March 25, 2019 – Chico State to Award Two Honorary Doctorate Degrees
To: Campus Colleagues
From: President Gayle E. Hutchinson
I’m thrilled to announce that California State University, Chico and the CSU Board of Trustees will award honorary doctorates to two remarkable individuals at this spring’s Commencement ceremonies.
University partner and business leader Debra A. Cannon will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) degree on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The degree will be conferred in recognition of Ms. Cannon’s extraordinary commitment to CSU, Chico and her ongoing philanthropic and business efforts that have so greatly benefited our community.
Alumnus and natural scientist Sterling O. Mattoon will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) degree on Saturday, May 18, 2019. The degree will be conferred in recognition of Mr. Mattoon’s extraordinary curiosity, dedication, and scientific research that have contributed so significantly to the greater knowledge of butterflies and moths within California and beyond.
Ms. Cannon and Mr. Mattoon join an elite list of just over 500 honorary degree(opens in new window) recipients across the CSU, as the system recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence in areas that benefit CSU campuses, the state, nation, world, or humanity. Ms. Cannon is Chico State’s 20th honorary degree recipient and Mr. Mattoon is the 21st honorary degree recipient in our 132-year history.
To learn more about these two phenomenal individuals, please see the stories on Ms. Cannon(opens in new window) and Mr. Mattoon(opens in new window) on Chico State Today.
Please join me in celebrating the many accomplishments of Ms. Cannon and Mr. Mattoon and the inspiration they are for our students, faculty, and staff. Together, we will transform tomorrow!