9/17/2026
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
As we look ahead to Commencement in spring 2027, I write on behalf of the Committee on Honorary Degrees to solicit your nominations for honorary degree candidates for this or future years.
We invite you to help us recognize the extraordinary individuals who embody our institution's values and aspirations, particularly our core values of intellectual curiosity, ethical leadership, and global engagement. Candidates for the honorary degree will generally be people of notable academic reputation or people whose endeavors represent truly outstanding contributions to the betterment of the regional, national, or global community.
If you are aware of someone who meets these criteria and has made significant contributions to their chosen profession; advanced the arts or sciences; championed social justice; or expanded human understanding, we encourage you to submit a nomination for an honorary degree. Your recommendation will be carefully considered by a committee composed of faculty, trustees, students, and alumni.
Nominations are now open and will be accepted until Monday, October 5. When making your nominations, please be sure to describe how they align with Puget Sound’s mission and values. You can find additional information about the honorary degree process by reviewing the guidelines for the Committee on Honorary Degrees, which provides additional context about the establishment of this committee and its policies and procedures, as well as the roster of recent honorary degree recipients.
All members of the campus community are encouraged to submit nominations. I greatly appreciate your engagement with this important process, and extend special thanks to the members of the 2027 Committee on Honorary Degrees for their service:
Ryan Dumm '07, Chair Betsy Stone '79, P'14, Trustee
Lynnie McIlvain '21, Alumni Member
Ken Teal '81, Alumni Member
Dakota Contreras ’27, Student Member
Noelani Moffat '27, Student Member
Gwynne Brown, Faculty Member
Shelly Norvell, Faculty Member
Thank you for your commitment to the University of Puget Sound. We look forward to receiving your nominations.
Sincerely,
Drew Kerkhoff | Provost and Ex Officio of the Committee on Honorary Degrees