On 18 September 2013, Dr. Douglas D. Baker, President of Northern Illinois University, presented an honorary doctoral degree in Humane Letters to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in recognition of her work in promoting education and Thai culture as well as her accomplishments in humanitarian efforts.

The NIU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to confer the degree on Her Royal Highness in honor of her work in higher education in Thailand and her extensive humanitarian efforts.  NIU awards honorary degrees to recognize outstanding individuals who excel in their disciplines and whose accomplishments have benefited society.

The ceremony took place in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium at NIU and was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Culture, the Thai Ambassador to the United States, and the Thai Consul-General to Chicago, as well as distinguished guests from Thailand and the U.S. 

A special exhibition on Tai art and culture featuring impressive collections of antique maps and Khon masks was also organized to celebrate this special occasion.  

The occasion also marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the university’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies.  NIU is among a few federally funded universities in the U.S. to ofer Thai Studies at its Center for Southeast Asian Studies.  The university is located in DeKalb, Illinois, with a student body of approximately 25,000.