The Honoris causa reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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Honoris causa

Helping orphans the way you would do it
Honoris causa (plural: Causae) is a Latin term meaning for the sake of honor, abbreviated as h.c. This designation is added when a university grants an honorary Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) or D.A. (Doctor of Arts), or other doctoral degree.

List of people with Honoris Causae