* Nominations: Nominations often come from various sources, including faculty members, students, alumni, university administrators, and even external organizations. The criteria for nomination usually highlight exceptional achievements, leadership, and positive influence.
* Review by a Committee: A committee, often composed of faculty members, administrators, and sometimes students or alumni, reviews the nominations. This committee evaluates the nominee's qualifications against the university's criteria for honorary degrees. They consider the nominee's accomplishments, reputation, alignment with the university's values, and the overall impact of their work.
* Discussion and Deliberation: The committee discusses the merits of each nominee, weighing their contributions and assessing their suitability. This process often involves detailed consideration of the nominee's public image, ethical conduct, and the potential impact of awarding them an honorary degree.
* Recommendation to the President or Governing Body: The committee makes a recommendation to the university president or a governing body (like the Board of Trustees or Senate), outlining the reasons for their choice.
* Final Approval: The president or governing body makes the final decision on whether to award the honorary degree. This decision may be based solely on the committee's recommendation or may involve further deliberation.
Factors considered in the selection process:
* Exceptional Achievement: Outstanding contributions to their field, whether it's science, arts, humanities, business, or public service.
* Leadership and Influence: Demonstrated leadership qualities and a significant positive impact on their community or society.
* Alignment with University Values: The nominee's values and work should align with the university's mission and goals.
* Reputation and Ethical Conduct: The nominee should have a strong reputation and a history of ethical behavior.
* Diversity and Representation: Many universities actively seek to diversify their honorary degree recipients, ensuring representation from various backgrounds and perspectives.
* University Connections (sometimes): While not always the case, a prior connection to the university, such as being an alumnus or having a strong working relationship with the institution, might be considered favorably.
The exact process and criteria vary from university to university, but the overall goal is to bestow this prestigious honor upon individuals who truly merit recognition for their significant and lasting contributions. The process is generally intended to be both rigorous and transparent, ensuring the integrity of the honorary degree.