McMurry University may grant honorary doctoral degrees to recognize extraordinary service to the University, the United Methodist Church, or humanity through professional achievement or voluntary service. Each recipient’s accomplishments must demonstrate a clear relationship with McMurry or align with the University’s mission.

Nominations

• Faculty, staff, administration, trustees, alums, Methodist leadership, and friends of McMurry may submit nominations.

• Nominations must be sent to the President’s Office no later than January 15 for May and summer commencement candidates and August 15 for winter commencement candidates.

Review and Recommendation Process

1. The President reviews nominations with an appropriate faculty group, adds comments, and forwards them to the Trusteeship Committee of the Board of Trustees by February 10 or September 10.

2. The Trusteeship Committee receives nominations, may generate additional nominations, and evaluates the level of support. The Committee then makes recommendations to the full Board of Trustees.

3. The Board of Trustees votes on the nominations. Each candidate must receive a two-thirds favorable vote from trustees in attendance.

Limitations on Awards

• The Board may award up to three honorary degrees in an academic year.

• To maintain focus on students earning degrees, no more than two honorary degrees should be awarded at a single commencement.

• The University is not obligated to make honorary awards every year.

Degree Guidelines
The Trusteeship Committee recommends specific degrees based on the candidate’s field of distinction:

• Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) – Politics, public service, or law

• Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) – Science or engineering

• Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) – Religion

• Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) – Arts, humanities, philanthropy (especially when the candidate does not hold an earned degree)

• Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.) – Musicians, actors, architects, and artists

• Doctor of Literature (Litt.D.) – Literature and drama

• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) – Education

Ideally, nominators should include the proposed honorary degree in the original submission for consideration throughout the review process.

Approval and Conferment

• • The President contacts approved candidates and arranges the presentation of degrees to those who accept.

  • The University confers degrees in the same academic year of approval whenever possible.

  • The University generally does not award honorary degrees in absentia but may do so posthumously.

  • The President (or designee) decides whether an honorary degree recipient will also serve as a commencement speaker.