HONORARY DOCTORATE
Nomination & Selection Process
An honorary degree is MacEwan University’s highest accolade and is awarded to individuals whose character and exceptional accomplishments—whether in intellect, the arts, athletics or community service—embody a standard of excellence that merits special recognition.
The Post-secondary Learning Act grants MacEwan University the authority to award honorary degrees.
Nomination guidelines
Honorary doctorate nominations are accepted on a continuous basis and reviewed quarterly. Anyone may nominate a candidate for an honorary doctorate, and nominations are accepted year round. Normally excluded from consideration are those currently holding elected office, as well as current members of the University community.
To nominate an eligible individual, submit the nomination form and the following accompanying documents to the Office of University Governance.
In 500 words or less, outline how the nominee exemplifies the characteristics of an honorary doctorate recipient through their education, career, community involvement and past recognition.
In 1000 words or less, introduce the nominee and highlight their major accomplishments, as well as their impact on the community, profession and society. Demonstrate how these contributions support their candidacy for an honorary doctorate and establish them as an inspiring role model for students and alumni.
Provide letters of reference, each up to 1000 words, from at least two distinguished referees who are not the nominator. These letters should detail the referees’ familiarity with the nominee, offering insights into the nominee’s achievements, character, impact in their field and community and contributions through service and volunteering.
Submit your nomination
MacEwan University celebrates remarkable individuals who have had a transformative impact in their communities or professions and represent diverse backgrounds and fields of endeavour.
Once you have completed your honorary doctorate nomination form and accompanying documents, submit them to the Office of University Governance.
In hard copy to:
Chair, Honorary Doctorate Selection Committee
Office of University Governance
7-210D, 10700 – 104 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4S2
OR in digital copy to:
Submission deadlines
Nominations for honorary doctorates are accepted continuously and may be awarded at the Spring or Fall convocation ceremonies. Although nominations are accepted year round, it is recommended that nominations be submitted by the 1st of September, November, February or May for timely consideration.
This schedule outlines the dates that the Honorary Doctorate Selection Committee meets to review submissions for 2024/25.
| Meeting date |
|---|
| Friday, September 13, 2024 |
| Friday, November 8, 2024 |
| Friday, February 14, 2025 |
| Friday, May 2, 2025 |
Selection process
The Honorary Doctorates Policy and the Honorary Doctorates Procedure guide the selection of honorary doctorate recipients. These are the steps in the process:
Nominations are sent to the Honorary Doctorate Selection Committee through the Office of University Governance. Nominations are accepted on a continuous basis.
The Honorary Doctorate Selection Committee reviews submitted nominations and selects nominee(s) for consideration by the Board of Governors.
Following the Board of Governors’ approval, the Office of the President contacts successful recipient(s) to confirm their acceptance.
Once accepted, the Office of University Governance works with the recipient(s) to prepare for their convocation ceremony. At the ceremony, the University Chancellor confers the honorary doctorate, and the recipient(s) address the graduates.
Honorary doctorate selection committee
Honorary doctorate nominations are reviewed by a committee that represents areas of the MacEwan community, with significant representation from the academy. The committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Governors, which then makes the final selection. The committee includes:
- Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, Chair
- Craig Monk, Provost & Vice-President, Academic
- Anthony Fields, Chancellor
- David Danto, General Faculties Council (Dean)
- Joan Morrison, General Faculties Council (Faculty)
- Lucio Gelmini, General Faculties Council (Faculty)
- Melissa Hills, General Faculties Council (Faculty)
- Darcy Hoogers, General Faculties Council (Student)
- Carley Jewell, Alumni Association
- Kristie Benson, MacEwan Staff Association