by Boo Jarchow
Yale University presented the "Queeen of Soul," Aretha Franklin, an honorary doctorate at the university’s commencement ceremonies on Monday. Along with a brief musical tribute, and prolonged cheering from those in attendance, Franklin accepted the honorary doctor of music degree.
While Yale does not appoint a commencement speaker per se, the univeristy is renowned for awarding a range of artists, scientists, political figures and academics with honorary degrees.
“We know royalty when we see it, and you are, without question, the Queen of Soul. A natural woman, you have been signing your whole life, learning the grace of gospel from family and faith community, tuning it with your own sometimes painful, often joyful, experiences, and creating a signature style that transcends any one musical genre,” Yale President Richard C. Levin said in his introduction of the singer.
“You have sung the nation’s hopes at presidential inaugurations and shared your gifts with generations of music lovers. From gospel to pop, from blues to hip-hop, your voice expresses our feelings,” Levin noted.
Franklin had a cute pink camcorder and shot footage of all the professional photographers and lucky fans taking photos of her before leaving the campus.
At Monday's graduation, Yale awarded 2,986 degrees, in addition to the 10 honorary degrees, with 225 more awarded provisionally to law school students who have yet to finish their exams.
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