Anyone can nominate or be nominated for an honorary doctorate, Memorial’s highest honour. If you know of someone worthy of this distinction, you are invited to nominate the individual using this nomination form.

Why do we award honorary doctorates?

An honorary doctorate recognizes extraordinary contribution to society or exceptional intellectual or artistic achievement. As an important feature of Memorial’s convocation, it serves to celebrate both the individual and the university, as well as to inspire our graduates, their families and guests.

Who can nominate?

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, community members — literally anyone, anywhere — anytime can submit a nomination, even if they don’t have an affiliation to the university or the province. 

Learn more about the honorary doctorate nomination process. 

Who can be nominated?

Anyone who has made exceptional contributions to society or has outstanding intellectual or artistic achievements can be nominated. Some of our past honorary graduates include doctors, inventors, explorers, survivors, journalists, entertainers, athletes, astronauts, veterans, volunteers, authors and artists. We’ve even had two Nobel Prize laureates, four barons and at least five nuns. And just like the criteria for those who can nominate, nominees don't have to be affiliated with the university or the province in any way. If they were, however, we’d love to know about it. Really, your options for whom to nominate are endless.

How do you nominate someone?

To nominate an individual, just fill out this nomination form. In addition to the nominee’s name and contact information, you’ll be asked to provide a brief biography and to write a short rationale highlighting their contributions and accomplishments. All nominations are kept confidential until the official announcement.

Tips on writing a successful nomination

• Include website links to relevant and trustworthy sources of further information about the nominee (rather than hard copy scans of materials in .pdf format)
• If you aren’t able to ‘go it alone,’ consider collaborating with a co-nominator to put the nomination together – often two heads are better than one!
• The nominee doesn’t need to have a connection to Memorial University or to the province to be considered for an honorary doctorate. But if the person does, be sure to include this in the nomination.
• There is no deadline for nominations – you can submit them at any time.
• The rationale detailing the nature of the nominee’s contribution should be clear, concise and complete.
• The nomination package should contain only what is needed to support the rationale (e.g., no excess or minor press clippings).
• Supporting letters (which are not required) should be kept to a minimum.
• Neither the nominee nor persons close to the nominee should be involved in the process which must be confidential.
• If you have questions, contact the Senate office at senate@mun.ca.