Honorary Degrees

In accordance with University Policy 4.1.1, Illinois State University awards honorary degrees in recognition of persons who have achieved a record of major distinction at the state or national level in education, public service, literature, business, fine arts, or other professions.

Each year, the University solicits nominations from the University community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Nominations may also be submitted by the general public. Nominations can be made any time, but must be received by September 15.

 

Past Recipients of the Honorary Degree
2024	TBD		2023	None
2022	Andrew Purnell		2021	None
2020	None		2019	Wonsook Kim
2018	Craig Bouchard		2017	Jane Lynch
2016	Julie Dobski		2015	John W. Maitland Joanne Maitland
2014	David Brown		2013	Sean Hayes Michael J. Adams
2012	None		2011	Terry Kinney Jeff Perry
2010	None		2009	Tom Lamont
2008	John Koch		2007	David McCullough
2006	Gregory Kunde		2005	None
2004	None		2003	Michael McCuskey
2002	R. David Edmunds		2001	C. R. O'Dell
2000	Judith Ivey		1999	Barbara Scholley
1998	Leon Lederman		1997	William Warfield
1996	None		1995	Edward Madigan George Means
1994	George A. Pruitt		1993	Hoon Mok Chung Anthony E. Cascino, Sr.
1992	John Hope Franklin		1991	None
1990	Arnold O. Beckman		1989	Terrel H. Bell
1988	Richard D. Alexander Bassam Z. Shakhashiri		1987	Kenneth A. Shaw
1986	Edward H. Beuhrig Athorn Chonhenchob		1985	Sen. Paul Simon M. M. Chambers
1984	Robert C. Underwood		1983	James L. Fisher Allan William Ostar
1982	Gene Budig Edward B. Rust		1981	Helen M. Cavanagh Donald M. Prince
1980	Donald F. McHenry		1979	Jesse L. Jackson Walker D. Wyman
1978	Richard Hunt Anna L. Keaton		1977	Carol Kimmel Gerald W. Smith
1976	Thomas F. Barton John E. Corbally, Jr. Alice Abel John Kuhfuss		1975	Betty J. Soldwedel
1974	Percy Julian Arther Larsen		1973	Clifford M. Hardin Hettie Bunker Smith Bayard Rustin
1972	Robert Guy Buzzard		1971	Otto Kerner R. Sargent Shriver
1970	Richard Browne Patricia Cross		1969	None
1968	Robert G. Bone		1967	None