Call for Nominations—2026 Honorary Doctoral Degree
Dear Colleagues:
As we celebrate commencement today, we are reminded that FSC has an exciting opportunity
to award an exceptional individual connected with our campus an honorary doctoral
degree from the State University of New York (SUNY). Once approved, it is anticipated
that this individual will address our graduates during the 2026 commencement. Given
the procedures for selection outlined by SUNY, we would like to begin the process
as early as possible and provide you, our faculty and staff, with the opportunity
to share your recommendations. We invite nominations via this Qualtrics nomination form.
Honorary doctoral degrees awarded by SUNY are to recognize excellence in the fields
of the degrees authorized at SUNY campuses as well as business, philanthropy, public
affairs, and public service which exemplify SUNY's mission. The ideal nominee would
embody a strong connection to our region, institution, and/or SUNY as a whole. Individuals
who are nominated can demonstrate a connection by being a graduate of SUNY, and/or
having participated in campus programs, partnered in scholarly or creative activity
with our faculty or students, or assisted the campus with programmatic development.
When considering nominations, please keep in mind that current SUNY faculty and administrative
staff, individuals who have already received a SUNY honorary degree, and current holders
or candidates of New York elective public office are NOT eligible for an honorary
degree.
A committee comprised of FSC faculty and staff will review the nominations and make
recommendations to the president and ultimately to SUNY. In addition to myself, the
committee is comprised of:
Tracy Callender
Michael Fraina
Christine Freaney
Mimi Johnson
Ken Lee
Chris Maio (co-chair)
Lukas Miedreich
Michelle Miranda
Please submit your nominations by June 30, 2025. On behalf of the committee, I thank
you in advance for your consideration and thoughtful responses.
Laura Joseph, EdD
Senior Vice President and Provost
