Honorary Degrees
- 5/11/2024: Aileen Meyer, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/11/2024: Dan Phillips, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/13/2023: Jorge Matias, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/14/2022: Betty Kwan Chinn, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/15/2021: Walter James Lara, Sr., Doctor of Humane Letters
- 10/11/2016: George N. Blake, Doctor of Humane Letters - View ceremony View gallery event
- 5/17/2014: Herrmann Spetzler, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/12/2012: Robert N. Klein, Doctor of Laws
- 5/17/2008: Cheryl Seidner, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/17/2008: Michael Fielding, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/18/2002: Gwynna M. Morris, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/16/1998: Monica P. Hadley, Doctor of Humane Letters
- 5/20/1995: Fred. B. Galbreath, Doctor of Science
- 5/21/1994: Louis W. Schatz, Doctor of Science
- 6/15/1985: Homer P. Balabanis, Doctor of Fine Arts
- 6/4/1965: Monroe E. Spaght, Doctor of Laws
President's Distinguished Service Award Recipients
The Distinguished Service Award is granted for specific and meritorious service to the University and/or the community.
| Year | Name | Title | More Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Keith Flamer | President, College of the Redwoods | In acknowledgement of his role in helping create degree pathway programs for students to attend Cal Poly Humboldt and other four-year universities |
| 2023 | Robin Smith | Board Chair, Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation | For leadership on the Boldly Rising Campaign, and for creating endowments that provide scholarships to Nursing students, and support to Club Sports and Recreational Sports facilities |
| 2023 | Connie Stewart | Executive Director of Initiatives | For her long and distinguished commitment to the campus and local community, including a bequest commitment to the University |
| 2022 | Eileen Cashman | Professor & Chair, School of Engineering | In recognition of her instrumental role in helping the University plan and launch 27 new polytechnic programs |
| 2022 | Nichole Muñoz-Murillo | Deputy Legislative Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom | For supporting Cal Poly Humboldt at the state level, and advocating for the creation of the RN to BSN Nursing program, and the state’s $458 million investment in the polytechnic transition |
| 2022 | Jason Ramos | Tribal Councilmember, Blue Lake Rancheria | For his Jason M. Ramos Endowment for Kinesiology Research, and stewardship of the Blue Lake Rancheria Fellowship for Clean Energy Studies at the Schatz Energy Research Center |
| 2022 | Gary Rynearson | Forestry Instructor and Second-Generation Forester | For bringing decades of experience into the classroom, and directly impacting the development of an entire generation of forestry graduates |
| 2021 | Loren Blanchard | Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, CSU | For helping Humboldt State University address our diversity goals and supporting HSU's potential of becoming a polytechnic university. |
| 2021 | Christina Koczera | Emergency Coordinator and Director of Risk Management & Safety Services | For guiding Humboldt State University through the COVID-19 pandemic and building strong relations with the community and public health. |
| 2014 | Provost Robert A. Snyder | For outstanding leadership and commitment to high standards in education since 1987. Presented upon his retirement. | |
| 2013 | President Emeritus Alistair McCrone | For nearly 40 years of service and support to Humboldt State University and the community as President and President Emeritus | |
| 2013 | Dr. Robert Gearheart | Professor Emeritus, Environmental Resources Engineering | In recognition of his tireless contributions to HSU and its students, the community and the world. Dr. Gearheart has enriched the quality of water for peoples around the world. |
| 2010 | Dr. Steven Butler | ||
| 2004 | Dr. Reese Halter | In recognition of inimitable leadership in redwood canopy biological research | |
| 2002 | Judith Saari McCrone | For her very effective service to Humboldt State University as First Lady from 1974-2002 and for her services to the Humboldt and Del Norte county communities through her many acts of generosity and kindness | |
| 2001 | Ken Stodder | For nearly 40 years of continuing acts of assistance and support, and particularly for his positive efforts in communicating to the public the essence of athletic events and programs both on campus and in the Humboldt County community | |
| 2001 | Gwynna Morris | For her very effective service to Humboldt State University as a member of the University Advisory Board 1993-2001 and for her service to the California State University as a representative of the students, staff and faculty of Humboldt State University as a member of the CSU Alumni Council since 1993 and as President of the CSU Alumni Council from 1997 to 1999 | |
| 1999 | Cedric Kinzer | For all his frequent and continuing acts of assistance and support toward promoting the health, well being and success of student athletes and others both on campus and in the community | |
| 1999 | Leslie Douglas, D. V. M. | In recognition of services to University instructional and research programs. For all his frequent and continuing acts of assistance and support regarding care and appropriate use of university animals in our instructional and research programs, for his inimitable leadership and service to the University as a member and chair of the Humboldt State University Foundation, and for his manifold services to the civic community of with the University is a part | |
| 1997 | Don H. Clausen | Services to University and community as a U.S. Congressman | |
| 1996 | C. Leland Barlow, D.M.A. | For all his continuing acts of assistance and support, and particularly for his positive efforts toward promoting choral music performance and student scholarships | |
| 1995 | Sam B. Merryman, Jr. | For all his manifold acts of assistance and support, and particularly for his positive efforts toward advancing the success of Humboldt State University | |
| 1995 | Raymond A. Koch, M.D. | In recognition of medical services to HSU athletics. For all his continuing acts of assistance and support, and particularly for his positive efforts toward promoting the health and success of our student athletes | |
| 1991 | John C. Hennessy | Professor of History emeritus | Senior Administrator Emeritus |
| 1990 | Dick Enberg | Hadley Distinguished Lecturer; NBC Sports Commentator | |
| 1988 | Marianne Pinches | Member, Humboldt Symphony since 1934 | |
| 1987 | Jack F. Daly, Jr. | Past Chair, HSU Advisory Board; past chair California State Automobile Association | For all his diverse civic efforts, which are too numerous to cite here, but particularly for his successful efforts toward bringing the University and the local community into a closer and mutually supportive communion |
| 1985 | George H. Allen | Establishment of Oceanography program; developed graduate program in Fisheries and Arcata Marsh Project. In respect and tribute for his manifold academic and personal qualities, and services which have contributed so much to the quality of life in our society and which have further ennobled our University | |
| 1985 | Dolores Vellutini | Chair, HSU Advisory Board; Humboldt Area Foundation | |
| 1979 | Roy T. Brophy | Chairman, CSU Board of Trustees | |
| 1979 | Gordon T. Hadley | Chairman, HSU Advisory Board | |
| 1977 | Charles Fulkerson | Professor of Music emeritus | HSU orchestra conductor |
| 1976 | Louise Watson | Professor of Health and Physical Education | Upon her retirement |
| 1976 | Homer Balabanis | Vice President for Academic Affairs emeritus | |
| 1975 | Fred J. Moore, Jr. | County Clerk of Humboldt County | In appreciation for his many acts of friendship and assistance to the University |
| 1973 | Olga Marie Siemens | President's wife | In appreciation on occasion of the 20th anniversary of CHS service to HSU |
| 1969 | Division Chairmen | In appreciation of service when the University reorganized from Divisions to Schools | |
| 1968 | Frank P. Belotti | Assemblyman, Second District | |
| 1967 | Susie Baker Fountain | First HSU graduate | Awarded upon her gift to the University of the Susie Baker Fountain Papers |