MU will give honorary degrees to actor Robert Loggia and author William Trogdon at the commencement ceremonies this month.

A 1951 graduate of the School of Journalism, Loggia has since appeared in more than 100 movies throughout his career, being named “one of the most respected and admired actors of our generation.” He has been nominated for numerous Emmy Awards and an Academy Award for his performance in “Jagged Edge.” He has also appeared in “Independence Day,” “Scarface,” “Gladiator,” “The Sopranos” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

“Robert Loggia’s career as a major supporting actor in American film and television is second to none,” Department of Theatre Chairman Clyde Ruffin said in a news release. “He is truly one of the most distinguished University of Missouri alumni.”

Known as William Least Heat-Moon in the literary world, Trogdon holds four separate degrees from MU, three in English and one in photojournalism. During his time at MU, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was later a professor.

He penned “Blue Highways” in 1982, a book that chronicles a cross-country trip in Trogdon’s van. The book sat atop the New York Times best-seller list for 34 weeks.

Best recognized for his travel novels, Trogdon also delves a bit into historical writing. He has written books about Christopher Columbus’ journeys and the like.

“William Trogdon has deep ties to the University of Missouri,” English professor Pat Okker said in a news release. “His attention to the oft-neglected parts of American culture captured the nation’s readers.”

In a previous Maneater story, Honorary Degrees Committee chairman Bill Lamberson said the selection of choosing recipients of the honorary degrees usually takes several years. Candidates are initially presented to the committee, then to the Faculty Council and are ultimately approved by the UM System Board of Curators and then Chancellor Brady Deaton.

Guidelines for nominations include a connection to either MU or the state, and a high degree of distinction.

“If it’s a person that has really close ties to the community, you have to be outstanding in some way,” Lamberson said. “The more distinct the ties, the more outstanding the individual has to be.”

Nominations are open for subsequent commencement ceremonies. To nominate a candidate, a letter outlining the nominee’s distinctions and ties to the university or state should be submitted to the Honorary Degrees Committee.

“We have names that are already approved that you would recognize, but we don’t announce those until they agree to come receive the degree,” Lamberson said.

Loggia and Trogdon are speaking at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Honors Commencement Ceremony in Jesse Auditorium.