Honorary Degree Recipients

Record Group

Identifier: RG14-03A

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This record group contains materials pertaining to the Honorary Degrees awarded by the College. It is arranged into the following three series: Honorary Degree Recipients; Honorary Degree Nominees; and Master Degree Recipients.

The first series, Honorary Degree Recipients, contains items pertaining to the individuals who have been awarded Honorary Degrees beginning in 1899. This includes nomination information, the citation, newspaper clippings and biographical information. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by the recipient’s last name. The dates listed are the year or date of the commencement in which the individual received the award.

Materials regarding Honorary Degree nominees are found in the second series. Biographical information about the nominees also is found. In additional to items pertaining to individual nominees, there are lists of nominees. This series is arranged in chronological order.

The final series pertains to Master Degree recipients, which are no longer awarded by the College. This series is arranged is alphabetical order by the recipient’s last name.

Dates

Event: 1899 - November 9, 2018

Conditions Governing Access

Consult with Archivist.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials believed to be under copyright or other restrictions are available for limited noncommercial, educational and personal use only, or for fair use as defined by United States copyright law and with proper citation. Please note that the College of the Holy Cross may not hold the rights to all items in this collection. Users assume responsibility for identifying all copyright holders and for determining whether permission is needed to make any use of the content. For permission under rights held by the College, please contact archives@holycross.edu.

Historical Note

The College of the Holy Cross began the tradition of assigning honorary degrees in 1851. Honorary degrees are traditionally presented at the Commencement Exercises. This honor is reserved for distinguished individuals who reflect the values of Mission Statement, who have achieved notable accomplishments in their life’s work or service, and who — in turn — bring honor to the College by their presence on campus. One of these degree recipients typically delivers the principal address to the graduating seniors.