Honorary and award recipients

An honorary degree (honoris causa) is the highest honour conferred by the University. Through the conferring of honorary degrees, the University of Waterloo seeks to recognize outstanding achievement, whether academic or through service to society.

The Distinguished Professor Emeritus designation is made to faculty members who have had a distinguished record of service in teaching and research in the University. The honorary award is granted upon, or shortly after, retirement. 

The Honorary Member of the University designation is the highest honour a staff member can obtain at the University of Waterloo and is granted on retirement. It recognizes the individual for outstanding service to the University as a whole, not limited to one department or faculty. For faculty members, it recognizes distinctive administrative service to the University.