University Advancement

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Honorary Degree Recipients

All honorary degrees awarded by California State University, Northridge are conferred by the Board of Trustees of the California State University, in the name of Cal State Northridge and the California State University. The university will accept nominations for honorary degrees throughout the year. However, in order to be considered for the spring conferral, please submit your nomination by the Friday of the second week of October prior to Commencement.

If you would like to nominate a person who has "demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit CSU campuses, the state, nation and/or world", please submit the Honorary Degree Nomination form or email the President’s Office.

A complete list of honorary degrees awarded by the California State University, as well as detailed information pertaining to the conferral policy is available at the CSU Web site.

List of CSUN Honorary Degree Recipients

Rudy Ortega Jr.Rudy Ortega Jr.
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2023

Charles YuCharles Yu
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2023

Milt ValeraMilt Valera
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2023

 

Irene F. TovarIrene F. Tovar 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 23, 2022

Paul JenningsPaul S. Jennings 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2022

Susan BurtonSusan Burton 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 20, 2019

 

Younes NazarianYounes Nazarian 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters degree 
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 19, 2018

Judy BacaJudy Baca 
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts degree
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 18, 2018

William C. GriffethWilliam C. Griffeth 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters 
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 19, 2017

Michael WatanabeMichael Watanabe 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2017

Harvey Bookstein 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters 
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2016

Rev. James Lawson 
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 23, 2016

Photo of Robert Townsend

Robert Townsend
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 17, 2015

Photo of Zev YaroslavskyZev Yaroslavsky
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 17, 2015

Photo of William "Bill" Allen.

William C. "Bill" Allen
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters 
Date Awarded: May 22, 2014

Photo of Asad M. MadniAsad M. Madni
Degree: Doctor of Science
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2013

Photo of Vincent P. Barabba.Vincent P. Barabba
Degree: Doctor of Law
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 24, 2012

Photo of James Berk.James Berk
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 24, 2011

Photo of Michelle DeYoung.Michelle DeYoung
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 18, 2010
Photo of Mike Curb.Mike Curb
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 18, 2009
Photo of David Fleming.David Fleming
Degree: Doctor of Law
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 20, 2009
Photo of Charles H. Noski.Charles H. Noski
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: June 1, 2007
Photo of Michael D. Eisner.Michael D. Eisner
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: June 3, 2005
Photo of Philip S. Magaram.Philip S. Magaram
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 28, 2003
Photo of Albert J. McNeil.Albert J. McNeil
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 28, 2003
Photo of Alan Armer.Alan Armer
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 31, 2002
Photo of Dolores C. Huerta.Dolores C. Huerta
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 29, 2002
Photo of Peter Hemmings.Peter Hemmings 
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: June 1, 2000
Photo of James David Power III.James David Power III
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: June 3, 1999
Photo of August Wilson.August Wilson
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: June 2, 1999
Photo of Harold M. Williams.Harold M. Williams
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 28, 1998
Photo of Abraham Polonsky.Abraham Polonsky
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 27, 1998
Photo of Carol Vaness.Carol Vaness
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: April 4, 1998
Photo of Ann Lieberman.Ann Lieberman
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters 
Date Awarded: May 30, 1997
Photo of Scott Horowitz.Scott Horowitz
Degree: Doctor of Science
Date Awarded: May 29, 1997
Photo of Andres Segovia.Andres Segovia
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: February 18, 1983
Photo of Margaret Chase Smith.Margaret Chase Smith
Degree: Doctor of Laws
Date Awarded: May 31, 1974