August 24, 2026
SIU Carbondale accepting honorary degree/service award nominations
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Nominations are open for Southern Illinois University Carbondale honorary degrees and distinguished service awards to be presented at May 2027 commencement ceremonies.
The SIU School of Medicine in Springfield is also eligible. The deadline is Oct. 14. The nominating committee, comprising faculty and university constituency members, will submit award recommendations to Chancellor Austin A. Lane, who will forward his recommendation to SIU System President Daniel Mahony for approval at the SIU Board of Trustees Dec. 3 meeting.
Honorary degrees are presented to individuals who have made outstanding scholarly contributions or are of considerable renown in any field of activity. The degree can also be awarded to people who have uniquely contributed to human well-being or whose accomplishments resulted in a marked benefit to society. Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals who have contributed to Southern Illinois, the state, nation, world or the university. No university employee will be considered for the service award in the year they are retiring, although exceptionally qualified employees can be considered for the award either before or after the year they retire.
Nomination letters must include a two- or three-page resume, curriculum vita or biographic sketch that includes a description of the nominee’s unique contributions. All nominations, including with the nominee, are confidential. More information about these awards is available at universityevents.siu.edu.
Lists of previous recipients for honorary degrees and distinguished service awards are available.
Direct all inquiries to Sarah VanVooren, executive director, Community Relations and University Events at svanvoo@siu.edu.
Completed nominations should be sent to: Committee Support Staff, Courtney Howell, Office of the Chancellor-Events and Outreach, Mail Code 6705, Anthony Hall, Room 0015, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, 62901. For information, contact her at 618-453-7437 or by email at courtneyc@siu.edu.
Please indicate in the submission whether the nomination is for an honorary degree or distinguished service award.