Honorary Degrees Policy : 2:06:00:00

Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

I. PURPOSE

1. This Motlow State Community College (Motlow State) policy provides a means to recognize and honor extraordinary individuals whose extraordinary achievements have set a standard that distinguishes them and benefits the institution and the communities it serves as well as society. The purpose for awarding honorary degrees is threefold:
   1. To honor persons whose careers reflect sustained and superlative achievement in the arts and professions, research, scholarship, public service, leadership, volunteerism, and/or cultural affairs, as well as new frontiers of human endeavor.
   2. To advance the educational missions, goals, and programs of Motlow State by developing associations with persons who embody the same ideals, values, and aspirations.
   3. To inspire students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and members of the local, national, and world communities to emulate such standards of excellence, integrity, and commitment to enhance the public good.

II. SELECTION CRITERIA

1. The honorary degree is distinctive and will be awarded only in exceptional circumstances.
2. A maximum of two (2) honorary degrees may be awarded each year.
3. An individual may receive only one honorary degree from Motlow State.
4. Current faculty, staff, and regents are not eligible.
5. Faculty, staff, and regents who have been separated from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) at least three (3) years are eligible.
6. Current elected and/or appointed public officials are not eligible.
7. Current candidates and/or nominees for public elective and/or appointed offices are not eligible.
8. Current or prospective benefactors of Motlow State are not eligible unless they meet criteria outlined in Section 1.A of this policy.
9. LEVEL OF DEGREE AWARDED
   Honorary degrees will be awarded at the Associate Degree level.

IV. SELECTION COMMITTEE

1. The selection committee for the award will be composed of the following:
   1. Three (3) faculty members appointed by the President.
   2. One (1) administrative member appointed by the President.
   3. One (1) staff member appointed by the President.
   4. Nominations will be solicited from all sources, and deliberations will be confidential.
   5. The committee should use intense scrutiny of a nominee to ensure continued integrity of the award process.  The recipient must attend graduation to be awarded the honorary degree.

V. PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY AND NOTIFICATION

1. The authority to award honorary degrees resides with the President.
2. The President must approve any nominee for the honorary degree.
3. The President will notify the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of TBR with the selected recipient(s) of the honorary degree for review.  The Vice Chancellor will review the recommended nominees for compliance with this policy and corresponding TBR policies, and forward a recommendation to the Chancellor of TBR.
4. Upon approval by the Chancellor, the President will notify the recipient(s).

Sources

Corresponding Policies

TBR Policy 2:06:00:00

History

February 20, 2007; approved by the Leadership Council on December 9, 2016; February 3, 2017

Revised: January 27, 2023

Institutional Oversight Committee Approved: May 30, 2023

Faculty Council Approved: March 23, 2023

President’s Cabinet Approved: June 12, 2023

TBR Academic Affairs Approved: August 16, 2023

Effective Date: December 9, 2016; August 16, 2023