The awarding of an honorary doctoral degree is a prestigious and highly public action that serves to bring visibility and distinction to both the recipient and the granting institution, Ave Maria School of Law. This honor is considered one of the highest accolades that the school can bestow, and as such, it is reserved for individuals who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments that align with the school’s mission. By conferring this distinction, Ave Maria School of Law aims to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields, embodying the values and principles advocated by the school’s Catholic foundation.

Ave Maria School of Law’s mission is rooted in its commitment to providing a distinctive legal education that harmonizes faith and reason, as inspired by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio. Our school strives to educate lawyers who possess not only exceptional professional skills but also a deep understanding of the Catholic faith. With a focus on the teachings of the Church, Sacred Tradition, and Sacred Scripture, Ave Maria School of Law upholds the principles of Catholic legal education that safeguard the dignity of the human person and promote the common good. The school recognizes the importance of the natural law, written on the heart of every individual, as the secure foundation for human freedom and advocates for the rediscovery of moral truths that protect and enhance human liberty.