Honorary Degrees
Willie Mays, Jr
San Francisco Giants
San Francisco, 2009
Mike Curb
Curb Records/Former CA
Lt. Governor
Northridge, 2009
Sheikha Lubna Bint
Khalid Al Qasimi
Minister of Foreign Trade
United Arab Emirates
Chico, 2009
The California State University awarded its first honorary degree to then-President John F. Kennedy in June 1963 at San Diego State University.
Since that time, the 23 CSU campuses have awarded honorary degrees to 366 distinguished individuals through spring 2009. These individuals have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit humanity, CSU campuses, the state, nation or world. They serve as examples to be recognized and honored. The degrees are given by the CSU Board of Trustees in the name of the California State University or in the name of the CSU and a campus, which is the typical designation.
The categories of degrees awarded are:
- Doctor of Fine Arts (D.F.A.)
- Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.)
- Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
- Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.)
- Doctor of Science (Sc.D.)
The CSU Board of Trustees must approve the granting of the degree before it is awarded. See “Guidelines for the Awarding of Honorary Degrees” (Word, 21KB) for purposes, criteria, limitations and procedures.