An honorary degree (Latin: honoris causa ad gradum), not to be confused with an honours degree, is an academic degree awarded to an individual as a decoration, rather than as the result of matriculating and studying for several years. An honorary degree may be conferred by an institution that the recipient never attended. The degree itself may be a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree — the last being by far the most common. Usually the degree is conferred with great pomp and ceremony as a way of honoring a famous or distinguished visitor's valuable contribution to society. The university derives benefits by association with the person's status and so enhances its networking and publicity.

2001

Monday, December 17, 2001
Sheryl Crow awarded honorary doctorate

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Associated Press) -- Before she won her first Grammy award, she was Ms. Crow, music teacher. Now, she's Dr. Sheryl Crow -- in spirit, at least. The singer-songwriter received an honorary doctoral degree Saturday during commencement exercises at Southeast Missouri State University. Crow, who taught music to autistic children in suburban St. Louis before leaving for Los Angeles in 1986 to pursue a music career, told her 513 fellow degree recipients to follow their dreams.

"I know your sacrifices," Crow said. "And I have no words of wisdom. But I'm reminded of what Yogi Berra used to say when he found a fork in the road. Take it!"

Ms. Crow has supported the Nobel Peace Prize winning Campaign for a Landmine-Free World, and with another musician spent 11 days touring Vietnamese and Cambodian rehabilitation clinics to raise money to curb the effects of land mines in Third World countries and provide rehabilitation services and artificial limbs for victims of these weapons. She has also worked in support of the Scleroderma Foundation, City of Hope, the St. Jude Children's Foundation, and the Special Olympics.

Crow, 39, a seven-time Grammy winner, grew up in the Missouri Bootheel town of Kennett. She's the fourth person given an honorary doctorate by the university.