Spring Break
A free doctorate?
Only for Kermit the Frog
David Haigh
Issue date: 2/15/05 Section: News
Most students have probably wished that they could get a degree without going to class or collaborating on a group project, but those who have tried usually ended up failing out. Undergraduate and graduate degrees must be earned in the classroom, but for a select few it is possible to receive a doctoral degree from the university for free.
According to Michelle Thompson, secretary of the Board of Trustees, requirements to get an honorary doctoral degree are varied with respect to lifetime accomplishments.
"People from all walks of life can be nominated for doctoral degrees," she said, "We usually grant them to folks who have significant accomplishments in Public Service, renowned scholars, or people in the arts that are well known."
Although the Board of Trustees decides if certain people deserve honorary degrees by vote, many people argue that doing so reflects poorly on the University.
"There's no academic credibility to an honorary degree," said Arturo Nolasco, third year LAS student. "All it does is generate press about the school and boost the ego of whoever receives them."
Another controversial aspect of awarding doctoral degrees involves whether or not to include celebrities. This is a relatively recent trend, and critics think that it tarnishes the name of a University.
"I think that it's unfair to award honorary doctoral degrees to a celebrity," said Amilany Jauregui, fourth year LAS student. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to get their doctorate and I think it's insulting to give out free degrees to guys like Nicholas Cage."
Nationally, awarding doctoral degrees to celebrities has become very popular. Mike Tyson received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Central Ohio State University. Other celebrities include Tom Selleck (Peperdine University), Steven Tyler (Berklee School of Music), Tim McGraw (University of Louisiana at Monroe), and of course Nicholas Cage (Cal State Fullerton) have all been awarded honorary degrees. Even Kermit the Frog was given an honorary doctorate from Southampton College in New York.
"So instead of being knows for its academic credibility, Central Ohio University wants to be known as a place where Mike Tyson got his doctorate. I'm glad I don't go there," said Jauregui.
UIC has not offered honorary degrees to any celebrities
The UIC honorary degree recipients over the past 40 years include many people who have positively contributed to Chicago and the people who live here, a fact that most students seem to agree with.
Last year at Commencement two candidates were awarded honorary degrees. Both Margaret Burroughs, educator, artist and founder of the DuSable Museum of African-American History, who received an honorary doctorate of fine arts, and Joan Harris, arts patron, civic activist and philanthropist, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters have served Chicago.
According to Michelle Thompson, secretary of the Board of Trustees, requirements to get an honorary doctoral degree are varied with respect to lifetime accomplishments.
"People from all walks of life can be nominated for doctoral degrees," she said, "We usually grant them to folks who have significant accomplishments in Public Service, renowned scholars, or people in the arts that are well known."
Although the Board of Trustees decides if certain people deserve honorary degrees by vote, many people argue that doing so reflects poorly on the University.
"There's no academic credibility to an honorary degree," said Arturo Nolasco, third year LAS student. "All it does is generate press about the school and boost the ego of whoever receives them."
Another controversial aspect of awarding doctoral degrees involves whether or not to include celebrities. This is a relatively recent trend, and critics think that it tarnishes the name of a University.
"I think that it's unfair to award honorary doctoral degrees to a celebrity," said Amilany Jauregui, fourth year LAS student. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to get their doctorate and I think it's insulting to give out free degrees to guys like Nicholas Cage."
Nationally, awarding doctoral degrees to celebrities has become very popular. Mike Tyson received an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Central Ohio State University. Other celebrities include Tom Selleck (Peperdine University), Steven Tyler (Berklee School of Music), Tim McGraw (University of Louisiana at Monroe), and of course Nicholas Cage (Cal State Fullerton) have all been awarded honorary degrees. Even Kermit the Frog was given an honorary doctorate from Southampton College in New York.
"So instead of being knows for its academic credibility, Central Ohio University wants to be known as a place where Mike Tyson got his doctorate. I'm glad I don't go there," said Jauregui.
UIC has not offered honorary degrees to any celebrities
The UIC honorary degree recipients over the past 40 years include many people who have positively contributed to Chicago and the people who live here, a fact that most students seem to agree with.
Last year at Commencement two candidates were awarded honorary degrees. Both Margaret Burroughs, educator, artist and founder of the DuSable Museum of African-American History, who received an honorary doctorate of fine arts, and Joan Harris, arts patron, civic activist and philanthropist, who received an honorary doctorate of humane letters have served Chicago.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
max
max
posted 2/15/05 @ 9:54 AM CST
The author neglected to mention the open secret that honorary degrees are also a useful tool for universities to conduct fundraising. It's a way to recognize and thank the school's major supporters for their generosity. (Continued…)
Atis International Bible College
posted 12/01/07 @ 12:16 AM CST
Free (Honorary)Doctorate in Divinity
Moust schools offer H.DD FOR Mony this is not anymore Honoray we can call it= (Pay)DD
This site gives for free and for your work, your H. (Continued…)
Post a Comment