Nominations are submitted through the online Honorary Doctoral Degree Nomination Form and are open to personnel affiliated with NC State University who possess an active Unity ID/password.
Nomination Steps:
Step 1: Complete the online nomination form. (Login required with Unity ID and password)
Step 2: Email your nomination letter to [email protected]. This letter should detail the nominee’s accomplishments, qualifications for an honorary degree, and the significance of this recognition for NC State University.
The Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees will review your nomination letter. If the committee decides to proceed with the nomination, you will be asked to provide two letters of support. Nominations endorsed by the Faculty Committee, the provost, and the chancellor are then presented to the Board of Trustees for final approval. The board reviews nominations recommended by the faculty committee each semester.
For any inquiries, please contact:
Office of the Provost
Amy Jinnette / 919.515.3123 / [email protected]
Quick Links:
- Honorary Doctoral Degree Nomination Form
- Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees Roster 2024-25
