Dr. Taylor Swift

[debrag]

I don't get honorary degrees

[bjcheung77]

I don't get honorary degrees

Me neither, all I know is people either get them by doing one of two things. There may be other options too...
1) Pay for it by huge amounts of donations to an institution
2) Contribute to society in some vertical, such as Music

In Taylor Swift's case, I think it's her contribution to "music" and how she has tried to bring a positive spin on it. Something along those lines or sometime along those lines, she's tried to help others by providing "new talents" advice and support.

[Alpha]

I think that the people who are given these honorary doctoral degrees are also expected to participate in future fundraising efforts.  "Come to the gala and meet Taylor Swift . . . etc."

[Johann]

I think that the people who are given these honorary doctoral degrees are also expected to participate in future fundraising efforts.  "Come to the gala and meet Taylor Swift . . . etc."

Any evidence? 

I think many of the recipients, stars, politicos etc. can (and do) command huge fees for public appearances, speaking etc. I don't think they're going to give freebies in exchange for a piece of paper - nor should they be expected to.This is recognition - and a one-time prestige-booster for the school that grants the honorary degree. I think real recognition should be a one-way gift, not a quid pro quo.

As an example, years ago, Bill Clinton received one of his 20 honorary degrees from a Canadian University - McGill in Montreal.. A speaking engagement  by Mr. Clinton costs a LOT of money. I doubt he's bound himself to showing up at fundraisers for free, at any or all of these 20 institutions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aw...ll_Clinton

[Johann]

I don't get honorary degrees

Neither do I - never been offered a single one. Guess we're not popular enough. 

[Alpha]

I think that the people who are given these honorary doctoral degrees are also expected to participate in future fundraising efforts.  "Come to the gala and meet Taylor Swift . . . etc."

Any evidence? 

No, I don't have any evidence.  Maybe I'm just being cynical.

[ifomonay]

Wow, I guess she is now qualified to be on dissertation committees? A doctorate is required to be in one, and now I guess she has that qualification.

[ss20ts]

Wow, I guess she is now qualified to be on dissertation committees? A doctorate is required to be in one, and now I guess she has that qualification.

Nope. That's not at all how honorary doctorates work. She's not qualified to sit on the dissertation committee. She's also not a faculty member.

[Kab]

An academic degree is different to the honorary one.
Imagine you are at a work reunion and you say: this guy over there is like a soon to me. Well, he is not your real soon and does not have the rights and obligations of a real soon. Everybody will know you like him and recognize him, but still is a different status.
Also honorary degrees in many countries does not allow to use the academic title and have to specify that rhey are honorary if used.

Wow, I guess she is now qualified to be on dissertation committees? A doctorate is required to be in one, and now I guess she has that qualification.

[bluebooger]

she's probably more qualified than most people