Alumni, faculty, staff, students and private citizens are welcome to nominate candidates for a University of Wisconsin Oshkosh honorary degree. Nomination forms are available in the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s Office, Dempsey 335, or online.
For full consideration, please return nomination forms by Feb. 11 to the Provost and Vice Chancellor’s Office, Dempsey 335.
Honorary degrees are given to individuals of exceptional accomplishment and distinction who have made significant contributions to the University, region, state or nation. The UW Oshkosh Honorary Degree Committee recommends candidates to the Chancellor, who, with the UW System President, recommends nominees to the Board of Regents.
Strong consideration is given to those who have a current or past connection to the University, region or state of Wisconsin; are distinguished alumni; or display excellence in reflecting UW Oshkosh’s vision of engaging people and ideas for common good.
The list of past honorees is incredibly diverse. Recipients include:
- In 2012, the University honored international partner and renewable energy pioneer Martin Viessmann, who leads the Viessmann Group of Allendorf, Germany. The company and its leader have worked diligently with educational partners, such as UW Oshkosh, sharing expertise and state-of-the-art technology to develop environmentally sound biogas energy facilities on campus and in the Oshkosh area.
- Other past recipients, including Sister Irene Kohne, former administrator of St. Frances Home for the elderly; the late Gaylord Nelson, former Wisconsin governor and Earth Day founder; and Paul Poberezny, founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association, have made major contributions to the University, region, state and/or nation.
- In May 2007, UWO honored the Mercury 13, the pioneer women of the 1960s space program, for their determination, strength and bravery.
See a few recent UW Oshkosh honorary doctorate recipients in this video:
Learn more: