His citation: "A former specialist in labor law, active in improving the administration of justice, he now exercises his gift for reconciliation in the highest court of the land."

Whitney M. Young Jr. has been executive director of the National Urban League since 1961. He is the author of To Be Equal (1964) and other studies of Negro problems. Considered a moderate on civil rights questions, Young has been warning lately that the return of a mass of Vietnam veterans who are used to violence could cause trouble in America unless something is done fast domestically.

His citation: "A voice of reason in a turbulent time; a determined leader unfailingly bent upon insuring equal opportunity for all our citizens."

Pedro G. Beltran was prime minister and minister of finance of Peru from 1959 to 1961, and is now publisher of La Prensa. He is also former Peruvian ambassador to the United States, and former chairman of the Board of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru.

His citation: "Fearless publisher, informed leader, Peruvian patriot, we salute you as a leading citizen of our hemisphere."

Livingston T. Merchant is now U.S. executive director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. A career diplomat, he has served as Assistant and Undersecretary of State and in several posts abroad.

His citation: "In a long career this discerning diplomat has advanced the interests of our country with faithfulness and distinction."

J. E. Wallace Sterling is an historian who is retiring this year after 19 years as president of Stanford University. He was recently president of the Association of American Universities.

His citation: "A major American university has grown notably in stature and influence through his skilled and devoted leadership."

Dorothy Crawfoot Hodgkin won the Nobel Prize in 1964 for her determination of the structure of Vitamin B12. She has also determined the X-ray structure of penicillin. Politically, Mrs. Hodgkin is probably the most left-leaning of the honorary degree recipients.

Her citation reads: "We hail a brilliant and persevering lady whose remarkable achievements in X-ray crystallographic analysis have significantly enlarged the horizons of science."

Marshall W. Nirenberg, a research chemist, is chief of the Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics of the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Md.

His citation: "In elucidating the chemical nature of the genetic code he has contributed to a major revolution in biology in our time."