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Honorary Degrees
At California State University (CSU), honorary degrees are awarded to remarkable individuals whose contributions uplift humanity and make a meaningful difference across our campuses, our state, the nation, and the world.
The tradition began in June 1963, when then-President John F. Kennedy received CSU’s first honorary degree at San Diego State — a moment that set the tone for the caliber of impact we continue to celebrate today.
Each honoree is awarded a degree jointly from CSU and Sacramento State.
How to make a nomination
The nomination window closes on October 17, 2025.
Criteria
Nominees for honorary degrees must demonstrate high moral character and be distinguished in their respective fields.
- To recognize inspirational character, excellence, and extraordinary achievement in significant areas of human endeavor that reflect the objectives and ideals of the California State University.
- To honor outstanding service to the California State University collectively or to individual campuses, the State of California, the United States, or to humanity at large.
- To recognize individuals whose lives, conduct, and significant achievements serve as examples of the California State University’s aspirations for its diverse student body.
- The honoree must be present at the appropriate California State University function to accept the degree, or in the case of the honoree’s severe illness, a family member must be present at the appropriate function to accept the degree.
- For posthumous degrees, a family member must agree to accept the degree at an appropriate California State University function.
Strong consideration is given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the region primarily served by California State University, Sacramento.
Read the CSU Board of Trustees Policy for Awarding Honorary Degrees for detailed information about the process.
What to prepare for the nomination
- Your contact information (name, email, phone, and address required)
- The nominee’s contact information (name, organization, affiliation to Sacramento State, phone, and address required)
- Information about the nominee and their exemplary contributions
- Supporting documentation (pictures, articles, and other supporting evidence) is highly recommended to benefit the evaluation process. Letters of recommendation/support/endorsement are not needed.
Submit your nomination by Friday, October 17, 2025.
Previous recipients
Thomas L. Karlo
General Manager Emeritus, KPBS/SDSU
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD), 2025
Paul Lau
CEO, SMUD
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD), 2025
Randy Solorio
Gymnastics Head Coach (Ret.), Sacramento State
President's Medal for Distinguished Service, Awarded Posthumously, 2025
Read more about the 2025 recipients.
Russ Buettner
Investigative Reporter, The New York Times
Doctor of Humane Letters (Litt.D.) 2024
Roger G.F. Fong
Sacramento County Assessor (Ret.) and Five Star Bank Founding Chairman of the Board
Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) 2024
Liz Igra
President, Central Valley Holocaust Educators’ Network
Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) 2023
Mathilde Mukantabana
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda
Doctor of Humane Letters 2023
Esteban Villa
Emeritus Professor of Art, Sacramento State and Founding Member, Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF)
Doctor of Fine Arts 2022
May O. Lee
Founding Director, Asian Resources, Inc.
Doctor of Humane Letters 2022
Lee Ritchey
Founder and President, Speeding Edge
Doctor of Science 2021
Kevin Michael Nagle
Chairman & CEO, Sac Soccer & Entertainment Holdings
Doctor of Humane Letters 2020
Lorenda T. Sanchez
Executive Director, California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc.
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 Law