Honorary Degree Recipients

The University of Pennsylvania has awarded honorary degrees since the first graduating class in 1757. The information on Penn's honorary degree recipients can be found below.

HDRs 2023
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2022 Penn Commencement group of honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2022 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn Interim President Wendell Pritchett.
2021 Penn Commencement honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2021 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2020 Penn Commencement honorary degree recipients headshots
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2020 Honorary Degree Recipients.
2019 Penn Commencement honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2019 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2018 Penn, Amy Gutmann and honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2018 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2017 Penn, Amy Gutmann and honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2017 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2016 Penn, Amy Gutmann and honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2016 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2015 Penn, Amy Gutmann and honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2015 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2014 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2014 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2013 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2013 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2012 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2012 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2011 honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2011 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2010 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2010 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2009 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2009 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2008 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2008 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
Amy Gutmann and 2007 Penn honorary degree recipients in regalia
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2007 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Dr. Amy Gutmann.
2004 Penn president and honorary degree recipients
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2004 Honorary Degree Recipients with Penn President Judith Rodin

Abbreviations of Degrees

Penn Honorary Degrees

Art.D. - Doctor of Arts

L.H.D. - Doctor of Humane Letters

LL.D. - Doctor of Laws

Litt.D. - Doctor of Letters

Mus.D. - Doctor of Music

Scs.D. - Doctor of Sciences

The following are no longer offered as an Honorary Degree.

A.B. - Bachelor of Arts

A.M. - Master of Arts

B.S. - Bachelor of Science

Ch.D. - Doctor of Chemistry

D.C.L. - Doctor of Civil Law

D.D. - Doctor of Divinity

D.D.S. - Doctor of Dental Surgery

D.F.A. - Doctor of Fine Arts

D.P.A. - Doctor of Public Administration

D.P.H. - Doctor of Public Hygiene

D.S.W. - Doctor of Social Work

M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration

M.D. - Doctor of Medicine

M.F.A. - Master of Fine Arts

M.L. - Master of Laws

M.Litt. - Master of Letters

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy

Ph.N.D. - Doctor of Natural Philosophy

Sc.D. - Doctor of Science

Sc.D. in Econ. - Doctor of Science in Economics

Sc.M. - Master of Science

S.T.D. - Doctor of Sacred Theology

V.M.D. - Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Ceremonies and Related Info

 

Medha Narvekar wearing regalia carrying the mace at commencement

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