Southeast Missouri State University is accepting nominations until Oct. 15 for recipients of honorary doctoral and professional degrees to be presented at spring commencement exercises next May.

The university began awarding honorary degrees for the first time at spring commencement last May. The late Rush Limbaugh Sr. posthumously received the university's first honorary doctoral degree.

Dr. John Hinni, chair of the honorary degree committee, said these degrees should be awarded in honor of distinguished achievement, accomplishment or service that is recognized both by peers in the field and by a broader spectrum of society.

Individuals may be recognized for contributions in such fields as teaching, scholarship, creative endeavor, public service, philanthropy, the professions, and business and industry. Those not eligible are: any active members of the faculty and staff, currently students, active candidates for public office, and members of the Board of Regents.

Nominations should include detailed information about the nominee sufficient to demonstrate the nominee's qualifications for an honorary degree and type of degree for which the individual is being nominated.

Nominations should be sent to:

John Hinni, 210 Memorial Hall, (Mail Stop 4300), Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.