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HONORARY DEGREE and COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

The nomination period is closed but will reopen in the fall of 2025.

Guest Speakers/Honorary Degree Nominations

Weber State University will accept nominations for the 2025/2026 Commencement Guest Speakers and Honorary Degree recipients through October 6, 2024. Any individual or group from the community may nominate individuals for this honor.

Honorary Degree Nomination Qualifications

  1. They have distinguished themselves and have contributed significantly to society on a local, state, regional, national, or international basis.
  2. Have demonstrated interest in and given significant support for higher education, especially Weber State University.
  3. Could help increase the recognition and enhance the image of Weber State University.
  4. Have rendered outstanding service to the university, positively influenced its growth and development, and have contributed to its educational mission.

(Nominations for guest speakers will also receive an Honorary Degree and should be consistent with criteria one and three above)

All nominations must be received no later than October 6, 2024. Any nominations that are submitted after that date will be held and considered for the 2026/2027 commencements.

Individuals may nominate more than one candidate, but a separate submission must be completed for each candidate you would like to be considered.

If you need assistance submitting a nomination, contact Sherri Cox at 801-626-6001 or sherricox@weber.edu.

Past Honorary Degree Recipients

1965 David O. McKay
1966 Aaron W. Tracy
1967 Val A. Browning
1969 David M. Kennedy
1970 J. Willard Marriott, Sr.
1970 Ira A. Huggins
1971 Mark Evans Austad
1972 William P. Miller
1973 Elizabeth D. S. Stewart
1973 Willard L. Eccles
1974 Lawrence T. Dee
1974 Paul Bransom
1975 Joseph F. Breeze
1975 Richard K. Hemingway
1976 Governor Calvin L. Rampton
1976 Gilbert C. Moesinger
1977 Farrell R. Collett
1977 E. Lynn Foley
1978 Frank Francis, Jr.
1978 Joseph L. Bishop
1979 A. Russell Croft
1979 Harold W. Ritchey
1980 Maestro Maurice Abravanel
1980 Thomas D. Dee, II
1980 Phyllis Brown Marriott
1981 Elliot L. Richardson
1981 Wilda Gene Glasmann Hatch
1981 George S. Eccles
1982 Terrel H. Bell
1982 Donnell B. Stewart
1982 John A. Lindquist
1983 William H. Child
1983 John B. Goddard
1983 Elder Boyd K. Packer
1983 Dee Glen Smith
1984 Lucybeth C. Rampton
1984 Robert T. Heiner
1984 John Aldous Dixon
1985 William C. DeVries
1985 Norma W. Matheson
1985 Scott M. Matheson
1985 Obert C. Tanner
1986 Rodney H. Brady
1986 Sister Francis Forster
1986 R. Gilbert Moore
1987 Myrene Rich Brewer
1987 H. Tracy Hall
1987 Herbert B. Maw
1988 Neil A. Armstrong
1988 Walter R. Buss
1988 William J. Critchlow, III
1988 Jack D. Lampros
1988 Mary W. Miller
1989 Robert A. Clarke
1989 James R. Foulger
1989 John S. Hinckley
1989 Blanche B. Rich
1989 Merlon L. Stevenson
1989 Orson Whitney Young
1989 Henry Aldous Dixon
1989 Louis F. Moench
1989 Lewis W. Shurtliff
1990 Nolan D. Archibald
1990 Dean W. Hurst
1990 James L. Sundquist
1990 Ruth P. Swenson
1991 Wilma Grose
1991 Telitha Ellis Lindquist
1991 Stephen D. Nadauld
1992 Spencer F. Eccles
1992 Vytautas Landsbergis
1992 Melba S. Lehner
1992 Marguerite L. Horton
1992 Orlo E. Childs
1993 Norman H. Bangerter
1993 David G. Norton
1993 Alex P. Hurtado
1993 The Hon. Christine Meaders Durham
1994 Raymond S. Uno
1994 E. LaMar Buckner
1994 Dee Ward Hock
1994 Barbara B. Smith
1995 Patricia P. Henry
1995 Robert L. Marquardt
1995 Richard E. Myers
1995 Raymond J. Noorda
1995 Louis S. Peery
1996 Dick Motta
1996 LaVon B. Carroll
1996 C. Charles Hetzel
1996 Haven J. Barlow
1996 Jay B. Taggart
1997 Deborah Tannen
1997 Jay W. Glasmann
1997 A. Kent Randall
1997 Barbara Lindquist Tanner
1997 Johnnetta B. Cole
1997 Clifford S. LeFevre
1997 Olene S. Walker
1998 Jun Carolyn Rich Nebeker
1998 Jun Dean F. Morrin
1998 Jun Stan Davis
1998 Jun Tom Davidson
1998 Dec Jewel Lee "Julie" Kenley
1998 Dec W. Charles "Chuck" Swanson
1998 Dec Jean Bickmore White
1998 Dec E. J. "Jake" Garn
1999 May Fred S. Ball
1999 May Alan L. Nye
1999 May Velma Saunders
1999 May Gordon B. Hinckley
1999 Dec Thomas R. Burton
1999 Dec Geraldine W. Goddard
1999 Dec William R. Kimball
1999 Dec Richard L. Bushman
2000 May Jon M. Huntsman
2000 May Inge H. Adams-Nelson
2000 May C. William Stromber (Bill)
2000 May Alan E. Hall
2000 Dec Gary E. Close
2000 Dec Larzette G. Hale
2000 Dec Margaret Wheatley
2001 May Caseel D. Burke
2001 May Ben H. Day
2001 May Larry H. Miller
2001 May Jerry C. Moyes
2001 Dec Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr.
2001 Dec Helen J. James (Lundak)
2001 Dec John P. Kotter
2002 May Kem C. Gardner
2002 May Paul G. Hawken
2002 May Barry D. Mower
2002 May Jay B. Taggart
2002 Dec Paul H. Thompson
2002 Dec Bert W. Winterton
2002 Dec Adele C. Young
2002 Dec Dale W. Young
2003 May Roger B. Porter
2003 May Richard Richards
2003 May J. Farrell Shepherd
2003 May Keith W. Wilcox
2003 Dec Gary L. Crittenden
2004 May Robert H. DeBoer
2004 May Omar M. Kader
2004 May Jean Andra Miller
2004 May Jack B. Parson, Jr.
2004 Dec Clayton M. Christensen
2005 May Kenneth A. Randall
2005 May Carolyn "Mitzi" A. Brady
2005 May Roy W. Simmons
2005 May Richard C. Roberts
2005 Dec Sister Stephanie Mongeon
2006 May Margaret O. Bennett
2006 May Jane Hammond Brewer
2006 May Martha Ann Dumke Healy
2006 May J. W. Marriott, Jr.
2006 Dec H. Raymond Bingham   
2007 May Vernon M. Buehler
2007 May Robert P. Dotson
2007 May Sharon Rich Lewis
2007 May Carol C. Tribe
2008 May H. DeWayne Ashmead
2008 May Right Rev Carolyn Tanner Irish
2008 May Candadai Seshachari
2008 May Jean Ann Waterstradt
                           
2009 May E. Rich Brewer
2009 May Charles "Chick" Hislop
2009 May Betty Hinckley Nibley
2009 May Jerry Petersen
2009 Dec Pamela J. Atkinson
2010 Apr Leola L. Davidson
2010 Apr Nancy L. Davidson
2010 Apr Carol W. Hurst
2010 Apr Thomas S. Monson
2010 Dec Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft
2011 Apr Mac Christensen
2011 Apr Gov. Michael O. Leavitt
2011 Apr Orluff Opheikens
2011 Apr Robert B. Smith
2011 Dec Paul Alan Cox
2012 Apr Gordon T. Allred
2012 Apr Mark W. DeYoung
2012 Apr Paul Favero
2012 Apr Harris H. Simmons
2012 Dec Gail Miller-Wilson
2013 Apr Sid W. Foulger
2013 Apr Karen Blair Lofgreen
2013 Apr Bevery Taylor Sorenson
2013 Apr Jon H. Huntsman, Jr.
2013 Dec Joné Law Koford
2014 Apr Ann Millner
2014 Apr Henry S. Heminway
2014 Apr Van Summerill
2014 Dec Daniel Walker Howe
2015 May Mary Hall
2015 May Thomas "Tim" D. Dee III
2015 May Ray Kimber
2015 May John E. Lindquist
2015 Dec Roger Trinchero
2016 Apr 29 David Hall
2016 Apr 29 Kathryn Lindquist
2016 Apr 29 George Hall
2016 Apr 29 Vickie McCall
2016 Dec Alan Hall
2017 Apr 28 Karla Bergeson
2017 Apr 28 Evelyn Harris
2017 Apr 28 Don Salazar
2017 Apr 28 Steve Petersen
2017 Dec 15 Gregory S. Bell
2018 Apr 27 Sir Chris Bonington
2018 Apr 27 Dixilee Merrell Blackinton
2018 Apr 27 Judge Jill N. Parrish
2018 Apr 27 Rev. France A. Davis
2019 Apr 26 Jeanne Hall
2019 Apr 26 Dr. Jack Wahlen
2019 Apr 26 Judith Mitchel
2019 Apr 26 Robert Harris
2020 Aug 29 James Hurst
2020 Aug 29 Sam Zeveloff
2020 Aug 29 Joe McQueen (posthumous degree)
2020 Aug 29 Crystal Call Maggelet
2021 Apr 29 Ta'u Pupu'a
2021 Apr 29 Cecilia H. Foxley
2021 Apr 29 Lou Jean Flint
2021 Apr 29 Gene Sessions                                        2022 Apr 29 Fred Lampropoulos                              2022 Apr 29 Norma Kier                                            2022 Apr 29 Kathy Mower                                        2022 Apr 29 Jeff Stephens                                          2023 Apr 28 Steve Starks
2023 Apr 28 Karen Mayne
2023 Apr 28 Javier Chavez, Sr.
2023 Apr 28 Forrest Crawford
2024 Apr 26 Rainn Wilson
2024 Apr 26 Jane Marquardt
2024 Apr 26 Craig Oberg
2024 Apr 26 Jodi Lynn Smith
 
 
 
 
 
                  

Past Commencement Speakers

1967 Gale McGee
1968 James C. Fletcher
1969 David M. Kennedy
1970 William E. Davis
1971 Terrel H. Bell
1972 L. H. Curtis
1973 Ernest L. Wilkinson
1974 Mark Evans Austad
1975 Frank E. Moss
1976 Art Linkletter
1977 Terrel H. Bell
1978 Joseph L. Bishop
1979 Rodney H. Brady
1980 Phyllis Brown Marriott
1981 Elliot L. Richardson
1982 John A Lindquist
1983 Elder Boyd K. Packer
1984 Lucybeth C. Rampton
1985 Hon. Degree acceptance speeches only:
1985 Obert C. Tanner
1985 Cathryn Nuttall for William C. Devries
1986 Hon. Degree acceptance speeches only:
1986 Rodney H. Brady
1986 Sister Francis Forster
1987 R. Gilbert Moore
1987 Hon. Degree acceptance speeches only:
1987 Myrene Rich Brewer
1987 H. Tracy Hall
1987 Herbert B. Maw
1988 Neil A. Armstrong
1990 Nolan D. Archibald
1991 Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld
1992 Spencer F. Eccles
1993 The Hon. Christine Meaders Durham
1994 Dee Ward Hock
1995 Dr. Patricia P. Henry
1996 Dr. LaVon B. Carroll
1996 Jay Taggart
1997 May Deborah Tannen
1997 Dec Johnnetta B. Cole
1998 May Stan Davis
1998 Dec E. J. "Jake" Garn
1999 May Gordon B. Hinckley
1999 Dec Dr. Richard L. Bushman
2000 May Jon M. Huntsman
2000 Dec Margaret Wheatley
2001 May Larry H. Miller
2001 Dec John P. Kotter
2002 May Paul G. Hawken
2002 Dec Paul H. Thompson
2003 May Roger B. Porter
2003 Dec Gary L. Crittenden
2004 May Omar M. Kader
2004 Dec Clayton M. Christensen
2005 May Kenneth A. (Kay) Randall
2005 Dec Sister Stephanie Mongeon
2006 May J. W. Marriott, Jr.
2006 Dec H. Raymond Bingham
2007 May Robert P. Dotson
2007 Dec R. Scott Marquardt
2008 May Right Rev Carolyn Tanner Irish
2008 Dec Dr. Richard E. Kendell
2009 May Jerry Petersen
2009 Dec Pamela Atkinson
2010 Apr Thomas S. Monson
2010 Dec Lt. General Brent Scowcroft
2011 Apr Gov. Michael O. Leavitt
2011 Dec Paul Alan Cox
2012 Apr Mark W. DeYoung
2012 Dec Gail Miller-Wilson
2013 Apr Jon H. Huntsman, Jr.
2013 Dec Joné Law Koford
2014 Apr Ann Millner
2014 Dec Daniel Walker Howe
2015 Apr Damian Lillard (special guest)
2015 Apr Mary Hall
2015 Dec Roger Trinchero
2016 May David Hall
2016 Dec Alan Hall
2017 Apr Karla Bergeson
2017 Dec Gregory S. Bell
2018 Apr Chris Bonington
2018 Dec Rev. France Davis
2019 Apr Jeanne Hall
2019 Dec Robert Harris
2020 Aug Crystal Call Maggelet
2020 Dec No Commencement due to Covid-19
2021 Apr Ta'u Pupu'a                                                2022 Apr Fred Lampropoulos
2023 Apr Steve Starks
2024 Apr Rainn Wilson