Steve Tippins explains three ways to thank your dissertation committee: acknowledge them in your dissertation, thank them verbally at your defense, and send a written note. The note should cite a specific example of their help and describe its impact on your work, signed formally with their proper title.
Your committee may have pushed you hard and maybe even harder than you wanted, but they helped you earn your doctorate. Let me show you the simplest, most professional way to write a thank you note without overthinking it. Whether you loved your committee or just survived them, the truth is you're going to cross paths again. Here's how to write a thank you note that's gracious, professional, and helps your career. So why does the thank you note actually matter? Well, first, academia is a really small world. A good thank you note helps you maintain relationships long after graduation. Your committee later on may write letters of recommendation for you, open up other research opportunities for you, connect you with data sources, or co author with you. Even if the process was bumpy, a thank you note is professional and gracious. So there are three different ways to thank your committee members. The first is the acknowledgement section. A sentence or two is enough, and if it's not there, it's conspicuous in its absence. The second way is is to personally thank them. And a great opportunity is at the end of your final defense where you should take a moment and thank your committee for the support they provided you to get to this point. The third way is a written thank you note. You know, why does this matter? Well, first, they may never read the acknowledgment and a separate note seems more personal and thoughtful. Printed or handwritten is okay, but sign it yourself and I will tell you from experience, it's rare to get one of these so they are meaningful. So what should you include in the note? Be specific and prefer provide an example of something they helped you with. Be professional. Use doctor in the salutation unless they've told you otherwise. Don't make it sound like a form letter. Be genuine. It shines through. And if you have a positive or meaningful experience during the process with them, share that and how much it meant to you. So I would open with gratitude. Share a specific example. Share how their involvement impacted you on your journey. Close, warmly, professionally. If you're looking for an actual example that is going to help you write this, click the link below and I'll share examples. If you're going to do this, avoid some pitfalls. Don't be vague. Hey, thanks for being on my committee. Don't try to be overly casual. This is a formal thank you. Don't make jokes about how painful the process was. Keep it professional. Don't say God, you were a jerk and thank God you finally got on board. And don't skip the note because you're tired. This can matter in the long run to you. If you're struggling with a thank you note or any other part of your dissertation, join our free Dissertation Help Community. You'll get our free five step Dissertation Acceptance Framework, real support from veteran committee chairs, live Q and A sessions, and a one on one session to help you move forward faster. You don't have to do this alone. Just click the link below to join thousands of dissertation students who've refused to stay stuck. I'll see you inside.
