Arn Chorn-Pond ’92, the founder and director of the Cambodian Master Performers Program, smiles after receiving an honorary degree from PC during May 2007 Commencement Exercises. The College is currently seeking nominations for honorary degrees for commencement in May 2008.

In a recent e-mail to the campus community, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 said that among the criteria a candidate could possess is that he or she be:

• a PC alumnus or alumna whose life and accomplishments embody the mission and values of the College . . . men and women who truly have “transformed society”;
• an eminent scholar whose teaching, research, and writing have made significant contributions that advance knowledge in their chosen fields of study; and/or 
• an outstanding donor whose generosity of spirit and resources has made a lasting impact on the College’s ability to provide an exceptional educational experience for its students.

Father Shanley also said that the College is making an effort to secure commencement speakers for next May and several years in advance, in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. Commencement speakers receive honorary degrees as well.

In finding well-known speakers, he said the importance of having a personal connection to that individual—through a faculty or staff member, student, alumnus or alumna, parent, or other College representative—is both invaluable and essential. The College, he noted, does not pay an honorarium to its commencement speaker.

Father Shanley also said that while it is always exciting to pay tribute to individuals of great fame who have lived lives of meaning and service, the College does not seek out celebrity for its own sake.

Alumni who wish to nominate worthy candidates for honorary degrees are asked to submit names for consideration to the chair of the Honorary Degree Committee, Patricia S. Vieira ’75, associate vice president for college relations and planning, at pvieira@providence.edu.