Early History
The first University of Washington honorary degree, a Doctor of Laws, was conferred in 1885 by the territorial university upon Orange Jacobs, who was the chief justice of the supreme court of the Territory of Washington from 1871-1875, a member of the 44th and 45th Congresses (1875-1879), and the mayor of Seattle (1880). In 1887 and 1888 the UW awarded honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees to three local ministers, Rev. D. J. Pierce ('87), Rev. John R. Thompson ('87), and Rev. William B. Lee ( '88). (Grateful acknowledgement is made to Dr. Robert L. Welsh for his invaluable assistance in locating photographs of these ministers).
In 1894 an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree was conferred upon Frederic James Grant, who was the Editor-in-Chief of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a member of the first Washington State legislature, and an envoy to Bolivia under President Benjamin Harrison.
Between 1894 and 2002, the University awarded only one honorary degree. On November 30, 1921, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree was conferred on French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, who was the supreme commander of the Allied armies during the final year of World War I.
In 2002, the Faculty Senate passed legislation that specified procedures for resuming the practice of awarding honorary degrees, with the responsibility for recommending them vested in the Faculty Council on University Relations. Since then, fourteen honorary doctorate degrees have been awarded. In addition, an historic ceremony was held in 2008 to confer honorary Bachelor of Arts degrees upon 447 Japanese American students who were forced to leave the University during World War II.
Recent Honorees
Kent Stowell and Francia Russell
Doctor of Arts
At the 135th University of Washington Commencement Ceremony, on June 12, 2010, the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts was conferred on Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, founding artistic directors of Pacific Northwest Ballet. Each was presented with an honorary degree (Stowell; Russell) and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Ban Ki-moon
Doctor of Arts
At a special University of Washington convocation, held on October 26, 2009, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Mr.Ban was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Robert M. Gates
Doctor of Laws
At the 134th University of Washington Commencement Ceremony, on June 13, 2009, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. Mr. Gates was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Virginia Beavert
Doctor of Humane Letters
At the 134th University of Washington Commencement Ceremony, on June 13, 2009, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred on Yakima Nation tribal elder and linguist, Virginia Beavert. Ms. Beavert was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
William H. Gates
Doctor of Humane Letters
At the 25th Freshman Convocation, on September 21, 2008, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred on William H. Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr. Gates was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
William H. Gates III
Doctor of Humane Letters
At the 25th Freshman Convocation, on September 21, 2008, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred on William H. Gates III, the founder and chairman of Microsoft Corporation and a co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mr. Gates was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Greg Mortenson
Doctor of Humane Letters
At the University of Washington Bothell commencement ceremony, held on June 15, 2008, the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters was conferred on Greg Mortenson, renowned humanitarian, author and mountaineer. Mr. Mortenson was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Quincy Delight Jones
Doctor of Arts
At the 133rd University of Washington Commencement Ceremony, held on June 14, 2008, an honorary Doctor of Arts degree was conferred on Quincy Jones, legendary producer, arranger, composer, director and humanitarian. Mr. Jones was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Japanese American students of 1941 & 1942
Bachelor of Arts
On May 18, 2008, honorary Bachelor of Arts degrees were bestowed on 449 Japanese American students who were forced to leave the University in 1942 following an executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt that led to the incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans on the west coast. In 1988 Congress passed a resolution which officially apologized for and redressed the injustices suffered by Japanese Americans due to this order. Honorees were presented with mementos containing the Citation for the Honorary Degree, special stoles (seen worn by the honorees in the photo above), and copies of The Fountain and the Mountain, a history, with beautiful photos, of the UW campus. (Click on photo for enlarged image.) For more information go to the Interrupted Lives website.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Doctor of Humane Letters
An Academic Convocation was held on April 14, 2008 to bestow an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in 1989. He was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
William D. Ruckelshaus
Doctor of Laws
During the 131st Commencement Ceremony in June of 2006 an honorary Doctor of Laws was bestowed on William D. Ruckelshaus, a two time administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). William Ruckelshaus was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
August Wilson
Doctor of Arts
During the 129th Commencement Ceremony in June of 2004 an honorary Doctor of Arts was bestowed on August Wilson, playwright and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner. August Wilson was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Madeleine Korbel Albright
Doctor of Laws
During the 127th Commencement Ceremony in June of 2002 an honorary Doctor of Laws was bestowed on Madeleine Korbel Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State. Madeleine Albright was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
Desmond Mpilo Tutu
Doctor of Humane Letters
An Academic Convocation was held in May of 2002 to bestow an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters on Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Desmond Tutu was presented with an Honorary Degree and the Citation for the Honorary Degree.
For more information contact:
Office of Ceremonies
(206) 543-2592
ceremony@u.washington.edu