{{short description|Academic qualification awarded without usual requirements}} {{Distinguish|Honours degree}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} [[File:Jimmy Wales receives honorary doctorate from Maastricht University (5).JPG|thumb|The ''honoris causa'' [[doctorate]] received by [[Jimmy Wales]] from the [[University of Maastricht]] in Netherlands (2015)]]

An '''honorary degree''' is an [[academic degree]] for which a [[university]] (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the [[Latin]] phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''[[ad honorem]]'' ("to the honour"). The degree is typically a [[doctorate]] or, less commonly, a [[master's degree]], and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Honorary Degree |url=http://honorarydegrees.wvu.edu/history |journal=Honorarydegrees.wvu.edu|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330034606/http://honorarydegrees.wvu.edu/history |archive-date=30 March 2015 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> or no previous postsecondary education. An example of identifying a recipient of this award is as follows: Doctorate in Business Administration (''Hon.&nbsp;Causa'').

The degree is often conferred as a way of honouring a distinguished visitor's contributions to a specific field or to society in general.<ref name="Brandeis University">{{cite web |url=http://www.brandeis.edu/trustees/hdr/ |title=Honorary Degrees: A Short History |publisher=Brandeis University |access-date=1 November 2014 |archive-date=25 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625110359/http://www.brandeis.edu/trustees/hdr/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==History== The earliest honorary degree on record was awarded to [[Lionel Woodville]] in the late 1470s by the [[University of Oxford]].<ref name=buxton /> He later became [[Bishop of Salisbury]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Woodville, Lionel, bishop of Salisbury|url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/printable/29938|website=oxforddnb.com|access-date=16 June 2014|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000245/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/printable/29938|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the late 16th century, the granting of honorary degrees became quite common, especially on the occasion of royal visits to Oxford or [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]].<ref name="buxton">Buxton, L. H. Dudley and [[Strickland Gibson|Gibson, Strickland]], ''Oxford University Ceremonies'', Oxford University Press (1935)</ref> On the visit of [[James I of England|James I]] to Oxford in 1605, for example, forty-three members of his retinue (fifteen of whom were [[earl]]s or [[baron]]s) received the degree of [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|Master of Arts]], and the Register of Convocation explicitly states that these were full degrees, carrying the usual privileges, such as voting rights in [[Convocation]] and [[Congregation (university)|Congregation]].<ref name=buxton />

There were also some special cases: for example the critic [[John Ruskin]] suffered a physical or mental breakdown in 1840 and dropped out of the [[University of Oxford]]. He returned to Oxford in 1842, and sat a single exam, and was awarded an honorary fourth-class degree.<ref>Bradley, Alexander. "Ruskin at Oxford: Pupil and Master", pp. 749-750, ''Studies in English Literature'', 1500-1900 32, no. 4 (1992): 747–64. [https://doi.org/10.2307/450969 doi]</ref>

In the United States, the [[Doctor of Philosophy]] (Ph.D.) degree was first conferred as an honorary degree at [[Bucknell University]] in 1852 and in 1861 [[Yale University]] awarded the first earned Ph.D., becoming the first American university to do so.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lady |first1=R. Andrew |title=Honoris Causa: An Examination of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree |journal=The Journal of Higher Education |date=April 1967 |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=197, 199–200}}</ref> Over one hundred institutions in the United States conferred honorary Ph.D. degrees in the 19th century, to more than seven hundred recipients.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lady |first1=R. Andrew |title=Honoris Causa: An Examination of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree |journal=The Journal of Higher Education |date=April 1967 |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=197, 200}}</ref> However, the practice of awarding the Ph.D. as an honorary degree drew condemnation from organizations such as the [[American Philological Association]] and the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]], and the board of regents of the [[University of the State of New York]] prohibited any university in the state from conferring an honorary Ph.D. effective in 1897.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lady |first1=R. Andrew |title=Honoris Causa: An Examination of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree |journal=The Journal of Higher Education |date=April 1967 |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=197, 203}}</ref> The number of honorary Ph.D. degrees awarded in the U.S. declined in the 20th century, and surveys by the [[United States Office of Education]] found none conferred in 1940 or later years.<ref name="lady-201">{{cite journal |last1=Lady |first1=R. Andrew |title=Honoris Causa: An Examination of the Doctor of Philosophy Degree |journal=The Journal of Higher Education |date=April 1967 |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=197, 201}}</ref> One of the last known recipients of an honorary Ph.D. was singer [[Bing Crosby]], from [[Gonzaga University]] in 1937.<ref name="lady-201"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Smawley |first1=Robert B. |title=Letters of Credit, Kudos, and Quackery |journal=The Phi Delta Kappan |date=January 1963 |volume=44 |issue=4 |page=173}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Eells |first1=Walter |title=Academic Degrees: Earned and Honorary Degrees Conferred by Institutions of Higher Education in the United States |date=1960 |publisher=Government Printing Office |location=Washington |pages=42–52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YE8LAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22first%20honorary%22&pg=RA4-PA42 |archive-date=2 December 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202085541/https://books.google.com/books?id=YE8LAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22first%20honorary%22&pg=RA4-PA42 |url-status=live }}</ref>

By 2001, about 21 U.S. states had begun allowing public schools to grant honorary [[high school diploma]]s to military veterans under a program called "Operation Recognition".<ref>{{cite news|title=75-year-old is glad to be grad|first=Sarah|last=Buehrle|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|date=November 19, 2001|page=B3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123758333/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In Ohio, it was unclear whether public schools had the legal authority to grant them until 12 July 2001, when Governor [[Bob Taft]] signed a bill allowing public school districts to grant them to honorably discharged veterans of [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite report|title=2002 S.B. 30 Report|date=October 31, 2002|publisher=Ohio Legislative Service Commission|location=Columbus, Ohio|page=27|url=https://lsc.ohio.gov/assets/organizations/legislative-service-commission/files/senate-bill-30-reports-2002-senate-bill-30-report.pdf#page=29|archive-date=29 April 2023|access-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429213206/https://lsc.ohio.gov/assets/organizations/legislative-service-commission/files/senate-bill-30-reports-2002-senate-bill-30-report.pdf#page=29|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lakota East High School]] is believed to have awarded the first such diplomas to a group of 20 veterans in May of that year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veterans become graduates; New way to honor military service: Lakota East first to award degrees|first=Sue|last=Kiesewetter|work=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|date=May 12, 2001|page=B3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123757611/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Modern practice== Honorary degrees are usually awarded at regular [[graduation]] ceremonies, at which the recipients are often invited to make a speech of acceptance before the assembled [[faculty (teaching staff)|faculty]] and graduates—an event which often forms the highlight of the ceremony. Generally, universities nominate several persons each year for honorary degrees; these nominations usually go through several [[committee]]s before receiving approval. Nominees are generally not told until a formal approval and invitation are made; often it is perceived that the system is shrouded in secrecy, and occasionally seen as political and controversial.<ref>{{cite journal|title=What are Honorary Doctorate Degrees?|url=http://education-portal.com/articles/What_are_Honorary_Doctorate_Degrees.html|journal=Education-portal.com|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-date=1 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001081606/http://education-portal.com/articles/What_are_Honorary_Doctorate_Degrees.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On occasion, organisations have been awarded honorary doctorates.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2022 |title=Honorary Doctorates 2022 |url=https://www.shu.ac.uk/news/all-articles/latest-news/honorary-doctorates-2022 |website=www.shu.ac.uk |publisher=Sheffield Hallam University |access-date=26 November 2022 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126222710/https://www.shu.ac.uk/news/all-articles/latest-news/honorary-doctorates-2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Honoris causa'' degrees are not considered of the same standing as substantive degrees earned by the standard academic processes of courses and original research, except perhaps where the recipient has demonstrated an appropriate level of academic scholarship that would ordinarily qualify them for the award of a substantive degree.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Doctorates a dime a dozen?|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/11/11/fea07.asp|journal=Archives.dailynews.lk|date=11 November 2008|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-date=27 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127031356/http://archives.dailynews.lk/2008/11/11/fea07.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> Recipients of honorary degrees typically wear the same [[academic dress]] as recipients of substantive degrees, although there are a few exceptions: honorary graduates at the [[Academic dress of the University of Cambridge|University of Cambridge]] wear the appropriate full-dress gown but not the hood, and those at the [[Academic dress of the University of St Andrews|University of St Andrews]] wear a black [[cassock]] instead of the usual full-dress gown.

Although [[higher doctorate]]s such as [[Doctor of Science]], [[Doctor of Letters]], etc. are often awarded ''honoris causa'', in some countries (notably England and Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand) it is formally possible to earn such a degree as a substantive one.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Doctorates of the University|url=http://universidadazteca.net/grados_propios/doctor_universitario|website=universidadazteca.net|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-date=5 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505223135/http://universidadazteca.net/grados_propios/doctor_universitario|url-status=live}}</ref> This typically involves the submission of a portfolio of peer-refereed research, usually undertaken over a number of years, which has made a substantial contribution to the academic field in question. The university will appoint a panel of examiners who will consider the case and prepare a report recommending whether or not the degree be awarded. Usually, the applicant must have some strong formal connection with the university in question, for example full-time academic staff, or graduates of several years' standing.

Some universities, seeking to differentiate between substantive and honorary doctorates, have a degree (often DUniv, or Doctor of the University) which is used for these purposes, with the other higher doctorates reserved for formally examined academic scholarship.

The [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] has the authority to award degrees. These "[[Lambeth degrees]]" are sometimes, erroneously, thought to be honorary; however the archbishops have for many centuries had the legal authority (originally as the representatives of the [[Pope]], later confirmed by [[Act Concerning Peter's Pence and Dispensations|a 1533 Act]] of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]]), to award degrees and regularly do so to people who have either passed an examination or are deemed to have satisfied the appropriate requirements.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Archbishop of Canterbury awards Lambeth Degrees|url=http://rowanwilliams.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2649/archbishop-of-canterbury-awards-lambeth-degrees|website=rowanwilliams.archbishopofcanterbury.org|date=16 October 2012|access-date=18 June 2014|archive-date=17 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717080215/http://rowanwilliams.archbishopofcanterbury.org/articles.php/2649/archbishop-of-canterbury-awards-lambeth-degrees|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Between the two extremes of honouring celebrities and formally assessing a portfolio of research, some universities use honorary degrees to recognise achievements of intellectual rigour. Some institutes of higher education do not confer honorary degrees as a matter of policy—see [[#Institutions_not_awarding_honorary_degrees|below]]. Some learned societies award honorary fellowships in the same way as honorary degrees are awarded by universities, for similar reasons.

===Practical use=== [[File:Ezra Stiles George Washington Honorary Degree.jpg|thumb|Letter from [[Ezra Stiles]] to [[George Washington]] announcing the awarding of an honorary degree to Washington by the president and fellows of [[Yale College]] (1781)]]

A typical example of university regulations is, "Honorary graduates may use the approved post-nominal letters. It is not customary, however, for recipients of an honorary doctorate to adopt the prefix 'Dr.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brookes.ac.uk/uniregulations/current/acadregulations/specific/b3procedure_for_award_of_honorary_degrees.pdf |title=Oxford Brooks University Regulations |access-date=2012-04-03 |archive-date=8 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808041009/https://www.brookes.ac.uk/uniregulations/current/acadregulations/specific/b3procedure_for_award_of_honorary_degrees.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is generally considered improper practice for an honorary doctor to use the formal title of "Doctor," regardless of the background circumstances for the award. Written communications where an honorary doctorate has been awarded may include the letters "h.c." after the award to indicate that status.

The recipient of an honorary degree may add the degree title [[postnominal]]ly, but it should{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} always be made clear that the degree is honorary by adding "honorary" or "honoris causa" or "h.c." in [[Bracket#Parentheses|parentheses]] after the degree title. In some countries, a person who holds an honorary doctorate may use the title "Doctor" [[prenominal]]ly, abbreviated "Dr.h.c." or "Dr.(h.c.)". Sometimes, they use "Hon" before the degree letters, for example, "Hon DMus".

In recent years, some universities have adopted entirely separate postnominal titles for honorary degrees. This is in part due to the confusion that honorary degrees have caused. For example, an honorary doctorate from the [[Auckland University of Technology]] takes the special title ''HonD'' since it is now common in certain countries to use certain degrees, such as LLD or HonD, as purely honorary. Some universities, including the [[Open University]], grant Doctor of the University (DUniv) degrees to selected nominees, while awarding PhD or EdD degrees to those who have fulfilled the academic requirements.

Most American universities award the degrees of LLD ([[Doctor of Laws]]), LittD ([[Doctor of Letters]]), LHD ([[Doctor of Humane Letters]]), ScD ([[Doctor of Science]]), PedD (Doctor of Pedagogy) and DD ([[Doctor of Divinity]]) only as honorary degrees. American universities do not have the system of "higher doctorates" used in the UK and some other universities around the world.

===Customary degrees (''ad eundem'' or ''jure officii'' degrees)=== {{See also|List of honorary degrees}}An ''[[ad eundem degree|ad eundem]]'' or ''jure officii'' degree is sometimes considered honorary, although these are only conferred on an individual who has already achieved a comparable qualification at another university or attained an office requiring the appropriate level of scholarship.

Some universities and colleges have the custom of awarding a master's degree to every scholar appointed as a full professor, who had never earned a degree there. At the universities of Oxford, [[University of Dublin|Dublin]] and Cambridge, many senior staff are granted the degree of Master of Arts after three years of service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/2011/chapter02-section6.html|author=University of Cambridge|author-link=University of Cambridge|title=Statutes and Ordinances II.6: Status of Master of Arts|access-date=2013-03-08|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703151612/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/so/2011/chapter02-section6.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tcd.ie/registrar/assets/pdf/MA%20jo%20Form.pdf|title=Master in Arts (jure officii) form|publisher=[[University of Dublin]]|access-date=19 April 2015|archive-date=29 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729042813/http://www.tcd.ie/registrar/assets/pdf/MA%20jo%20Form.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the United States, at Amherst, Wesleyan, and Yale, the AM ''ad eundem'' degree is conferred upon those who rise to the rank of [[Professors in the United States#Tenured and tenure-track positions|full professor]]. At Brown and Harvard the degrees are awarded to those faculty who are granted [[Academic tenure in North America|tenure]] and the rank of associate professor, usually after approximately eight years of service to the university as an assistant professor or for a shorter amount of time for a professor with prior service at another university.

Similarly, a ''jure dignitatis'' degree is awarded to someone who has demonstrated eminence and scholarship by being appointed to a particular office. Thus, for example, a DD (Doctor of Divinity) might be conferred upon a bishop on the occasion of his consecration, or a judge created [[Legum Doctor|LLD]] (Legum Doctor) or [[Doctor of Civil Law|DCL]] (Doctor of Civil Law) upon their appointment to the judicial bench.

=== Honorary degrees in Australia === In Australia, honorary doctorates are purely titular degrees in that they confer no rights on the recipient and carry with them no formal academic qualification. Institutions of higher education generally ask that recipients "refrain from adopting the misleading title"<ref name="McNeilage">{{cite news |last=McNeilage |first=Amy |title=Ian Thorpe now Dr Thorpedo, man of letters |access-date=4 October 2014 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/ian-thorpe-now-dr-thorpedo-man-of-letters-20141002-10ozg8.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=4–5 October 2014 |page=31 |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006170431/http://www.smh.com.au/national/ian-thorpe-now-dr-thorpedo-man-of-letters-20141002-10ozg8.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and that a recipient of an honorary doctorate should restrict the use of the [[Doctor (title)|title "Dr"]] before their name to any engagement with the institution of higher education in question and not within the broader community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usq.edu.au/~/media/USQ/About-USQ/About%20us/Honorary%20Doctorate%20Guidelines%20FINAL_29%20May%202012.ashx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725094013/https://www.usq.edu.au/~/media/USQ/About-USQ/About%20us/Honorary%20Doctorate%20Guidelines%20FINAL_29%20May%202012.ashx |archive-date=2017-07-25 |title=Honorary Doctorate Guidelines |date=2012 |publisher=University of Southern Queensland}}</ref>

=== Honorary Degree in Brazil ===

The title of '''Doctor Honoris Causa''' is one of the highest distinctions an educational institution can grant, intended to recognize outstanding individuals in scientific, cultural, social, artistic, or humanitarian fields. However, in [[Brazil]], this title is honorary rather than academic in nature, meaning it does not confer rights or responsibilities equivalent to those of a ''stricto sensu'' doctorate obtained through research and thesis defense.

There is no specific law in the Brazilian legal system regulating the awarding of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa. Because it is not a formal academic degree, its conferral does not require approval by the [[Ministry of Education (Brazil)|Ministry of Education (MEC)]]. Therefore, any [[higher education in Brazil|educational institution]] can establish its own regulations and criteria for awarding honors, as long as it operates within the university autonomy in Brazil guaranteed by [https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/constituicao.htm Article 207 of the Federal Constitution], which ensures universities freedom in teaching, science, administration, and financial and asset management.

Higher education institutions such as [https://www.faculdadefabic.edu.br/ Faculdade do Bico (FABIC)], [https://fug.edu.br/ Faculdade União de Goyazes Formosa (FUG)], [[Federal University of Rio de Janeiro|Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)]], and [https://www.faculdadeintervale.edu.br/ Faculdade Intervale] have already awarded Doctor Honoris Causa (Dr. HC) degrees on various occasions.

Thus, by granting honorary degrees, Brazilian institutions exercise their freedom to recognize significant contributions to society and the advancement of knowledge, strengthening their institutional mission and reaffirming the symbolic and cultural value of the distinction.

===Institutions not awarding honorary degrees=== Some US universities such as the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT),<ref name="MIT">{{cite web | url = http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2001/commdegrees.html | title = No honorary degrees is an MIT tradition going back to ... Thomas Jefferson | publisher = MIT News Office | date = 2001-06-08 | access-date = 2006-05-07 | archive-date = 14 April 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060414025857/http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2001/commdegrees.html | url-status = live }}:"MIT's founder, William Barton Rogers, regarded the practice of giving honorary degrees as 'literary almsgiving ... of spurious merit and noisy popularity...' Rogers was a geologist from the University of Virginia who believed in Thomas Jefferson's policy barring honorary degrees at the university, which was founded in 1819."</ref> [[Cornell University]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Dear Uncle Ezra, Cornell University |url=https://ezra.cornell.edu/posting.php?timestamp=1052974800#question19 |title=Dear Uncle Ezra – Questions for Thursday, 15 May 2003 – Cornell University |publisher=Ezra.cornell.edu |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=25 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825190643/http://ezra.cornell.edu/posting.php?timestamp=1052974800#question19 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Stanford University]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://registrar.stanford.edu/bulletin/4913.htm |title=Stanford Bulletin: Conferral of Degrees |publisher=Registrar.stanford.edu |access-date=2010-09-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228213935/http://registrar.stanford.edu/bulletin/4913.htm |archive-date=28 December 2011 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin0809/4913.htm |title=Stanford Bulletin 2008/2009: Conferral of Degrees |publisher=Stanford.edu |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=26 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626072906/http://www.stanford.edu/dept/registrar/bulletin0809/4913.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Rice University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rice.edu/projects/thresher/issues/88/01.03.30/current/news/story0.html |title=The Rice Thresher Online &#124; NEWS &#124; Cosby to speak at '02 graduation |publisher=Rice.edu |date=2002-05-11 |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=18 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618183453/http://www.rice.edu/projects/thresher/issues/88/01.03.30/current/news/story0.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> do not award honorary degrees as a matter of policy. The [[University of Virginia]] (founded in 1819) was probably the first US university to explicitly have a policy of not awarding honorary degrees at the request of its founder, [[Thomas Jefferson]].<ref name="MIT" /><ref name="UVAreg">{{cite web | url = http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/records/95gradrec/greg.html#honor | title = Chapter 4: University Regulations: Honorary Degrees | year = 1995 | access-date = 2006-05-07 | author = Rector and Visitors of The University of Virginia | publisher = Rector and Visitors of The University of Virginia | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060831033659/http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/records/95gradrec/greg.html#honor | archive-date = 31 August 2006 | df = dmy-all}} "The University of Virginia does not award honorary degrees. In conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, the University presents the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture and the Thomas Jefferson Award in Law each spring. The awards, recognizing excellence in two fields of interest to Jefferson, constitute the University's highest recognition of scholars outside the University."</ref> In 1845, [[William Barton Rogers]], then chairman of the faculty, vigorously defended this policy; in 1861, he founded MIT in Boston and continued this practice.<ref name="MIT" /><ref name="barton-mit-founding">{{cite web |url=http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/exhibits/wbr-visionary/ |title=William Barton Rogers: MIT's Visionary Founder |work=Exhibits: Institute Archives & Special Collections: MIT Libraries |last1=Andrews |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Murphy |first2=Nora |last3=Rosko |first3=Tom |access-date=2008-05-16 |archive-date=12 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512091317/http://libraries.mit.edu/archives/exhibits/wbr-visionary/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The University of Virginia does annually award Thomas Jefferson Medals in Architecture and in Law, as the highest honours accorded by that institution.<ref name="UVAreg" /><ref name="UVa">{{cite web|title=U.Va. To Bestow Annual Thomas Jefferson Medals For Architecture And Law|url=http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2001/tjaward-april-3-2001.html|work=University of Virginia News|publisher=Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia|access-date=8 March 2013|date=3 April 2001|archive-date=8 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008162345/http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2001/tjaward-april-3-2001.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Stanford Alumni Association occasionally awards the ''Degree of Uncommon Man/Woman'' to individuals who have given "rare and exceptional service" to the university.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stanfordalumni.org/volunteer/assoc/awards/umwa.html |title=Stanford University—Degree of Uncommon Man and Uncommon Woman Award |publisher=Stanfordalumni.org |access-date=2012-04-03 |archive-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616183130/http://www.stanfordalumni.org/volunteer/assoc/awards/umwa.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Though [[UCLA]] has imposed a moratorium on awarding honorary degrees, it honours notable people with the UCLA Medal instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adminpolicies.ucla.edu/app/Default.aspx?&id=140 |title=UCLA Policy 140: Awarding of the UCLA Medal |publisher=Adminpolicies.ucla.edu |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=6 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706081629/http://www.adminpolicies.ucla.edu/app/Default.aspx?&id=140 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[St. John's College (Annapolis/Santa Fe)|St. John's College]] has not granted honorary degrees since 1936, but its [[alumni association]] occasionally offers honorary membership to retiring faculty, staff, and other close associates of the college.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.stjohnscollege.edu/pages/alumni-association/alumni-association---honorees|title=Honorees of the Alumni Association|access-date=2015-03-28|publisher=St. John's College|archive-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225042244/http://community.stjohnscollege.edu/pages/alumni-association/alumni-association---honorees|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversy== [[File:1975 Elena Ceausescu Honoris Causa Manilla.jpg|thumb|right|[[Elena Ceauşescu]] becoming [[Doctor (title)|Doctor]] Honoris Causa of the [[University of Manila]], [[Philippines]], in 1975]]

Some universities and colleges have been accused of granting honorary degrees in exchange for large donations.<ref name="Arenson">{{cite news |last1=Arenson |first1=Karen |date=31 May 1999 |title=Recognizing Achievement, Adding Glitz |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/31/nyregion/recognizing-achievement-adding-glitz.html?pagewanted=1 |access-date=24 April 2024 |archive-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424200302/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/31/nyregion/recognizing-achievement-adding-glitz.html?pagewanted=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Honorary degree recipients, particularly those who have no prior academic qualifications, have sometimes been criticized if they insist on being called "Doctor" as a result of their award, as the [[honorific]] may mislead the general public about their qualifications.

In 1985, as a deliberate [[snub]], the University of Oxford voted to refuse [[Margaret Thatcher]] an honorary degree in protest against her cuts in funding for higher education.<ref>BBC News "On this day archive" 29 January 1985 [https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/low/dates/stories/january/29/newsid_2506000/2506019.stm ''Thatcher snubbed by Oxford dons''], ''BBC News''. Retrieved 9 April 2007.</ref> This award had previously been given to all [[prime minister]]s who had been educated at Oxford.

The Philosophy Faculty at Cambridge courted controversy among the academic community in March 1992, when three of its members posed a temporary veto against the awarding of an honorary doctorate to [[Jacques Derrida]];<ref name="Francis06p77">{{cite book|last=Wheen|first=Francis|title=''How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered the World''|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2006|isbn=0-00-714097-5|page=77}}</ref> they and other non-Cambridge proponents of [[analytic philosophy]] protested against the granting on the grounds that Derrida's work "did not conform with accepted measures of academic rigor." Although the university eventually passed the motion, the episode did more to draw attention to the continuing antipathy between the analytic (of which Cambridge's faculty is a leading exponent) and the post-[[Hegelianism|Hegelian]] [[continental philosophy|continental]] philosophical traditions (with which Derrida's work is more closely associated).

In 1996, [[Stony Brook Southampton|Southampton College]] at [[Long Island University]] (now a campus of [[Stony Brook University]]) awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Amphibious Letters to [[Muppet]] [[Kermit the Frog]]. Although some students objected to awarding a degree to a Muppet, Kermit delivered an enjoyable commencement address and the small college received considerable press coverage.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.southampton.liu.edu/news/commence/1996/kermit.htm|title=Southampton College News: Kermit's Commencement Address at Southampton College |website= southampton.liu.edu|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080130032057/http://www.southampton.liu.edu/news/commence/1996/kermit.htm|archive-date=30 January 2008|access-date=2010-09-05| df= dmy-all}}</ref> The degree was conferred in recognition of efforts in the area of [[environmentalism]]. The university stated: "His theme song, '[[It's Not Easy Bein' Green]],' has become a rallying cry of the environmental movement. Kermit has used his celebrity to spread positive messages in public service announcements for the [[National Wildlife Federation]], [[National Park Service]], the Better World Society, and others."<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.southampton.liunet.edu/news/pressrel/pr96/commence.htm| title= Kermit the Frog named 1996 Commencement Speaker at Southampton College| website= southampton.liunet.edu| access-date= 10 June 2008}}</ref>{{New archival link needed|date=April 2026}}

The awarding of an honorary degree to political figures can prompt protests from faculty or students. In 2001, [[George W. Bush]] received an honorary degree from [[Yale University]], where he had earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1968. Some students and faculty chose to boycott the university's 300th [[Commencement speech|commencement]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=digest&contentId=A57583-2001May21|title=Yale Boycott|date=2001-05-22|access-date=2010-09-05|work=Washingtonpost.com|archive-date=10 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810160147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/?pagename=article&node=digest&contentId=A57583-2001May21|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Andrew Card]], who served as Bush's [[White House Chief of Staff|Chief of Staff]] from 2001 to 2006, ultimately chose not to speak when the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] awarded him an honorary degree in 2007, in response to protests from students and faculty at the commencement ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/05/26/umass_faculty_students_boo_card/|title=UMass faculty, students boo Card|date=26 May 2007|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=28 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528073836/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/05/26/umass_faculty_students_boo_card/|archive-date=28 May 2007}}</ref>

In 2005 at the [[University of Western Ontario]], [[Henry Morgentaler]], a gynecologist involved in a legal case decriminalizing abortion in Canada (''[[R. v. Morgentaler]]''), was made an honorary Doctor of Laws. Over 12,000 signatures were acquired asking the UWO to reverse its decision to honor Morgentaler.<ref>{{cite news |title=Abortion rights crusader Henry Morgentaler, revered and hated, dead at 90 |type=obituary |first=Sandra |last=Martin |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/abortion-rights-crusader-henry-morgentaler-revered-and-hated-dead-at-90/article12221564/?page=all |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=29 May 2013 |access-date=4 August 2013 |location=Toronto |archive-date=15 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115192953/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/abortion-rights-crusader-henry-morgentaler-revered-and-hated-dead-at-90/article12221564/?page=all |url-status=live }}</ref> Several protest rallies were held, including one on the day the honorary degree was bestowed (a counter petition to support Morgentaler's degree gained 10,000 signatures).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/abortion-access-has-helped-make-society-safer-morgentaler-1.533208 |title=Abortion access has helped make society safer: Morgentaler |publisher=CBC |date=2005-06-16 |access-date=2015-03-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201232847/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2005/06/16/morgentaler050616.html |archive-date=2008-02-01}}</ref>

In 2007, protesters demanded that the [[University of Edinburgh]] revoke an honorary degree awarded to [[Zimbabwe]]an leader [[Robert Mugabe]] in 1984. The university subsequently revealed plans to review its honorary degree policy and strip certain figures of their honorary degrees who did not deserve them. When considering revoking the honorary degree of a political figure, such reasons as [[human rights abuse]] or [[political corruption]] would be considered. As a result, it was announced that Mugabe had been stripped of his honorary degree. The university also planned to have a more rigorous selection procedure regarding potential recipients of honorary degrees, in an attempt to rectify the trend of awarding degrees to celebrities.<ref>{{cite news | last = MacLeod | first = Murdo | title = Degree of anger at roll of dishonour | newspaper = The Scotsman | date = 14 January 2007 | url = http://www.scotsman.com/news/degree-of-anger-at-roll-of-dishonour-1-1425999 | location = Edinburgh | access-date = 30 October 2016 | archive-date = 31 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161031105151/http://www.scotsman.com/news/degree-of-anger-at-roll-of-dishonour-1-1425999 | url-status = live }}</ref> Students at the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] also asked the university to revoke the honorary degree that was awarded to Mugabe over twenty years ago, and on 12 June 2008 the trustees unanimously rescinded Robert Mugabe's honorary degree.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://archive.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/04/06/umass_students_aim_to_revoke_honorary_degree_for_mugabe/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=UMass students aim to revoke honorary degree for Mugabe | first1=James | last1=Vaznis | date=6 April 2007 | access-date=15 May 2007 | archive-date=2 December 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202205825/http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2007/04/06/umass_students_aim_to_revoke_honorary_degree_for_mugabe/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author-first=Robert P.|author-last= Connolly|url=http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/76038.php |title=UMass Mugabe |publisher=Umass.edu |date=2008-06-12 |access-date=2010-09-05 |archive-date=13 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313192522/http://www.umass.edu/newsoffice/newsreleases/articles/76038.php |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Michigan State University]] has also rescinded its honorary degree.<ref name="mugabe_degrees">{{cite news|title=Things you may not know about Robert Mugabe|url=http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/04/02/things-you-may-not-know-about-robert-mugabe|access-date=29 September 2015|work=Sowetan Live|date=2 April 2014|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930130723/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2014/04/02/things-you-may-not-know-about-robert-mugabe|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2009, Arizona State University's president, [[Michael M. Crow]], refused to give an honorary degree to US President [[Barack Obama]] for his lack of adequate qualifying achievements thus far.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=CNN|access-date=2009-05-16|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/13/obama.commencement/|title=Obama turns controversy into jokes, lesson at commencement|date=14 May 2009|archive-date=17 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090517211856/http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/13/obama.commencement/|url-status=live}}</ref> Also, controversy<ref name="test">[http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/what-we-do/street-campaigns/notre-dame-how-the-gold-dome-tarnished.html controversy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617235633/http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/what-we-do/street-campaigns/notre-dame-how-the-gold-dome-tarnished.html |date=17 June 2010 }}, How the Gold Dome Tarnished, TFP Student Action, 05-21-09.</ref> was ignited about Notre Dame awarding Obama an honorary degree, as the institution is Roman Catholic and Obama holds [[pro-choice]] views on abortion and supports [[embryonic stem cell]] research.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/17/church_and_state_obama_and_notre_dame/|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=2009-05-17|title=Church and state; Obama and Notre Dame|author=Storin, Matthew V.|date=17 May 2009|archive-date=20 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520170554/http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/05/17/church_and_state_obama_and_notre_dame/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2012, [[Rosmah Mansor]], the wife of the [[Prime Minister of Malaysia]], [[Najib Razak]] was controversially awarded an honorary doctorate by the [[Curtin University]] for "services to childhood education".<ref name="theaustralian.com.au">{{cite news | url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/honorary-doctorate-to-razaks-wife-creates-controversy/story-e6frgcjx-1226277493337 | work=The Australian | title=Honorary doctorate to Najib Razak's wife creates controversy | date=2012-02-22 | access-date=11 July 2012 | archive-date=22 February 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222044048/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/honorary-doctorate-to-razaks-wife-creates-controversy/story-e6frgcjx-1226277493337 | url-status=live }}</ref> The university honored Rosmah for founding and driving the Permata early childhood centres in Malaysia although some alumni and students contended that the government-funded centres are "an abuse of taxpayers' money".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12943247/students-protest-over-malaysia-doctorate/|title=Students protest over Malaysia doctorate|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-date=25 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225144332/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/12943247/students-protest-over-malaysia-doctorate/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Over 50 honorary degrees awarded to [[Bill Cosby]] have been [[List of honorary degrees awarded to Bill Cosby|rescinded]] due to allegations and lawsuits of sexual assault.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brown revokes Bill Cosby's honorary degree |url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2015/09/brown-revokes-bill-cosby-s-honorary-degree |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=The Brown Daily Herald |language=en-US |archive-date=13 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613042441/https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2015/09/brown-revokes-bill-cosby-s-honorary-degree |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-14 |title=Lehigh rescinds Cosby's honorary degree |url=https://thebrownandwhite.com/2015/10/14/lehigh-rescinds-bill-cosby-honorary-degree/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=The Brown and White |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527104640/https://thebrownandwhite.com/2015/10/14/lehigh-rescinds-bill-cosby-honorary-degree/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2023}}

In December 2022, the [[School of the Art Institute of Chicago]] rescinded an honorary doctorate awarded to rapper [[Kanye West]] after [[Views of Kanye West#2022|a series of racist and antisemitic remarks made by West]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owoseje |first=Toyin |date=2022-12-09 |title=Kanye West's honorary doctorate rescinded by prestigious Chicago art college |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/kanye-west-honorary-degree-rescinded-intl-scli/index.html |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516194118/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/kanye-west-honorary-degree-rescinded-intl-scli/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Use of title associated with honorary doctorates== By convention, recipients of honorary doctorates do not use the title "Dr" in general correspondence. Recipients are not addressed orally or in writing as "Dr" by other academic institutions – and not correctly addressed as "Dr" in their professional/personal life. They continue to be addressed orally and in writing with the form of address to which they entitled prior to receiving the honor. E.g., Mr./Ms./Mrs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://honorarydegrees.wvu.edu/history|title=The Honorary Degree|publisher=[[West Virginia University]]|quote=[H]onorary degree recipients should not refer to themselves as "Doctor", nor should they use the title on business cards or in correspondence. However, the recipient is entitled to use the appropriate honorary abbreviation behind his or her name|access-date=14 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330034606/http://honorarydegrees.wvu.edu/history|archive-date=30 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.formsofaddress.info/Degree_Honorary.html|title=How to Address Those With Honorary Degrees|publisher=Protocol School of Washington|access-date=14 March 2015|archive-date=11 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311033655/http://www.formsofaddress.info/Degree_Honorary.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, this [[social convention]] is not always scrupulously observed.<ref name="Mannheim">{{cite news |last1=Mannheim |first1=Markus |date=19 November 2014 |title=Universities tell Finance Department head Jane Halton to stop calling herself 'professor' |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/universities-tell-finance-department-head-jane-halton-to-stop-calling-herself-professor-20141119-11pk93.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120133236/http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/universities-tell-finance-department-head-jane-halton-to-stop-calling-herself-professor-20141119-11pk93.html |archive-date=20 November 2014}}</ref> Notable people who have used the honorary prefix include:

* [[Maya Angelou]], a memoirist and poet, had no earned degrees, but she received dozens of honorary ones and she preferred to be called "Dr. Angelou" by people other than family and close friends.<ref>Gillespie, Marcia Ann, Rosa Johnson Butler, and Richard A. Long. (2008). Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration. New York: Random House. {{ISBN|978-0-385-51108-7}}</ref> * [[Stephen Colbert]], who received an honorary doctorate in fine arts from [[Knox College (Illinois)|Knox College]] in 2006, frequently made light of the concept of an "honorary doctor" by offering up scurrilous medical advice in a segment called "Cheating Death With Dr. Stephen Colbert, D.F.A." on his television program ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' after being awarded a D.F.A.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/12/18/farewell-to-cheating-death-with-dr-stephen-colbert-one-of-late-nights-funniest-bits/|title=Farewell to 'Cheating Death with Dr. Stephen Colbert,' one of late-night's funniest bits|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=10 June 2017|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407184420/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/12/18/farewell-to-cheating-death-with-dr-stephen-colbert-one-of-late-nights-funniest-bits/|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Benjamin Franklin]] received an honorary master's degree from [[The College of William and Mary]] in 1756, and doctorates from the [[University of St. Andrews]] in 1759 and the University of Oxford in 1762 for his scientific accomplishments. He thereafter referred to himself as "Doctor Franklin".<ref>[http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php/Honorary_degree_recipients Honorary degree recipients] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705165157/http://scrc.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php/Honorary_degree_recipients |date=5 July 2008}} on the Special Collections Research Center Wiki</ref> * [[Alan García]], former Peruvian president and politician, for many years used the title of "Dr." in official presentations as head of state and as a civilian throughout his political career. Heavily criticized by the media when discovering his last degree to be a master's in economic development and not completing his doctoral studies in law, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the [[University of Delhi]] in 1987, while making an official visit to [[India]] in his first term as president.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/abogado-alan-garcia-ex-presidente-obtuvo-doctorado-forma-no-convencional-n170496/|title=Abogado de García: Ex presidente obtuvo doctorado de forma "no convencional"|website=América Noticias|access-date=11 March 2018|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808003517/https://www.americatv.com.pe/noticias/actualidad/abogado-alan-garcia-ex-presidente-obtuvo-doctorado-forma-no-convencional-n170496/|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Samuel Johnson]], an author and lexicographer, who had some years earlier been unable (due to financial considerations) to complete his undergraduate studies at [[Pembroke College, Oxford]], was awarded the degree of Master of Arts by diploma in 1755, in recognition of his scholarly achievements.<ref>{{cite journal|title=About Samuel Johnson|url=http://www.thesamueljohnsonprize.co.uk/node/340|journal=Thesamueljohnsonprize.co.uk|access-date=16 June 2014|archive-date=16 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516004826/http://www.thesamueljohnsonprize.co.uk/node/340|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1765, [[Trinity College, Dublin]] awarded him the degree of Doctor of Laws<ref>{{cite journal|title=Dr. Johnson|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/305432/Samuel-Johnson/14771/Dr-Johnson|website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=23 June 2022|archive-date=23 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723012100/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/305432/Samuel-Johnson/14771/Dr-Johnson/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 1775 Oxford bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Civil Law by diploma.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Brute Johnson: A Critical Look at the Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, L.L.D.|url=http://www.hamiltoninstitute.com/brute-johnson-a-critical-look-at-the-life-of-dr-samuel-johnson-l-l-d/|website=hamiltoninstitute.com|date=12 August 2008|access-date=16 June 2014|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123831/http://www.hamiltoninstitute.com/brute-johnson-a-critical-look-at-the-life-of-dr-samuel-johnson-l-l-d/|url-status=live}}</ref> Although Johnson's doctorates were honorary, he was commonly referred to as "Dr. Johnson". * [[Edwin H. Land]], who invented the [[Land Camera]] [[instant camera]], and was a co-founder of the [[Polaroid Corporation]], received an honorary doctorate from Harvard University and was often referred to as "Dr. Land", though he did not have any earned degree.<ref>Bonanos, Christopher (2012). Instant: The Story of Polaroid, Princeton Architectural Press, p. 13. {{ISBN|978-1616890858}}</ref> * [[Richard Stallman]], the founder of the [[Free Software Foundation]] in the field of [[information technology]], has been awarded fourteen honorary doctorates from various international educational institutions from 1996 through 2014 including the North American [[Lakehead University]] in 2009, and now refers to himself as "Dr. Richard Stallman" in speeches, talks, videos, and email.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRVzZogu3qU | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/TRVzZogu3qU| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Richard Stallman given first honorary doctorate by a North American university |publisher=YouTube |date=2009-05-30 |access-date=2012-03-05}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/ghm-discuss/2011-12/msg00025.html |title=Richard Stallman responding to an email list using "Dr. Richard Stallman" |website=Lists.gnu.org |access-date=2012-03-05 |archive-date=14 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114194714/http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/ghm-discuss/2011-12/msg00025.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrWlvoMMoM | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324210510/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZrWlvoMMoM| archive-date=2012-03-24|title=At 1:22 introduced as 'Dr. Stallman' |website=YouTube |date=2011-09-13 |access-date=2012-03-05}}</ref> * [[Sukarno]], the first president of [[Indonesia]], was awarded 26 honorary doctorates from various international universities including [[Columbia University]], the [[University of Michigan]], the [[University of Berlin]], the [[Al-Azhar University]], the [[University of Belgrade]], the [[Lomonosov University]] and many more; and also from domestic universities, including the [[Universitas Gadjah Mada]], the [[Universitas Indonesia]], the [[Bandung Institute of Technology]], and the [[Universitas Padjadjaran]]. He had often been referred to by the [[Indonesian Government]] at the time as "Dr. Ir. Sukarno",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tatanusa.co.id/tapmpr/67TAPMPRS-XXXIII.pdf |title=Ketetapan Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat Sementara Republik Indonesia No.XXXIII/MPRS/1967 Tentang Pencabutan Kekuasaan Pemerintah Negara Dari Presiden Sukarno |access-date=2013-09-07 |archive-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813071935/http://tatanusa.co.id/tapmpr/67TAPMPRS-XXXIII.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> combined with his [[Engineer's degree#The Netherlands|engineer's degree]] ([[Ingenieur|Ir.]]) from [[Bandung Institute of Technology]].

==See also== * [[Academic degree]] * [[Freedom of the City]] * [[Homage (arts)|Homage]] * [[Latin honors]]

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Academic degrees}} {{Phaleristics}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honorary Degree}} [[Category:Honorary degrees| ]] [[Category:Doctoral degrees]]