Distinguished Honorees

bryan stevenson at podium commencement 2019 speaker

For more than four decades, RISD has recognized selected leaders in contemporary culture with honorary degrees. Presented each year at Commencement, honorary doctor of fine arts degrees celebrate the work of innovative individuals who have made significant social and cultural contributions to society. Honorary degree candidates are selected not only for advancing their fields but for embodying RISD’s values and furthering its mission.

Nomination process

Each spring RISD’s Honorary Degree Committee—appointed by the president and comprised of students, faculty, staff and trustees—solicits, reviews and recommends nominees to the Board of Trustees for the following year’s Commencement ceremony. Once the Board reviews and approves the committee’s nominations, the president selects and extends an invitation to each candidate, who is asked to accept the award in person at Commencement.

Every member of the RISD community is encouraged to submit nominations at any point in the year, with the understanding that the committee reviews nominations a full academic year in advance of when these degrees are awarded.

Honorary degree policy

Honorary degree recipients, 1990–present

President’s Medal of Honor

The President’s Medal of Honor recognizes individuals and organizations who have enhanced RISD through civic engagement, advocacy, philanthropy and other exceptional contributions to the institution. Established in 2019, it commemorates deeds outside the areas of artistic or academic achievement that make an enduring and transformative impact on the college, museum and RISD community.

Honorees

Selected honorary degree recipients

Rose B. Simpson, 2025 honorary degree recipient.
playwright Lynn Nottage
Virgil Abloh sitting on an outdoor park bench
Annie Liebovitz 2018
Hilton Als 2016
John Waters 2015
Todd Oldham 2014
Maira Kalman 2013
Yo-Yo Ma playing the cello
Seth MacFarlane
Kara Walker
Eva Zeisel
Deborah Berke (RISD BArch 77)
Jenny Holzer
Lina Wertmuller | 1996

Read about past honorees

musician David Byrne holds up a sign that says Don't Worry
Celebrating RISD’s Class of 2021

An in-person and online Commencement ceremony features student leaders from the classes of 2020 and 2021 and an eclectic array of honorary degree recipients.

Get to know RISD

a group of graduating seniors celebrate in a full audience
Commencement

Find out more about our annual celebratory salute to RISD’s newest art and design standouts.

risd_graduating_class_of_1902_black_and_white_historical_photo
History and tradition

Look back at how RISD’s commitment to art and design education has evolved since our 1877 founding.

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Mission and values

Learn what drives all we do—as an institution and an engaged creative community.