Nomination period open for 2026 honorary degrees
Nominations for honorary doctoral degrees to be awarded by Mississippi State University in 2026 are currently being accepted, Nomination letters and supporting documentation should be sent to the Honorary Degree Committee in care of the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via email to jessica.northcutt@msstate.edu.
The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning authorized state universities to begin awarding the degrees in 1999 and allows each institution to give up to two each year. Those who are eligible to submit nominations are MSU faculty, staff, students and alumni.
Under IHL guidelines, persons eligible for the Doctor of Laws, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Humane Letters, Doctor of Creative and Performing Arts or Doctor of Public Service must have demonstrated nationally recognized sustained achievement in scholarship, public service, creative and performing arts or professional activity.
Please note that faculty, staff and administrators of the university and elected or appointed public officials are ineligible for an honorary degree until one year after leaving their position. Candidates for public office also are ineligible.
The Honorary Degree Committee will evaluate nominations, develop additional information about nominees and verify information submitted. The committee will recommend to the President candidates for degrees. The IHL Board of Trustees reviews and approves all honorary degrees.
