Getting an Honorary Doctorate

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by China manager, Jul 14, 2006.

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  1. China manager

    China manager New Member

    My boss is an entrepreneur in China and ready to contribute to American University for above.

    Please advise where (California maybe) that he can do it.

    Thanks.

    Philip Li
     
  2. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    How much money? Has he written any books or contributed something to society? If it is a sizable contribution, I would recommend contacting the development office of small private universities. I don't know that I would start with California though.

    Dave
     
  3. China manager

    China manager New Member

    Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    Thanks Dave,

    I think that can start from USD$10,000? He has not written any book but he did some service to the community including helping out some of the poor village students to go to school.

    Where can I find the list of private Universities that you mention?

    A few years ago I read a message from Berkeley University stating they welcome donation (not UC Berkeley though they are from California)

    Thanks.

    Philip Li
     
  4. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    Philip,

    That's not enough money to develop a long term relationship with a private institution of higher learning in the States. The donor would also have be known for some prominent or scholarly contribution, or gain notoriety for service, etc. For example, a friend once worked in a foundation at a university established by such an individual; this individual had oil money and knew lots of folks in the oil business, and was able to attract tens of millions of dollars to build buildings and sponsor symposia on the free enterprise system, truth, justice and the American way, etc. In the process of all that, somebody in the school administration realized that Mr. Donor should be Dr. Donor and conferred the Doctor of Laws. After that, my friend and everybody else felt obligated to address him as Dr. Donor. The point of all that detail is that Mr. Donor really did do something very noteworthy and valuable to advance the school, so that achievement was recognized by conferring an honorary doctorate. The honorary doctorate is not rooted in scholarship or wealth but in legitimate social power exercised over something connected, even tangentially, to the interests of the institution.

    Hope it helps.

    Dave
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 14, 2006
  5. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    $10,000 would barely get you skybox season tickets to UF football.

    That sounds suspicious.
     
  6. Bill Huffman

    Bill Huffman Well-Known Member

    Your boss sounds like a prime candidate to be defrauded. He's looking for something that will probably only be available from academic frauds and there is a large number out there looking to hook up with your boss.

    For example, KWU is a well known diploma mill that has/had an agent in Singapore making lots of money selling honorary doctorates to local businessmen. I think any school that will do this deal is probably a diploma mill. I suspect that the Berkeley that you're talking about was probably Berkley University, which is a known diploma mill.

    Good luck!
     
  7. China manager

    China manager New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    Indeed Dave,

    What we do in China is slightly different with money equals to contribution. However since everybody knows that the status is not high. Also the money involved is more.

    Thanks very much for your kind help.

    I suppose some private U like the Berklery U I mentioned still exist? I trust the California education system allows many small U to operate and in order to survive they use different means to raise fund.

    I would try to find some of these.

    By the way can my boss need to put on his Honorary Doctorate title on or he can use Doctor without 'Honorary'?


    Philip Li
     
  8. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    I'm probably not a good person to ask about this, but I'll give you my opinion. My reluctance to participate in this thread is that the intent seems to be to use the honorary doctorate to inflate the credentials of the individual.

    If I were awarded an honorary doctorate, I would probably list it behind my name with the qualifier (Hon.) or (Honorary). For example, if it were the LL.D. designation, I would list it as LL.D. (Hon.). However, I would make prudent use of the honorary doctorate, as it is sort of like a trophy (i.e., signifies recognition of service or achievement). In contradistinction, the earned doctorate is like a scalpel (i.e., indicates high level of skill).

    In general, I wouldn't use the title of doctor before my name outside the classroom, as I don't need the title to remind me that I'm a doctor; I only need the title to encourage those who are listening to me to take my advice and use it to their own benefit.

    Dave
     
  9. morleyl

    morleyl New Member

    You can get one from Universal Life Church online for less than $100.00. Many other church does offer the same.

    To be honest, in the true sense you don't nominate yourself for honorary degrees actually.
     
  10. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Agree with Dave

    Likewise. There's nothing legitimate about this person's interest in buying an honorary degree, especially since he doesn't want to tell people it's not earned.

    -=Steve=-
     
  11. Robbie

    Robbie New Member

    He should just print him one. He can honor himself from Self University. This guy has to be joking to see what you guys will say.
     
  12. davidhume

    davidhume New Member

    Re: Re: Re: Getting an Honorary Doctorate

    This sort of request is common in the Asian region, especially among business people and politicans. Most unaccredited schools will easily accommadate this gentleman within his budget
     
  13. Muji

    Muji New Member

    Does your boss do any contribution to the society? Universities usually honor such people.
     

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