Monmouth College offers honorary degrees for worthy high school teachers

By: Chris Fort
Contributing Writer

When President Ditzler arrived at Monmouth College last year, he brought with him an abundance of new and exciting ideas on how to expand the Monmouth tradition. Among them was the idea to implement an honorary degree, given annually to a pre-college teacher who helped current students get to be where they are today.

A new tradition which began last year, students who plan to graduate in the spring submit letters of recommendation to the commencement committee in order to honor exceptional mentors from their old high schools.

“It’s a tremendous way for Monmouth College to honor exemplary faculty members who prepared students for their time at Monmouth,” said Dalene White, a dedicated member of the commencement committee.

At graduation, the student who submitted the chosen nomination introduces their former teacher before they are presented with a doctor of human letters by the college.

“It’s important to recognize those individuals who get you to be successful before college,” said White. “It’s a way of saying ‘thank you’.”

Graduating seniors who would like to nominate a teacher are asked to submit the following information:

Teacher’s Name

School Name and Location

Grade/Subject Teacher Taught

1-2 page nomination letter describing the nominee’s impact on your educational experience prior to attending Monmouth College.

Nominations can be submitted electronically to Dalene White at dswhite@monm.edu or delivered to the President’s Office. The deadline for nominations is March 2.