March 24, 2025 

Dear Colorado State University Community:

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President and the Faculty Council invite nominations for Honorary Degrees to be awarded by Colorado State University. In the hope of awarding an honorary degree at our first University-wide commencement on May 16, 2025, this spring’s nomination process will follow a more compressed timeline with nominations due no later than Friday, April 4.

These prestigious awards recognize individuals who have attained extraordinary achievements of lasting distinction. The honorary degrees offered will include but may not be limited to Doctor of Humane Letters and Doctor of Science.

Purpose of Honorary Degrees: Honorary degrees acknowledge individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge and artistry, to society, or whose association brings honor and distinction to the University community. Through these awards, CSU reaffirms its commitment to intellectual and professional achievement.

Nomination Criteria: Nominees should demonstrate exceptional quality with national or international prominence in one or more of the following categories:

1. Intellectual distinction in particular fields
2. Outstanding achievement in professional and/or personal capacities
3. Significant and lasting contributions to society
4. Exceptional acts of philanthropy to the University and/or to the nation or world

Eligibility: Individuals who have demonstrated the appropriate criteria are eligible for nomination, with the following exceptions:

• Current members of the Board of Governors.
• Faculty or staff currently employed by the University.
• Current candidates or holders of federal or state elective office.

Individuals may have an existing association with the university, such as affiliate or emeritus/emerita faculty. Preference will be given to those with connections to Colorado or CSU, although such connections are not required.

Nomination Materials: Nomination packages must include the following:

1. A nomination letter from a member of the academic faculty addressing specific contributions, which distinguish the candidate as an individual worthy of this designation.
2. Endorsement by the dean of the college.
3. A short biographical statement of no more than one page or shortened curriculum vitae of no more than three pages.
4. A one-page narrative which includes an abbreviated version of the candidate’s qualifications.
5. Supporting documentation which may include no more than three letters of endorsement.

Please note that the nominator may be asked to present a brief oral presentation to the committee on behalf of the candidate.

Deadline: All nominations must be received by Friday, April 4, 5 p.m. Please send nominations to Tammy Prusha at [email protected].

For more detailed information on the nomination process, please refer to the Honorary Degree Guidelines (see the “Honorary Degrees” section on the Provost’s Faculty Policies, Forms & Resources web page).

Sincerely,

Marion K. Underwood, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President

Mendy Smith, Ph.D.
Chair of Faculty Council
Professor of Biology