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Honorary Degrees
About Honorary Degrees
The California State University awards honorary degrees to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit humanity, CSU campuses, the state, nation and/or world. Recipients are recognized and honored for their exemplary contributions. The degrees are given by the CSU Board of Trustees in the name of the California State University and in the name of the campus. The CSU awarded its first honorary degree to then-President John F. Kennedy in June 1963 at San Diego State University.
For more information, view the California State University Board of Trustees policy for awarding honorary degrees.
2022 Submissions
Things to consider before submitting a nomination:
The submission form must be submitted completely. Partially complete submissions will not be accepted.
Questions that will be asked when submitting a nomination (* means required)
- Nominator contact information (*name, *email, *phone, *address)
- Nominee contact information (*name, *organization, *affiliation to Sac State, email, address, phone)
- Additional information about nominee
* How does the nominee demonstrate inspirational character, excellence and extraordinary achievement in significant areas of human endeavor that reflect the objectives and ideals of the California State University?
* What is your nominee's community involvement?
* How does your nominee's life, conduct, and significant achievements serve as examples of the California State University's aspirations for its diverse student body?
* Please provide any additional information that supports your nominee’s selection.
Nominations without any additional supporting documentation or letters of recommendation are often not sufficient enough for the Selection Committee to evaluate compared to complete submissions.
Deadline to submit a nominee for the 2021/22 Honorary Doctorate was October 22, 2021
2021 Recipients

Lee Ritchey
Founder and President, Speeding Edge
2021 Honorary Doctor of Science
Lee Ritchey is the Founder and President of Speeding Edge, an international company engaged in training, consulting, and publishing on high-speed design topics such as signal integrity analysis, printed circuit board (PCB) design and electromagnetic interference (EMI) control. Through Speeding Edge, Mr. Ritchey has taught over 11,000 engineers– both domestic and international. He is a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, founding member of the Printed Circuit Design Conference, member of the DesignCon Conference Planning Committee, and Cofounder and Sponsor of Hornet Leadership Program.
Mr. Ritchey has written over 100 technical articles published in trade journals and conference proceedings, and authored three internationally recognized books: High Speed PCB Design (1999), Right the First Time, A Practical Handbook on High Speed PCB and System Design, Volumes 1 and 2 (2003, 2006).

Joy Stewart-James
Associate Vice President, Student Health and Counseling Services, Sacramento State
2021 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service
Dr. Joy Stewart-James is Sacramento State’s associate vice president for Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS). She came to college health and wellness in August 2007 after working more than 20 years for a large hospital health care system in Austin, Texas, overseeing ambulatory care clinics, including several inpatient and outpatient departments. Soon after coming to Sacramento State, she oversaw the design and construction of a new state-of-the-art health center, The WELL, which opened in September 2010 and includes an urgent care medical clinic, and facilities for primary care, women’s health, laboratory services, radiology, pharmacy, health education, counseling, psychiatry services, victim support services, and athletic training. During her first two years, she successfully integrated health and counseling services and transitioned to a shared electronic health record, which supports a holistic, interdisciplinary care model.

Rekhi Singh
Managing Director, R. Systems
2021 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service
Rekhi Singh ’88 (M.B.A.) wants Sacramento State students to be happy. “If you are grateful, you will be happy,” he says. “If you are social, you will be happy.” Mr. Singh first became interested in the science of happiness about six years ago, eventually establishing a research center on the topic at his undergraduate alma mater in India. In his personal life, he practices gratitude daily. Before going to sleep, he thinks about the things for which he is grateful, no matter how small.
In 2019, the businessman, entrepreneur and Hornet alumnus brought that mindset to Sacramento State, making a gift to the University to establish the campus’s very first endowed professorship, the Rekhi Singh Endowed Professor in Happiness. Housed within the Department of Psychology, the position promotes happiness through academic research, curriculum development, cross-campus partnerships and other activities.
Previous Recipients
Kevin Michael Nagle
Chairman & CEO, Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings
Doctor of Humane Letters 2020
Marlene Marie von Friederichs-Fitzwater
Emeritus Faculty and Founder of the Health Communication Research Institute Inc.
Doctor of Humane Letters 2019
Hazel Witten Mahone
Emeritus Faculty, Author, and Advocate
Doctor of Humane Letters 2019
Alice A. Huffman
Political Activist
Doctor of Humane Letters 2018
Ruth M. Rippon
Distinguished Artist
Doctor of Fine Arts 2018
Ernest E. Tschannen
Philanthropist
Doctor of Humane Letters 2018
Cheryl Dell '82 (Communication Studies)
Former newspaper executive
Doctor of Humane Letters 2017
Ephraim Williams
Pastor
Doctor of Humane Letters 2017
Gregory Kondos '51, MA '57 (Art)
Artist
Doctor of Fine Arts 2016
David Lucchetti '67 (Physical Education), Credential '68
Business Leader
Doctor of Humane Letters 2016
Lester Holt
News anchor, NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC
Doctor of Humane Letters 2015
Joyce Raley Teel
Businesswoman
Doctor of Humane Letters 2015
Dale Carlsen '84 (Business Administration)
Doctor of Humane Letters 2013
Hugo Noe Morales Rosas
Doctor of Fine Arts 2011
Cruz Reynoso
Doctor of Laws 2012
Marcy Friedman
Doctor of Fine Arts 2010
Mario G. Obledo
Doctor of Laws 2010
Frederick Teichert '95 MBA
Doctor of Humane Letters 2009
Winnie Leung, MS '97 (Accountancy)
Doctor of Humane Letters 2007
Roger Valine '73 (Sociology)
Doctor of Humane Letters 2007
Robert T. Matsui
Doctor of Laws 2006
Hans J.A. Van Ginkel
Doctor of Letters 2003
Ingrid Moses
Doctor of Letters 2003
Phillip L. Isenberg '61 (Social Science)
Doctor of Letters 2002
Richard W. Riley
Doctor of Humane Letters 2001
Grantland Johnson '74 (Government)
Doctor of Humane Letters 2001
Dorothy Stevens Enomoto
Doctor of Humane Letters 2001
Steven Lee Yamshon '77 (Envrionmental Resources)
Doctor of Humane Letters 1999
Angelo K. Tsakopoulos '60 (History)
Doctor of Humane Letters 1998
Wayne Thiebaud '51, MA '53 (Art)
Doctor of Fine Arts 1998
Heitor Gurgulino de Souza
Doctor of Laws 1996
Sisbusiso M.E. Bengu
Doctor of Laws 1996
Federico Mayor
Doctor of Laws 1996
Anna Deavere Smith
Doctor of Fine Arts 1996
George Perle
Doctor of Fine Arts 1996
Lou Harrison
Doctor of Fine Arts 1993
Nathaniel S. Colley, Sr.
Doctor of Laws 1988
Albert S. Rodda
Doctor of Laws 1987