Purpose
An honorary degree is a significant accolade in higher education. Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) grants honorary degrees to individuals that have made significant scholarship, leadership, or service contributions to their field, society, or the institution in alignment with the KGI mission. The honorary degree recognized for degree conferral by the KGI Board of Trustees is the Doctor of Applied Life Sciences, honoris causa. The honorary degree is a special honor and, as such, a maximum of two honorary degrees will be conferred per year. If no eligible individuals are identified in a given year, no honorary degree will be conferred.
Criteria for Awarding of Honorary Degrees
Honorary degrees may be awarded to an individual who satisfies the following criteria:
- Significant achievement and eminence of an individual in their career, field of scholarship, or leadership or service contributions to the community or society at large in alignment with the mission and values of KGI to enrich society with breakthrough approaches to education and translational research in healthcare or the life sciences.
- Outstanding service or support to KGI based on a consistent and dedicated relationship to the Institution.
- Nominees must demonstrate high moral character and values in alignment with the ideals of KGI, higher education, and their respective field.