On Thursday, May 4, 2023 the University of Utah (the U) bestowed honorary doctorate degrees to four individuals: Frances Battle, Bill Higuchi, Camilla Smith and Richard (Dick) Marriott. Richard is the son of the late John William (Bill) Marriott Sr., whom the library was named for in 1969.

Dick began his career in the hospitality industry working as a teenager in his parents’ Hot Shoppes restaurants. He officially joined the Marriott company as a manager in 1965 after graduating from Harvard Business School. A U alum (B.S. ’63, finance), Marriott has been actively engaged with charitable and nonprofit organizations. He has served as chair of both the Polynesian Cultural Center and Bridges from School to Work, as well as on the boards of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the National Ability Center and as a member of the National Advisory Council of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School. Under his leadership, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation has been involved with mental health initiatives through the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute and continues to support fine arts, business and the Marriott Library. Dick is married to Nancy Peery Marriott, also a graduate of the U (B.S. ’63, elementary education).

The U awards honorary doctorates to individuals who have achieved distinction in academic pursuits, the arts, professions, business, government, and civic affairs or in service to the U.