Honorary Degrees
Honorary degrees recognize those who have made profound and enduring contributions to scholarship, culture, and improved quality of life in society at large.
USM Board of Regents Criteria
Honorary degree nominees must meet the criteria established by the USM Board of Regents listed in their Policy on the Awarding of Honorary Degrees.
Towson University's Procedures
Honorary degree nominees are selected by Towson University's Honorary Degree Committee according to USM criteria and following Towson University's procedures on the awarding of honorary degrees.
The Towson University Honorary Degree Committee is an ad hoc committee appointed by the President of the University. Its purpose is to solicit and receive from faculty and staff members the names of potential candidates to receive the honorary degree and to select those nominated to the Board of Regents for that honor.
The committee is chaired by the Provost and includes one representative from each college recommended by the Provost, the Vice President for University Advancement, the Associate Vice President of Marketing, the Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations, and a representative from the Divisions of Business and Public Engagement, Student Affairs, and Athletics. Committee members are appointed by the President for three year terms.
The Honorary Degree Committee invites faculty and staff to nominate individuals to receive the Honorary Degree who meet the criteria established by the USM Board of Regents listed in their Policy on the Awarding of Honorary Degrees.
The Committee will forward approved nominations for the Honorary Degree to the President for final selection.
A campus-wide notification that announces the opening of nominations will be sent in the spring and fall and will allow 30 days to reply.
- Nomination Form (DOC)
Honorary Degree Recipients
- View the list of past Honorary Degree Recipients (DOC).
Achievements of national or international significance receive the strongest consideration by university's Honorary Degree Committee. Any member of the university community can submit a nomination and it is important that recipients be persons of great integrity, as the choices we make reflect our values as an institution. Towson University has awarded more than 100 degrees since 1969.
Early History
The first Towson University honorary degrees, Doctors of Humane Letters, were conferred in 1969 upon Benjamin Arthur Quarles, who was a historian, administrator, scholar, educator, and writer, and Marvin Mandel a politician and Maryland's 56th governor.