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Honorary Degree Nominations

Stony Brook University invites members of the university community to nominate individuals whose exceptional accomplishments and service exemplify the purposes of the SUNY Honorary Degree Program.

Stony Brook University has recognized many distinguished leaders whose achievements have made lasting contributions to their professions, communities, and society. 

View Stony Brook University's Previous Honorary Degree Recipients

SUNY Honorary Degrees

The honorary doctoral degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York to persons of exceptional distinction outside the university. The purpose of the honorary doctoral degree is to:

  • Recognize excellence in the fields of the degrees authorized at SUNY campuses as well as business, philanthropy, public affairs, and public service, which exemplify SUNY’s mission.
  • Honor meritorious and outstanding service to SUNY, the State of New York, the United States, or to humanity at large.
  • Recognize those whose lives and significant achievements serve as examples of SUNY’s aspirations for its diverse student body.
  • Elevate SUNY in the eyes of the world by honoring individuals who are widely known and highly regarded for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor.

 

Submitting a Nomination

All members of the Stony Brook University community are eligible to submit nominations.

All nominations and supporting materials must be submitted by 5:00 pm ET, August 21, 2026 to be considered for the current review cycle.

Click to Submit a Nomination 

 

Preparing a Competitive Nomination

A compelling nomination should include a brief (250-500 words) summary that clearly demonstrates the nominee's exceptional accomplishments and explains why those achievements merit recognition through a SUNY honorary degree.

The nomination should address:

  • Why the nominee's significant accomplishments are consistent with the purposes of the SUNY Honorary Degree Program and demonstrate distinction at the state, national, or international level.
  • Why the recommended honorary degree is appropriate based on the nominee's achievements.

  • How the nominee's accomplishments are relevant to Stony Brook University and its mission.

Supporting documentation can include (but is not limited to):

  • Curriculum vitae or detailed résumé

  • Reviews or articles about the nominee's work

  • List of major publications

  • List of major awards and honors

Please note, the following individuals are not eligible to receive a SUNY honorary degree:

  • Previous recipients of an honorary degree from any SUNY campus.

  • Members of the SUNY Board of Trustees, the Councils at the State-operated campuses, the Board of Trustees of the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and the Boards of Trustees of SUNY community colleges during their terms of service.

  • Current members of the teaching or administrative staff, or any other employee within the SUNY system while employed by SUNY.

  • Current holders of New York elective public office or active candidates for elective public office.

 

Review Process

Honorary degree nominations will be reviewed by a committee of students, faculty and staff and undergo a rigorous review to evaluate each nominee's qualifications and alignment with the SUNY Honorary Degree Program criteria.

Submission of a nomination does not guarantee that a nominee will be recommended or selected to receive an honorary degree.

Incomplete nominations will not be considered.

Nominees approved for an honorary degree will remain active in the pool for three years.

To preserve the integrity of the review process, nominators should not inform nominees that they have been nominated.

 

Questions?

For questions regarding the nomination process or submission requirements, please contact Lorraine.Luongo@stonybrook.edu.