Honorary Degrees and Recipients

History of Honorary Degrees

The practice of conferring honorary degrees dates from the Middle Ages, as do many of the traditions surrounding college and university commencement ceremonies. The University of Oxford awarded its first honorary degree in the 1470s. More than 200 years later, in 1692, Harvard University was the first American institution to confer honorary degrees upon individuals for outstanding contributions in a particular field of study or to society in general.

Honorary Degrees at Albertus Magnus College

Albertus Magnus College awarded its first honorary degree in 1936 to Margaret L. Keefe, superintendent of schools from 1912 to 1954 in neighboring Hamden. She was recognized for her outstanding commitment and dedication to educating Hamden’s young people.

The Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.) is the most frequently awarded honorary degree here at the College, followed by Doctor of Law (LL.D.).

Honorary Degrees Awarded Through May 2023

May 19, 2024
Cindi Bigelow D.H.L.
Sr. Mary Grace Walsh '80, ASCJ, Ph.D. D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2024 Recipients
May 21, 2023
Dianne M. PinderhughesD.H.L.
Joseph P. Germain, Jr. D.H.L.
Joan E. Sacco D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2023 Recipients
May 22, 2022
Raymond J. PeachD.H.L.
Patricia A. Twohill, O.P.D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2022 Recipients
May 16, 2021
Marna P. BorgstromD.H.L.
Jeanne M. Dennison '78D.H.L.
William (Bill) J. Doyle Esq. (posthumous)D.H.L.
Chris LowneyD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2020 & 2021 Recipients
May 19, 2019
Kerry Alys RobinsonD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2019 RecipientD.H.L.
May 20, 2018
Erik ClemonsD.H.L.
Harold W. AttridgeD.H.L.
Jan AttridgeD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2018 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 21, 2017
Reverend Robert L. BeloinD.H.L.
Kica MatosD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2017 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 22, 2016
Joseph R. CrespoD.H.L.
Claire L. CriscuoloD.H.L.
Daniel H. DiazD.H.L.
David S. GrecoD.H.L.
Monsignor Gerard G. SchmitzD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2016 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 17, 2015
Brother James Branigan, C.S.C.D.H.L.
The Honorable Toni Nathaniel Harp D.H.L.
Ellin Mulholland ’51D.H.L.
Sr. Mauryeen O’Brien, O.P.D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2015 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 18, 2014
Rabbi Herbert N. BrockmanD.H.L.
Drew S. Days IIID.H.L.
Sr. Janice McLaughlin, M.M.D.H.L.
Denys TurnerD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2014 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 13, 2013
Ms. Barbara DeBaptisteD.H.L.
The Honorable John T. DowneyD.H.L.
Sister Doris Regan, O.P.D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2013 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 20, 2012
Dorsey L. KendrickD.H.L.
Ragaa MazenD.H.L.
Reverend Timothy A.MeehanD.H.L.
Joan V. O'Brien, ’46D.H.L.
Learn More about the 2012 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 15, 2011
Sr. Charles Marie Brantl, O.P., AMC ’51D.H.L.
Sr. Mary Faith Dargan, O.P., AMC ’53D.H.L.
Natalia Icaza Holland AMC ’40D.H.L.
Marcus R. McCravenD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2011 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 16, 2010
Carl A. AndersonD.H.L.
Sr. Ann Bailie, O.P.D.H.L.
Jane Nady Sigmon, AMC ’70D.H.L.
Lula WhiteD.H.L.
Learn More about the 2010 RecipientsD.H.L.
May 19, 2009
Sr. Anne Kilbride, O.P.D.H.L.
Margaret Badum Melady, Ph.D.D.H.L.
Honorable Thomas Patrick Melady, Ph.D.D.H.L.
May 18, 2008
Charles G. CrumpD.H.L.
Carlton L. HighsmithD.H.L.
Thelma M. JohnsonD.H.L.
Valerie F. LewisD.H.L.
Jacqueline Noonan, M.D., AMC ’50D.H.L.
May 20, 2007
David Hayes, M.F.A.D.H.L.
Joseph P. Kazickas, Ph.D.D.H.L.
Henry C. Lee, Ph.D.D.H.L.
Roslyn Milstein Meyer, Ph.D.D.H.L.
Gualberto Ruaño, M.D., Ph.D.D.H.L.
May 14, 2006
The Honorable Robert J. CallahanD.H.L.
Lorraine D. CroninD.H.L.
Barry SvigalsD.H.L.
Sr. Thoma Swanson, O.P.D.H.L.
Tomoko Takahashi, AMC ’77D.H.L.
May 15, 2005
Gerald S. ClarkD.H.L.
Alison CunninghamD.H.L.
Evelyn Garrity AMC ’48D.H.L.
The Most Reverend Henry J. MansellD.H.L.
September 19, 2005
Robert F. BehanD.H.L.
May 16, 2004
Tony FalconeD.H.L.
Sr. Dolores Liptak, RSM, AMC ’53D.H.L.
The Honorable Flemming Norcott Jr.D.H.L.
The Reverend Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J.D.H.L.
May 19, 2003
Bishop Theodore L. BrooksD.H.L.
Frances T. “Bitsie” ClarkD.H.L.
Brother Rick Curry, S.J.D.H.L.
Louis F. Tagliatela Sr.D.H.L.
May 21, 2002
Sr. Mary Faith Geelan, O.P.D.H.L.
Sidney and Libby GlucksmanD.H.L.
Willie RuffD.H.L.
May 20, 2001
Gerald and Joanne AndersonD.H.L.
Sr. Mary Ellen Burns, A.S.C.J.D.H.L.
Rev. Bonita GrubbsD.H.L.
John M. LyonsD.H.L.
Robert J. Lyons Sr.D.H.L.
Margaret L. MacDonoughD.H.L.
May 21, 2000
Mel GoldsteinD.H.L.
Sister Mary Andrew Matesich, O.P.D.H.L.
Georges MayD.H.L.
Hugh B. PriceD.H.L.
Mitchell SviridoffD.H.L.
Agnes TimpsonD.H.L.
January 17, 1999
The Honorable JoAnne Kiely Kulawiz, AMC ’56D.H.L.
May 16, 1999
Harold Hongju KohD.H.L.
Elizabeth B. KublerD.H.L.
Edward J. LogueD.H.L.
Sr. MaryJane Paolella, ASCJD.H.L.
May 17, 1998
Roger AngellD.H.L.
Richard J. GrossiD.H.L.
Daniel and Nancy KopsD.H.L.
Barbara L. PearceD.H.L.
The Honorable Joseph LiebermanD.H.L.
June 22, 1997
Anne CalabresiD.H.L.
Timothy ShriverD.H.L.
Ernest BorgnineD.H.L.
Daniel CosgroveD.H.L.
April 14, 1996
Sister Margaret Ormond, O.P.D.H.L.
June 30, 1996
Reverend Theodore Hesburgh, CSCD.H.L.
Alice Golden, AMC’84D.H.L.
Harold RoblesD.H.L.
May 21, 2002
June 25, 1995
Michael PalmerD.H.L.
Ann DechantD.H.L.
The Honorable Charles GillD.H.L.
The Honorable Guido CalabresiLL.D
April 10, 1994
Susan Saint JamesD.H.L.
Fenmore R. Seton and Phyllis Z. SetonD.H.L.
Ella ScantleburyD.H.L.
Cesar PelliD.H.L.
December 11, 1994
Katrina ClarkD.H.L.
Frederick MancheskiD.H.L.
May 23, 1993
Arvin BrownD.H.L.
Sister Louise Anthony, S.C.D.H.L.
Thomas J. MeskillLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Walter H. Monteith Jr.D.H.L.
Verdell M. RobertsD.H.L.
May 17, 1992
Philip JohnsonD.H.L.
Sister Thomas Aquin Kelly, O.P.D.H.L.
Marion E. MorraD.H.L. D.S.D.H.L.
Cornell ScottD.H.L.
Vincent ScullyD.H.L.
May 17, 1991
May 21, 2002
Jack AfrickD.H.L.
Kevin RocheD.H.L.
Sister Miriam Therese Winter, M.M.S.D.H.L.
The Honorable Lowell P. Weicker Jr.LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 20, 1990
Sister Anne Virginie Grimes, S.C.D.H.L.
Sister Mary Ellen Lynch, O.P.D.H.L.
The Honorable Ellen Ash PetersD.H.L.
Lloyd RichardsD.H.L.
Calvin TrillinD.H.L.
Dr. Anne C. Wollack, AMC’35D.H.L.
May 21, 1989
Dr. James P. ComerD.H.L.
Sister Joan Delaney, M.M.D.H.L.
Louis HarrisD.H.L.
C. Newton Schenck, IIID.H.L.
Mary Hunter WolfD.H.L.
May 22, 1988
Eleanor EstesD.H.L.
Mary Brooks GriswoldD.H.L.
Jean M. HandleyD.H.L.
John HerseyD.H.L.
Herbert H. PearceD.H.L.
May 24, 1987
William F. Buckley Jr.D.H.L.
Elizabeth PattersonD.H.L.
May 18, 1986
Virgil C. DechantD.H.L.
James A. WalshD.H.L.
Dr. Luca E. CelantanoD.H.L.
Dr. Giacominia Hippolitus (Mrs. Jean)D.H.L.
Sister Francis Clare O’Malley, O.P.D.H.L.
Sister Wilfrida Walsh, O.P.D.H.L.
May 19, 1985
Mary BeneventoD.H.L.
Robert J. LeeneyD.H.L.
Eunice Kennedy ShriverD.H.L.
May 20, 1984
Anita Flannigan, AMC’37D.H.L.
Florence JacobsonD.H.L.
The Most Reverend Thomas C. KellyD.H.L.
Sister Melinda Rober, M.M.D.H.L.
January 13, 1983
Edward Cornelis Florentius AlfonsD.H.L.
Schillebeeckx, O.P.D.H.L.  D.H.L.
May 22, 1983
Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr.D.H.L. Ed.D.D.H.L.
May 23, 1982
Christopher H. BuckleyLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Charles M. GraceD.H.L.
The Honorable Richard C. LeeLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Mary Ellen Mininberg, AMC’49D.H.L.
Sister Camilla Mullay, O.P.D.H.L.
Philip PaolellaLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
The Honorable Lisa Aversa RichetteLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 17, 1981
Sister Maria Patricia Devaney, O.P.D.H.L.
Dr. M. Kathleen McGroryD.H.L.
Miss Eileen O’Neill, AMC’37D.H.L.
May 18, 1980
Phyllis CurtinD.H.L.
May 20, 1979
Margaret MealeyD.H.L.
May 21, 1978
Raymond E. BaldwinLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Maxine SchlingmanD.H.L.
Mrs. Chase Going WoodhouseLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 22, 1977
Dorothea RudnickD.H.L. D.S.D.H.L.
Mary A. Wrenn, AMC’46LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 23, 1976
Bianca Contini CalabresiD.H.L.
Dean Isabel CharlesD.H.L.
Mrs. Emilie N. HansenD.H.L.
The Honorable Constance Baker MotleyLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 19, 1975
Bishop John F. DonnellyD.H.L.
Mary Etta KnappD.H.L.
The Honorable Gloria SchafferD.H.L. D.P.A.D.H.L.
Richard B. SewallD.H.L.
June 2, 1974
The Honorable Ellen Bree Burns, AMC’44LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Francis H. HornD.H.L.
Sister Arline Schmeer, O.P.D.H.L. D.S.D.H.L.
Archbishop John F. WhealonLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
January 5, 1973
His Majesty, Palden Thondup NamgyalLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
12th Consecrated Chogyal of SikkimD.H.L.  D.H.L.
Hope Cooke Namgyla, Gyalmo of SikkimLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
June 3, 1973
Mary Daly Bain, AMC’34D.S. D.S.D.H.L.
Rev. Vincent Cyril Dore, O.P.LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Sister Mary Charles GallagherLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Ruth Alice HassLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Jane Dargan HumphriesLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Sister Irmina Longstreth, O.P.LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Jaroslav Jan PelikanD.H.L.
June 11, 1972
Josephine P. BreeD.H.L.
Ruth C. GillespieD.H.L.
Margaret O’Shaughnessy Heckler, AMC’53LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
Sister Marie Louise Hubert, O.P.LL.D LL.DD.H.L.
John F. RobinsonLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
William SandersLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
May 2, 1971
John M. GoldenD.H.L.
Edward Bennett WilliamsLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
June 3, 1965
Aldo P. DeDominicisD.H.L.
Patrick J. GoodeD.H.L.
Sister Madonna Murphy, AMC’37, C.S.C.D.H.L.
October 8, 1950
Esther Budd, AMC’28D.H.L. D.N.D.H.L.
Christopher WyattD.H.L.
June 11, 1936
Margaret L. KeefeLL.D LL.DD.H.L.
D.H.L. DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS
LL.D DOCTOR OF LAWS
Ed.D. DOCTOR OF EDUCATION
D.S.D.H.L. DOCTOR OF SCIENCE
D.N. DOCTOR OF NURSING
D.P.A. DOCTOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION