Honorary Degree and Granite State Awards
Commencement is an important part of university life where we celebrate the culmination of hard work and achievement. Commencement awards recognize individuals whose achievements have made significant contributions to the citizens of the State of New Hampshire or society as a whole.
Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the university are invited to submit nominations for potential commencement speakers, Honorary Degree and Granite State Award recipients to the Honorary Degrees and Granite State Awards Committee for review.
The nomination period is open until November 8 for the following May Commencement ceremony. Please submit your nominations. The committee will review the nominations and provide a list of recommended nominees to the President. If you have any questions, please contact commencement.awards@unh.edu.
Commencement Speaker
Commencement is the University's signature academic event. Choosing an appropriate commencement speaker is a collaborative process that requires careful consideration. Honorary Degrees and Granite State Awards Committee members review commencement speaker suggestions before sending recommendations to the President’s Office.
Commencement speakers are chosen based on their ability to inspire, motivate, and provide enlightenment by sharing experiences that elicit curiosity, instill knowledge, educate, and offer wisdom to students as they enter the next phase of their lives.
The ideas for the best speakers typically come from within the University community: students, faculty, staff, alumni, or benefactors who have an existing relationship or contact with suggested speakers.
If you have a suggestion for a commencement speaker, please submit your nomination. If you have any information that cannot be submitted or uploaded, send it to:
Honorary Degrees and Granite State Awards Administration
c/o Commencement Office
Elliott Alumni Center
9 Edgewood Road
Durham, NH 03824
unh.commencement@unh.edu
