Dr Bill Evans?

[Analog96]

Whenever the weather comes on Channel 7 Eyewitness News, a long-time Accuweather client, they make no more mention of AccuWeather, and I see very little of Lee Goldberg. I see a lot more of Bill Evans, who now identifies himself as "Dr. Bill Evans", who , as far as I know, is NOT a doctor. Anybody else see this?

[WeatherFox]

Is this him?

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/bio?section=ontv/stationinfo/bios&id=3301214

[LocoAko]

I noticed this earlier on Twitter. As far as I know, he only has a Doctor of Humane Letters, which is simply an honorary degree granted and is not indicative of a dissertation, research, etc. I'm under the impression that most people who receive it don't consider themselves nor present themselves as doctors. Pretty poor decision to use the title for yourself without having a Ph.D., IMHO.....

[LocoAko]

Via http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-honorary-doctorate.htm:

An honorary doctorate is a high-level academic recognition granted by a university to a recipient without completion of the normal requirements for that degree. Schools grant them to honor the recipient, while also benefiting the university by association. Recipients sometimes have no relationship with the school, no prior degrees, and no formal higher education; though on occasion they might already have substantial education and other doctorates. Such acknowledgement, in the form of an honorary doctorate, can result in criticism if it appears to be awarded as a favor or to gain funding.

Use of Such a Degree

The recipient of an honorary doctorate may use the degree in the same manner as a substantive degree, except under certain circumstances where formal academic background is required. Most recipients do not use the title of "doctor," though there is no rule against it. Recipients such as Benjamin Franklin, Maya Angelou, and Billy Graham, amongst others, have used the title either before or after their names. Many universities that award honorary degrees refer to their recipients as “doctor.” Whether the title is used before or after their name, people typically add honoris causa or h.c. in parenthesis after the degree title. This indicates to others that the title is an honorary one, with all the benefits that entails.

....

Critics also worry that the degree and the title of "doctor" could be used to mislead others about the recipient’s qualifications. While the honor recognizes achievement, it does not necessarily indicate the level of knowledge expected of someone who has completed a traditional doctoral program. Others claim that honorary degrees are often given with the motive to secure large donations for the university, not to celebrate outstanding achievements. Because of this, many schools have tightened their requirements and raised their standards for honorary degree nominees.

Take it FWIW.

[Stormlover74]

I haven't noticed any less of lee Goldberg ..he's still the main weeknight meteorologist

[Analog96]

I noticed this earlier on Twitter. As far as I know, he only has a Doctor of Humane Letters, which is simply an honorary degree granted and is not indicative of a dissertation, research, etc. I'm under the impression that most people who receive it don't consider themselves nor present themselves as doctors. Pretty poor decision to use the title for yourself without having a Ph.D., IMHO.....

Since there is nothing required of an honorary doctorate except for some university wanting to give it to you, you should not be using it as if you have a doctorate in a scientific field, which people will think you have (people meaning general public). Even if there's technically no rule about it, he really shouldn't say he's a Dr, as much as Dr Uccelini, for example. But then again, broadcasters with a broadcast seal from MS State claim to be meteorologists as much as any other real met out there too.

[Storm At Sea]

Since there is nothing required of an honorary doctorate except for some university wanting to give it to you, you should not be using it as if you have a doctorate in a scientific field, which people will think you have (people meaning general public). Even if there's technically no rule about it, he really shouldn't say he's a Dr, as much as Dr Uccelini, for example. But then again, broadcasters with a broadcast seal from MS State claim to be meteorologists as much as any other real met out there too.

As a physician, I can say that it is customary to ONLY use one's title of "Doctor" in the appropriate setting. For example, I went to medical school with an individual that had a PhD. When it came time to complete clinical rotations, he was explicitly told by the medical school that he was to not introduce himself to patients as "Dr. X." If I were to free-lance in television, I certainly would not have the anchors call me "Dr. Y."

[Analog96]

As a physician, I can say that it is customary to ONLY use one's title of "Doctor" in the appropriate setting. For example, I went to medical school with an individual that had a PhD. When it came time to complete clinical rotations, he was explicitly told by the medical school that he was to not introduce himself to patients as "Dr. X." If I were to free-lance in television, I certainly would not have the anchors call me "Dr. Y."

That did not hold true for "Dr" Frank Field, who for many years worked on TV here in NYC as a "meteorologist", but his doctorate was in optometry.