Linfield University recognizes and honors the significant achievements of individuals who have made a major contribution in the field of education or to the arts, humanities, sciences, business, government, or religion. Although the university is under no obligation to award an honorary doctorate during any given year, appropriate nominations are accepted each year.

Criteria for Selection

• Individuals who have made a significant contribution to society and/or to their profession may be nominated.
• The nominee’s accomplishments should have some relevance to Linfield University and higher education.
• The nominee should be compatible with the objectives and values of the university.

Nomination and Selection Procedures

• Faculty, administrators, trustees, alumni executive board members, and students are invited to submit the names of possible candidates to the President’s Office. These submissions should include a statement of the candidate’s qualifications and background information.
• The President appoints a representative committee (composed of faculty, trustees, administrators, and students) which screens the nominations and recommends the most appropriate for consideration.
• The names of finalists will be submitted to the faculty for review and discussion. After considering the comments, the committee will forward final nominations for approval to the Executive Committee, and then to the full board.
• Up to three nominees and their alternates may be submitted to the Board of Trustees during any academic year. If the following pertains, the nominee will automatically be carried forward to the next year’s list of nominees: a) they were nominated in the present year, or b) they made the combined list of candidates and alternatives but was not selected to receive a degree.

Implementation

Once approved by the Board of Trustees, the President contacts the candidate to offer the honorary doctorate. If the candidate accepts, the degree may be conferred at one of the two succeeding occasions: baccalaureate or commencement. Alternatively, the degree may be conferred at other special occasions within the two years following approval by the trustees.

Once the candidate has agreed to accept the award, the announcement is made by the President.