PURPOSE OF USC HONORARY DEGREES
Since 1912, the University of Southern California has awarded honorary degrees at Commencement, the highest award the university confers.
USC’s award of honorary degrees demonstrates our university values, by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary achievements in scholarship, science, the professions, or other creative activities, or have made outstanding contributions to the welfare of their communities.
Any two members of the USC community (faculty, staff, student, alumni, or trustee) may nominate a potential candidate. We welcome nominations of persons with distinguished accomplishments outside of conventional academic fields.
Candidates from diverse backgrounds, and whose own accomplishments might serve to highlight areas in which the University has developed exceptional strength, are particularly welcome.- USC employees (faculty or staff) may not be nominated, except by the President.
- Every nomination is considered by the Honorary Degrees Committee.
- Letters from the nominators explaining the merits of the candidate may optionally be attached.
Under no circumstances should the nominee be informed that their name has been put forward. Furthermore, nominators should not solicit letters of support on behalf of the nomination from people outside the University. Breach of these confidentiality rules will disqualify the nomination.