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 2024
Debra Farar
California State University (CSU) Trustee Emerita Debra Farar '75, M.A. '87 is an inspirational leader and mentor who has devoted her career to transforming lives through service and an unwavering commitment to social justice and quality education for California students.
A first-generation college graduate and distinguished alumna, Trustee Emerita Farar earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSUN and her doctoral degree in education from Pepperdine University. She served as an elementary school teacher and as senior education policy advisor for then-Lieutenant Governor Gray Davis. Appointed by Governor Davis to the CSU Board of Trustees in 1999, Trustee Emerita Farar went on to become the longest-serving trustee in recent CSU history, serving as chair of the CSU Board for two years.
Robert Taylor
Robert Taylor '82 is an accomplished engineer, lawyer, financial services leader and community builder who utilizes his skills and resources to create opportunities and open doors for others.
Taylor earned his undergraduate degree in engineering at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) while participating in the Minority Engineering Program, where he credits faculty mentors and the MEP community for helping him to not simply excel in his studies but also to begin developing the insight and skills essential to achieving his highest aspirations. Following CSUN he earned his MBA and law degree at Stanford University, then launched his career at McKinsey & Company, one of the world’s most-recognized management consulting firms.
Andrew Anagnost
Dr. Andrew Anagnost, '87, a global innovator and thought leader in technology solutions, is a champion of diversity in STEM education and for creating opportunities for students to discover and achieve their highest aspirations.
Dr. Anagnost earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and both his master’s in engineering science and his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering and Computer Science from Stanford University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at NASA Ames Research Center. His career spans more than 25 years of product, business, and marketing experience focused on driving strategy, transformation and product development and includes positions at Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Company and EXA Corporation before joining Autodesk in 1997. Dr. Anagnost was named as Autodesk’s president and CEO in 2017 and serves as a member of the Autodesk Board of Directors.
David Nazarian
David Nazarian '82, a successful business leader and entrepreneur, is passionate about education as the key to the American dream, his own included.
After immigrating from Iran in 1979, Nazarian became the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and his MBA from the University of Southern California.
A visionary and prolific investor in numerous fields, including the early telecommunications and renewable energy industries, aerospace, real estate and hospitality, Nazarian currently serves as chief executive officer and founder of Nimes Capital.
2023 Honorary Degree Recipients
Rudy Ortega Jr.
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2023
Charles Yu
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 21, 2023
Milt Valera
Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
CSUN news release
Date Awarded: May 22, 2023
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