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Board approves honorary degrees and distinguished‑service recognitions for 2026 commencement
Summary
Trustees approved a slate of honorary degrees and distinguished service awards for SIU Carbondale 2026 commencement, including James J. Miller, Michael 'Mike' Glenn, the late Dr. Cheryl Green, Judge J. Phil Gilbert, and Dr. Kathleen Perakat Spector.
Chancellor Lane presented nominees for honorary degrees and distinguished‑service awards for the Carbondale campus’ 2026 commencement and the board approved the slate during the Dec. 4 meeting.
Nominees presented by the chancellor included James J. Miller for an honorary Doctor of Science (recognized for leadership in aviation and navigation policy), Michael "Mike" Glenn for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (alumnus, former NBA player, broadcaster and educator), Doctor Cheryl Green for a distinguished‑service award (posthumous recognition for more than 30 years in higher education leadership), Judge J. Phil Gilbert for an honorary Doctor of Law (longtime SIU Board of Trustees chair and federal judge), and Doctor Kathleen Perakat Spector for a distinguished‑service award (retired SIU Carbondale mathematics professor with decades of outreach and volunteerism).
Trustees discussed and commended the honorees; the committee approved items 5 through 9 and the full board subsequently included the items in the omnibus motion and approved them by roll call vote for a 2026 commencement conferral.
