Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree & Presidential Medal of Distinction Nomination

The President and the Board of Trustees of ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ invite nominations for the Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree and Presidential Medal of Distinction recipients. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni may participate in the nomination process.

Online nominations will first be reviewed and vetted by the Honorary Degree committee, which includes representation from the Faculty, Staff, and Student Senates along with other faculty and staff appointed by the President. The committee will prepare a list of finalists for consideration by the Office of the President and finally the ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ Board of Trustees. President Bertolino and the Board of Trustees will make the final selection

Criteria for Commencement Speakers

*This process does not apply to the Student Commencement Speaker. The Office of the Provost will notify students who meet the minimum eligibility requirement in early February. This notification will be sent via ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ email inviting students wishing to be considered as a student speaker. 

The selection of a Commencement Speaker is a serious responsibility, as this presentation is a capstone moment in the academic career of all students. A proposed speaker should recognize the significance of this occasion and be prepared to send ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ's students out into the world inspired, amused, optimistic, and prepared to take their place in their post-graduation communities. All nominees should in some way epitomize the goals and mission of ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ and should exemplify a "capacity for continuous learning and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a multicultural and interdependent world." Please note that we do not generally pay commencement speakers, and New Jersey statute caps speaker fees at $10,000.

Nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have a distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, or service to their community
• Have a record of significant achievement in their field
• Have exhibited exemplary leadership in public service or business

Criteria for Honorary Degree

Nominees must meet two or more of the following criteria:

• The nominee has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their respective field.
• The nominee upholds the University’s mission and values and has a reputation for integrity and excellence.
• The nominee has made substantial contribution(s) to ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ.

Criteria for Presidential Medal of Distinction Recipients

The Presidential Medal of Distinction recipient will be selected by President Joe and is typically conferred on an individual who has made a substantial contribution to the health, vitality, and culture of their community, espousing the values of social justice and President Joe’s Five Pillars of dignity, kindness, respect, compassion, and civility. Nominees may be an alumnus or general community member.

Nomination Process - Deadline for Nominations is January 31, 2025

To make a nomination, please complete the . The committee will consider nominees for two years from the date of nomination. If a nominee is not selected within the two-year period they will be removed from the list of potential candidates unless re-nominated. It is also ÒùÐÔÊÓƵ's practice to confer an Honorary Degree at commencement.