Honorary doctoral degrees are awarded by Boise State University to recognize individuals of outstanding accomplishment in scholarship, creativity, public service, education, or contributions to human welfare. Previous recipients include Michael Hoffman, former Governor Cecil Andrus, Steve Appleton, Ralph Peterson, Barbara Morgan, Bethine Church, Velma Morrison, Allen Dykman, Marilyn Shuler, Greg Carr, Timothy Eagan, Robert G. Miller, Hamdi Ulukaya, Sanjay Mehrotra, Butch Otter, and Cherie Buckner-Webb.
Honorary doctoral degrees can only be awarded at a university commencement ceremony. Provost Buckwalter invites nominations for honorary doctorate recipients. The recipient of an honorary doctoral degree must exhibit a career of extraordinary and lasting distinction that serves as an inspiration to students and an indication of values that are esteemed by the university.
Nominees from previous years who were not selected can be re-nominated for consideration in subsequent years.
For more information on selection, procedure, and nomination guidelines, visit the Honorary Doctoral Degrees Policy.
To submit a nomination, please email the following (to the extent possible) to the Office of the Provost (provost@boisestate.edu) by October 1 for Winter Commencement, and February 1 for Spring Commencement:
- A resume summarizing the nominee’s education, career, honors, and awards, with the items in each major section listed in chronological order.
- A brief discussion of the nominee’s accomplishments, the impact of those accomplishments, and their relationship to either or both the university and the State of Idaho.
The nominations will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Committee of the Faculty Senate, and all qualified nominations will be forwarded to President Tromp for consideration.