The call is out once again for members of the University of Lethbridge community to recognize outstanding academic achievement by nominating persons for honorary academic degrees.

On the authorization of the Senate, the University annually awards honorary degrees in two categories, public service and academic, to individuals of great distinction. The Senate has delegated the responsibility for the recommendation of nominees for degrees other than LL.D. to the General Faculties Council.

The Faculty Councils, departments, and members of the academic staff are all invited to nominate candidates considered worthy of an honorary degree.

There have been no new nominations in the past calendar year, prompting GFC to urge the University community to look at academic achievers worthy of this prestigious honour.

The Council seeks to ensure that those whom it nominates for honorary degrees represent the summum bonum of the arts, letters, and sciences. Nominees, therefore, shall have demonstrated a rich contribution, whose quality is attested by the weight of international repute over an extended period. It is not essential that the nominee be Canadian, but to have made contributions to Alberta or been of genuine importance to the province.

Nominators are asked to complete a nomination form and/or forward the following documentation in confidence to the office of the General Faculties Council:
1. A confidential letter of nomination
2. An accompanying rationale
3. Biographical details of the nominee's academic career or curriculum vitae
4. The names and addresses of three (3) or more possible referees

The usual deadline for receipt of nominations each year is May 31, but with no nominations this past year, the deadline has been extended to Dec. 10. These nominations are considered for the award of an honorary degree at the ensuing spring and fall convocations. Accordingly, people are requested not to inform their nominees of the nomination.

Contact the GFC office (403-329-2201) for nomination forms and guidelines.