Honorary Degrees

Policy Number: 3.8.4
Effective Date: March 26, 2026
Revision History: February 27, 2023; May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

Georgia Gwinnett College ("GGC") may recommend an individual of notable achievement to receive an honorary degree. Honorary degrees are conferred by, and are subject to approval by, the Board of Regents. In accordance with Board of Regents Policy Manual 03.08.08 Honorary Degrees, the GGC process to advance candidates for consideration for this honor is set forth in this policy.  

II. Scope

All GGC staff and faculty should be familiar with this policy. 

III. Roles and Responsibilities 

1. Honorary Degree Recommendation Committee: Responsible for reviewing candidates for honorary degrees and making a recommendation to the President of GGC. Membership on the committee shall include the Provost and two academic deans appointed by the President of GGC.  

IV. Process 

1. Anyone at GGC may nominate an individual for an honorary degree based upon submission of the following required documents to the Honorary Degree Recommendation Committee: 

   1. A letter of nomination from the primary nominator. 

   2. A brief (one-page maximum) narrative explaining why the candidate is worthy. 

   3. Letter(s) of recommendation from GGC or community members. 

2. The Honorary Degree Recommendation Committee will consider and screen potential candidates in a timely fashion. The committee will request Human Resources and/or the Office of Advancement conduct background research of potential candidates and provide results back to the committee. Upon receiving a clean report, the committee will submit a written recommendation to the President of GGC for candidates it recommends to receive an honorary degree from GGC.  

3. Based on the committee's recommendation, the President of GGC will present a recommendation to the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia.  

4. Upon approval by the Chancellor and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the honorary degree will be conferred upon the recipient at an upcoming Georgia Gwinnett College commencement ceremony.