Victoria University Honorary Degrees
Honorary degrees recognize extraordinary accomplishments and honour the exemplary lives of individuals who have made remarkable contributions in their field, career, or community, in provincial, national or international forums.
The high esteem of these honorary degree recipients should be such that, in the awarding of the honorary degree to them, honour and distinction are also brought to Victoria University. They should inspire and lead by example.
The Senate Executive Committee also considers candidates whose accomplishments reflect the distinctiveness of Victoria University, including fostering diversity and the practices of inclusive excellence.
The degree of Doctor of Divinity may be conferred upon persons who have made a significant contribution to the Church or to its mission; the degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters may be conferred upon persons who have made a significant contribution to the study of Theology or Religion. Members of the Order of Ministry and laity are eligible for consideration for either degree.
The degree of Doctor of Humane Letters may be conferred upon persons whose outstanding contributions to society exemplify the values that Victoria University seeks to cultivate in its members.
Honorary degrees are normally conferred in May at the Victoria University Convocation, at which Emmanuel College students receive their degrees.
Honorary graduands may be Canadian or non-Canadian. They must, however, attend Convocation for the conferring of their degree. The Committee does not consider nominees who are active faculty or staff members (including those who have retired within the past five years), current students, and members of the governing bodies of both Victoria University and the University of Toronto (including its federated universities and constituent colleges), politicians or individuals currently holding political office and members of the judiciary.
Nominations for Honorary Degrees: deadline November 19, 2025
Honorary Degree Nomination Form (fillable PDF)