Honorary Degree Recipients Records

 Collection
Identifier: AC 0295

Scope and Contents

The Honorary Degree Recipient Records contains files on honorary degree and distinguished Nevada recipients, 1937-1969. The information includes brief biographical sketches of the recipients, correspondence, and photographs.

Dates

  • 1937-1969

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Materials must be used on-site; advance notice suggested. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Administrative History

The first honorary degree was awarded in 1888, to Hannah K. Clapp. In the minutes of the Board of Regents, August 15, 1888, is recorded that "Upon Resolution it was ordered that the degree of M.A. be conferred upon Professor Hannah K. Clapp by the Board of Regents." Several degrees were awarded after that date, but it wasn't until July 27, 1908, that the Board established policy by announcing that "It is hereby resolved...that no honorary degrees be hereafter granted...except for distinguished and unusual public, scientific, literary or educational attainments..." The practice of awarding honorary degrees was sporadic after that date, and was suspended briefly, when in 1941, the Board expressed itself as not in favor of granting the degrees and moved that it be general policy not to grant them any longer. This was reversed in May 1944, however, when they voted to award the Degree of Doctor of Laws to Charles H. Gorman in recognition of his 30 years service and his incumbency as acting president. Since that time, honorary degrees have been regularly awarded.

The Distinguished Nevadan award was established in 1958, when acting president William Wood proposed to the Board that such an award be made each year at commencement. "The purpose...to recognize prominent individuals, who are present or former residents of the state...for their significant achievements contributing to the cultural, economic, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada; or for educational service to the state or nation that has influenced constructively the well-being of mankind." The Board of Regents approved the award, and the first recipients, James Edward Church, Peter Frandsen, and Stanley Pargellis, received the award that same year.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The first honorary degree was awarded in 1888, to Hannah K. Clapp. In the minutes of the Board of Regents, August 15, 1888, is recorded that "Upon Resolution it was ordered that the degree of M.A. be conferred upon Professor Hannah K. Clapp by the Board of Regents." This collection contains files on honorary degree and distinguished Nevada recipients, 1937-1969. The information includes brief biographical sketches of the recipients, correspondence, and photographs.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transferred from the Board of Regents on an unknown date.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Honorary Degree Recipients Records
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University of Nevada, Reno. University Archives Repository

https://library.unr.edu/SpeColl
Contact:
Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno NV 89557-0322 USA
775-682-5665
775-682-5724 (Fax)