The Office of the Secretary solicits nominations for honorary degrees and the University Medal for Excellence from the Columbia University community (faculty, administrators, University Senate members, students, and alumni).
Nominations are received by the Office of the Secretary during the course of the academic year across all fields, including:
- Arts
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Natural, Applied and Pure Sciences
- Public Life and Government
- Professor Emeritus/Emerita of Columbia University
The Arts
- Architecture
- Communications
- Dance
- Drama
- Film
- Journalism
- Music
- Painting and Sculpture
- Urban Planning
- Writing
The Humanities and Social Sciences
- Anthropology
- Archeology
- Art History
- Business Theory
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- International Relations
- Languages and Literature
- Law and Legal History
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religion
- Sociology
- Teaching
The Natural, Applied, and Pure Sciences
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Health Sciences
- Mathematics
- Meteorology
- Oceanology
- Physics
- Statistics
- Zoology
Public Life and Government
- Business Leaders
- Civil Rights Leaders
- Diplomats
- Educational Leaders
- Environmentalists
- Government officials
- Foundation Heads
- Heads of Research Institutes
- Heads of State
- Labor Leaders
- Lawyers
- Librarians
- Philanthropists
- Political Leaders
- Religious Leaders
Professor Emeritus/Emerita
To be awarded to an outstanding professor emeritus/emerita of Columbia University
Committee Deliberations and Approval
Each spring, the president of the University and the University Senate Committee on Honors and Prizes convene to review nominations and develop a proposed list of candidates for honorary degrees and the University Medal for Excellence.
Candidates who were previously nominated may be reconsidered; however, individuals who have not received serious consideration by the Honors and Prizes committees for at least two consecutive years are generally removed from active consideration.
Following deliberations, the president formally submits a slate of candidates for honorary degrees and the University Medal for Excellence to the Trustees for their approval. Invitations to proposed honorees are sent out, and those who accept and confirm their participation on Commencement day are formally announced just prior to Commencement.