Purpose
Honorary degrees recognize those who have made profound and enduring contributions to scholarship, culture, or society. Recipients will be persons of great integrity, reflecting our values as an institution.
Eligibility
The criteria for selecting honorary degree recipients are:
- Distinguished and sustained professional, scholarly, intellectual, or creative achievement; and
- Demonstrated activities that contribute to the public good, including public service and/or philanthropy.
Preference will be given to candidates with sustained commitment, contribution, or service to the university or the state.
Nominations
Nominations for honorary degree awards are made through a UIS academic unit. Nominators should consult the Academic Personnel Calendar for submission due dates.
UIS honorary degree recipients
2024
Burks Oakley II, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2023
Raymond Schroeder, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2019
Karen Hasara, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2017
Edgar J. Curtis, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2014
Evelyn Brandt Thomas, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2006
Gilbert N. Stein, honorary Doctor of Letters
2004
James Stukel, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2002
Governor James R. Thompson, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2000
A. Lee Fritschler, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1993
Edwin A. Lee MD, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1991
Mary Jane Roach Masters, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Governor Jim Edgar, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
James C. Worthy, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Lt. Governor Paul Simon, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1983
George Hatmaker, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1988
Robert C. Spencer, honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
1982
George Hoffman, Doctor of Laws, Honoris Juris
updated 2023-12-8