University Accepting Nominations for Honorary Degrees, Granite State Awards

By Lori Wright, Media Relations

Do you know someone who has made an outstanding academic, professional or civic achievement to the state or nation? You may want to nominate the person for an honorary degree or Granite State Award, which are conferred at Commencement each year.

The Honorary Degrees and Granite State Awards Committee seeks nominations of exemplary individuals for special recognition by UNH the form of honorary degrees and Granite State Awards as well as suggestions for commencement speakers. The committee examines and considers nominees and speakers of outstanding academic, professional, or civic achievement in order to make recommendations to the president and the Board of Trustees for approval.

“I encourage each of you to think about colleagues, acquaintances, alumni, and anyone else who should be recognized and submit their names to the Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee for consideration,” UNH President Ann Weaver Hart said.

Honorary degrees are given to:

• Outstanding citizens who bring honor, prestige, and recognition to the state.
• Outstanding alumni of the university.
• Outstanding living benefactors of the university, whether their contributions are in-kind, service, or otherwise. Consideration is given to former members of the university family — trustees, faculty, and staff — when reviewing potential degree recipients in this category.
• Individuals of national and/or international importance whose contributions have enhanced society as a whole, or who have otherwise brought significant enrichment or benefit to particular groups.

Granite State Awards recognize leaders of business, industry, agriculture, trade associations, labor organizations, teachers in high or preparatory schools, professional persons, and citizens who have made outstanding contributions to New Hampshire (i.e., persons of prominence in their own communities who do not easily fit the categories of those eligible for Honorary Degrees, but who merit commendation). Granite State Awards also are conferred upon agencies, corporations, and foundations when they have provided extraordinary services or have otherwise provided great benefit to the state.

In addition to accepting nominations for honorary degrees and Granite State Awards, the committee is seeking recommendations for commencement speakers. Commencement speakers are awarded an Honorary Degree barring any unusual and compelling circumstances. Ideally, commencement speakers should hold a college degree. Commencement speakers without a college degree may be recommended to the president by a majority vote of the committee members.

“Commencement speakers are chosen based on their ability to enlighten graduates through shared experiences that educate and offer wisdom. The university has found its most inspiring speakers through existing contacts and relationships within the campus community. If you have an idea for a speaker, please submit suggested names to the Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee,” Hart said.

The deadline for nominations and speakers for Commencement 2006 is Nov. 21, 2005. Nominees should be sent to Susan Entz, chair of the Honorary Degrees and Awards Committee at susan.entz@unh.edu, for committee review. Additional information on the nomination process can be found at: http://www.unh.edu/honorarydegrees/.