Scholars, stars, and notable honorary degree recipients

What do Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Billie Jean King, I.M. Pei, and Wynton Marsalis have in common? None of these iconic figures attended Penn. But the sitting Trustees tasked with extending honorary awards found their work to be reflective of Penn’s mission and highest ideals, and awarded them honorary degrees. 

This year’s recipients include Commencement speaker Andrea Mitchell, a 1967 graduate of the College for Women, chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News, and host of “Andrea Mitchell Reports” on MSNBC. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. The other 2018 honorary degree recipients are marine biologist, oceanographer, and author Sylvia Earle; scholar and college president Freeman Hrabowski; professor Elihu Katz; music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin; author Peggy Noonan, scholar Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Hamdi Ulukaya.

Along with philanthropists and scientists, past recipients have included U.S. presidents, as well as actors, pop musicians, and foreign heads of state. Many names are instantly recognizable for their prominence or achievements: George Washington, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall. But what about Nnamdi Azikiwe, or Judith Jamison? 

Vice President and University Secretary Leslie Kruhly explains that the process of extending honorary degrees is often years in the making. As many as 40 to 50 suggestions are in consideration each year. Two committees review final nominations, one comprised of faculty, students and staff, and a Trustee committee, including the President, that makes the final decisions.

“We want someone who has accomplished something that is truly exceptional in their field,” says Kruhly. “The rubric we use is ‘best in class.’”

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Each year, between seven and eight honorary degrees are awarded in a diverse collection of disciplines. That is where the “big name” recognition is often engaged. Every year, among the notable names like Aretha Franklin, John Legend, or Lin-Manuel Miranda, are the recipients of the scholarly awards. While arguably “big names” in their field, one is more likely to come across their names in a scholarly paper or conference, rather the pages of People magazine. 

The awards date back to 1757, when Theophilus Grew, Paul Jackson, and Ebenezer Kinnersley received the first honorary degrees. The year of 1894 saw the first woman—Sara Yorke Stevenson—to receive an honorary degree. Throughout the late 1800s and turn of the century, the University began to diversify its student body and degree recipients.

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The vetting process for each year’s recipients includes a commitment to represent a diverse cross-section of achievement. This year, yogurt company founder-turned-philanthropist Ulukaya will share the stage with news correspondent Mitchell, and renowned marine biologist pioneer Earle, among others. 

The 2012 Commencement speech was given by Geoffrey Canada, who was given an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for his work as president and chief executive officer of The Harlem Children’s Zone. Canada may not have the instant name recognition as, for example, a certain lead singer of an Irish pop band, but his speech is one that Kruhly cites as a standout.

“Commencement is an extremely moving and happy celebration, and a lot of attention is paid to the speaker. We work hard to have a speaker whose words will be memorable.” 

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What was it about Canada’s speech that was particularly remarkable? 

“He asked the graduating class to join in a hard endeavor,” Kruhly says. “To join a losing team, because there is plenty of work to do. He wanted to look at a new army of people fighting for change, and recognize the students from that graduating class.” 

Canada’s speech, (excerpt below) titled “The Common Good,” arguably checks the box for “best in class.” 

“But here’s my fantasy. One day, not too long from now, my team and I will be doing battle with the forces of darkness. ... And it will suddenly hit me that I can do no more. The forces arrayed against us are too powerful, too mighty, defeat is at hand. I will not be afraid. I won’t bow my head. I’ll look my team right in the eye and say, ‘If this be the last time, let’s go down fighting!’ And suddenly from behind me, I will hear a mighty roar. I’ll turn around and see a most glorious sight; an army of better prepared, smarter, more powerful young warriors. ... And I grab several of those young warriors and I ask ‘Who are you? Where did you come from?’ And they say, ‘Don’t you remember us? We are from Penn.’ And as I move to the back to let the next generation do what I could not, I realize that all is not lost. We will win.”