Honorary Degrees Guiding Policies
The following represent those honorary degrees that may be offered by Pacific Lutheran University. While there are many other honorary doctoral degrees, the following not only represent honorary degrees offered historically by PLU, but also represent the strongest alignment with mission.
| Degree | Awarded to someone who has demonstrated significant and sustained accomplishment, achievement, and dedication to: |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Arts (D.A.) | literature or the arts |
| Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) | religious service |
| Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) | the humanities or human welfare |
| Doctor or Laws (LL.D.) | public service or government |
| Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) | science, social sciences, or technology |
Honorary doctorates are normally not awarded to political incumbents or current students, employees, or board members of PLU. Degrees are never awarded in exchange for financial contributions.
A maximum of three honorary doctorates may be conferred each year. No more than one degree is awarded at Commencement or at opening Convocation. Other than Commencement and opening Convocation, honorary degrees may be conferred at a special ceremony or convocation on campus or may be conferred at a special ceremony off campus.
Committee Membership
The University Committee on Honorary Degrees is composed of the chair of the faculty (chair), the vice-chair of the faculty, the elected faculty representative to the Board of Regents, one representative from the Educational Policies Committee, two administrative staff appointed by the president, one regent appointed by the Chair of the Board of Regents, the provost (or designate), and the president (or designate).