The University of Michigan community is being asked to nominate individuals who have contributed to their field or society to be considered for honorary degrees.

“We encourage nominations of outstanding individuals who have changed our world with their ideas, talents, service and leadership,” said President Domenico Grasso. “Crucially, U-M commencement speakers are typically selected from this pool of approved honorary degree candidates. This is your opportunity to bring forward the names of individuals who have inspired you, or sparked change in your field.”

In a calendar year, the committee typically meets three times, in the fall, spring and summer. Although nominations can be submitted at any time, the nominating deadline for candidates to be considered for the 2027 Spring and Winter Commencement Exercises is 5 p.m. Feb. 27.

The committee, chaired by Rackham Graduate School Dean Michael J. Solomon, includes faculty members from the Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campuses, students and alumni, all of whom are appointed by the Board of Regents on the recommendation of the president.

“Recipients of a U-M honorary degree bring connection and distinction to our university as a whole,” Solomon said. “I therefore invite all members of our community — faculty, students, staff and alumni — to consider nominating distinguished individuals who exemplify the aspirations of our institution.”

U-M commencement speakers are typically drawn from the pool of those approved for honorary degrees.

Past recipients include musician Wynton Marsalis, President Barack Obama, athlete Derek Jeter, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta, U.S. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, journalist Christiane Amanpour, artist Michele Oka Doner, poet Rita Dove and economist Robert J. Shiller among many others.