California State University, Northridge has conferred honorary doctorates to the following individuals in recognition of their exceptional professional achievements and meaningful contributions to society.
All honorary degrees awarded by California State University, Northridge are conferred by the Board of Trustees of the California State University, in the name of Cal State Northridge and the California State University. The university will accept nominations for honorary degrees throughout the year. However, in order to be considered for the spring conferral, please submit your nomination by the Friday of the second week of October prior to Commencement.
If you would like to nominate a person who has "demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit CSU campuses, the state, nation, and/or world", please submit the Honorary Degree Nomination form or email honorarydegree@csun.edu.
A complete list of honorary degrees awarded by California State University and detailed information pertaining to the conferral policy is available on the CSU Website.
Honorary Degree Recipients 2023
Rudy Ortega Jr.
Ortega is the elected leader of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI) and his ancestors come from the villages that originated in the geographical areas of Santa Clarita, Simi and San Fernando Valleys.
Charles Yu
Yu is an acclaimed television screenwriter and award-winning author of four books, including “Interior Chinatown,” which explores the stereotypes of Asian Americans in Hollywood and in American culture more broadly.
Milt Valera
Valera revolutionized the profession by introducing comprehensive educational initiatives, creating special publications and authoring rules of ethical and professional conduct that serve as the foundation for notary best practices in the U.S. today.
2022 Honorary Degree Recipients
Irene F. Tovar
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 23, 2022
Paul S. Jennings
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2022
2019 Honorary Degree Recipient
Susan Burton
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 20, 2019
2018 Honorary Degree Recipients
Younes Nazarian
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters degree
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 19, 2018
Judy Baca
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts degree
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 18, 2018
2017 Honorary Degree Recipients
William C. Griffeth
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 19, 2017
Michael Watanabe
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2017
2016 Honorary Degree Recipients
Harvey Bookstein
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2016
Rev. James Lawson
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 23, 2016
2015 Honorary Degree Recipients
Robert Townsend
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 17, 2015
Zev Yaroslavsky
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 17, 2015
Past Honorary Degree Recipients
William C. "Bill" Allen
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 22, 2014
Asad M. Madni
Degree: Doctor of Science
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2013
Vincent P. Barabba
Degree: Doctor of Law
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 24, 2012
James Berk
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 24, 2011
Michelle DeYoung
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 18, 2010
Mike Curb
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 18, 2009
David Fleming
Degree: Doctor of Law
Date Awarded: May 20, 2009
Charles H. Noski
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: June 1, 2007
Michael D. Eisner
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: June 3, 2005
Philip S. Magaram
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 28, 2003
Albert J. McNeil
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: May 28, 2003
Alan Armer
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 31, 2002
Dolores C. Huerta
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 29, 2002
Peter Hemmings
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: June 1, 2000
James David Power III
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: June 3, 1999
August Wilson
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: June 2, 1999
Harold M. Williams
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 28, 1998
Abraham Polonsky
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 27, 1998
Carol Vaness
Degree: Doctor of Fine Arts
Date Awarded: April 4, 1998
Ann Lieberman
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: May 30, 1997
Scott Horowitz
Degree: Doctor of Science
Date Awarded: May 29, 1997
Andres Segovia
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Date Awarded: February 18, 1983
Margaret Chase Smith
Degree: Doctor of Laws
Date Awarded: May 31, 1974