About Honorary Degrees

An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations. The degree is typically a doctorate and may be awarded to someone who has no prior connection with the academic institution.

Honorary degrees are conferred honoris causa, "for the sake of honour” and are awarded as a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at the University of Prince Edward Island.

UPEI honorary degrees are intended to recognize outstanding provincial, national, and international contributions in any field(s) of endeavour. Whether these are made by Prince Edward Islanders, or by individuals with strong PEI connections, their contributions should reflect extraordinary intellectual or artistic achievements or significant service to society at a standard of excellence that merits the University's highest honour. 

At UPEI, two honorary degrees are conferred at each the morning and afternoon Spring Convocations in May. One of the honorary degree recipients at each convocation usually presents an address. Honorary degrees may also be conferred at Special Convocations.

The tradition of granting honorary degrees at UPEI dates back to the convocation of one of our predecessor institutions, St. Dunstan’s University, in 1960.

Selection of Honorary Degree Recipients

The University of Prince Edward Island welcomes the nomination of worthy individuals for honorary degrees and any member of the public or the University community may submit nominations.

Honorary degrees from UPEI are conferred on the authorization of the Senate, after the Honorary Degree Committee brings forward the name of suitable candidates for consideration.

UPEI honorary degrees are generally not awarded posthumously or in absentia, or to any of the following: current faculty or staff; current members of the Board of Governors and the Senate; and current holders of political office in Canada.

Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis, but must be submitted by November 23, 2012 in order to be considered for honorary degrees to be conferred in 2013. Make a nomination using the Honorary Degree Nomination Form below, or download and print a PDF form to mail in.

Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis, but must be submitted by November 23, 2012 in order to be considered for honorary degrees conferred in May 2013.

Criteria/Considerations

The following considerations will apply to the awarding of honorary degrees by UPEI:

• Recognize outstanding provincial, national, and/or international contributions.
• Recognize contributions in any field(s) of endeavour.
• Contribution made by Prince Edward Islanders, individuals with strong PEI connections, or individuals whose contributions highlight their extraordinary achievements or significant service to society at a standard of excellence that merits the University's highest honour.
• Honorary degrees will not normally be awarded to persons while holding political office.
• Honorary degrees will not be awarded to serving UPEI faculty or administration.
• Honorary degrees will not be awarded in absentia.
• Honorary degrees will not be granted posthumously, unless Senate has already voted the person a degree and the person has died prior to Convocation.

Any member of the public or the University community may submit nominations. All information submitted on behalf of the nominee will be kept confidential. 

Nominations can be either completed online or on this form that can be printed and mailed, along with the nominee's curriculum vitae, if available, to:

Honorary Degree Committee
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4P3
Attn: Angela Deighan