Committee for Honorary Degrees

Committee Members

  • Dr. Ralitsa Akins - Vice-Provost (Chair)
  • Dr. Pauline Gagnon - College of Arts, Culture, and Scientific Inquiry
  • Dr. Mike Dishman - College of Education
  • Dr. Chris Johnson - College of Business
  • Dr. Jenny Schuessler - School of Nursing
  • Dr. Karen Owen - University College
  • Dr. Brad Yates - School of Communication, Film, and Media
  • C.J. Ivory - Ingram Library
  • Dr. Matt Varga - Graduate School
  • Allyson Bretch - University Advancement
  • Dr. Swarna Dutt - Professor of Economics
  • Dr. Lauren Johnson - Assistant Professor of Sport Management
  • Dr. Karen Graffius - Assistant Professor of Music
  • Dr. Patrick Hadley - School of Communication, Film, and Media

Policy on Honorary Degrees

Guidelines for Honorary Degrees

Guidelines (PDF, 98K)

Honorary Doctorate Recipients

  • May 10, 2018: Mrs. Nellie Dunaway Duke, President and CEO of the Georgia Women's Institute
  • May 10, 2018: Mrs. Laura Richards, Founder and Chair of the Friends of Carrollton GreenBelt LLC
  • May 11, 2017: Mr. Steve R. Adams, West Georgia Ambulance
  • April 30, 2016: Ms. Melissa "Missy" P. Dugan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
  • April 26, 2014: Mr. Steve Penley, nationally recognized artist
  • April 28, 2012: Mr. Bob Stone, founder of Systems and Methods
  • May 9, 2009: Dr. J. Willis Hurst, nationally recognized cardiologist, teacher, research, clinician, and writer – Emory School of Medicine
  • May 10, 2006: Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Director of the National Cancer institute and Acting Commissioner of Food & Drugs, Food & Drug Administration
  • May 11, 2005: Mr. Richard H. Glanton, Sr. VP of Corporate Dev. for Exelon Corp. & 1968 alum
  • July 31, 2004: Mr. Dan Cathy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A
  • August 3, 2002: Ms. Alice H. Richards, widow of the founder of Southwire, Roy Richards, Sr.
  • May 9, 2001: Dr. Richard Zare, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University
  • August 5, 2000: Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Poet & Civil Rights Activist and Professor of English at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • May 8, 1999: Mr. Mallard Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International
  • Aug. 15, 1998: Howard Hollis “Bo” Callaway (Callaway Gardens)
  • June 15, 1997: Dr. Julian C. Stanley, Director, Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth, Johns Hopkins University
  • June 14, 1996: Mr. Roy Richards, Jr., Chairman & CEO of Southwire Company