I am pleased to invite all members of the University community to submit nominations for honorary degree recipients for 2025.
An honorary degree 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. These achievements are celebrated at Convocation where they inspire those in attendance, particularly our newly graduating students.
Complete nomination packages should be submitted by May 31, 2024 to the secretary of the Senate Nominating Committee for Honorary Degrees, c/o Secretariat, NH 3060 or secretariat@uwaterloo.ca.
Guidelines for the awarding of honorary degrees, including selection guidelines, procedures, and considerations to make in assessing a candidate's qualifications, and details on what to submit in a nomination package can be found on the website for the Senate Nominating Committee for Honorary Degrees. You are also welcome to contact the committee secretary for more information and assistance.
The committee will consider a broad range of achievement in exceptional service or significant contribution to the university, the community, the nation, or the world, in areas that include research and scholarship, the arts, business, and professional and voluntary service. Nominations can be made for individuals from Canada or abroad, whose presence will bring honour and distinction to the University of Waterloo and whose achievements will be seen as important and exemplary to the graduating students. The University embraces and appreciates diversity and wants to ensure a diverse pool of candidates who will be seen to aligned with the diversity of our student body and community. Nominations should consider how candidates relate to the University and align with its strategic priorities. Recipients of Honorary Degrees are expected to participate and inspire graduates at a Convocation ceremony.
With the community's input we can continue to recognize deserving individuals whose achievements the University would be delighted to celebrate and honour.
Thank you in advance for your contribution to this important tradition.
Vivek Goel
President and Vice-Chancellor
Office of the President