June 4, 2009

It's an Honor to Receive This Doctorate

It's an Honor to Receive This Doctorate 1

U. of Notre Dame

The Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh (shown here with his academic regaliain 1982), former president of the U. of Notre Dame, has received more honorary degrees than Kermit the Frog and Mike Tyson, among others.

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close It's an Honor to Receive This Doctorate 1

U. of Notre Dame

The Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh (shown here with his academic regaliain 1982), former president of the U. of Notre Dame, has received more honorary degrees than Kermit the Frog and Mike Tyson, among others.

By Thomas Bartlett

When President Obama gave his commencement address at the University of Notre Dame last month, he lightened the mood with a joke about honorary degrees. "So far I'm only one for two as president," Mr. Obama said. "Father Hesburgh is 150 for 150."

He was referring to the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, former Notre Dame president, who just turned 92. And that number, 150, is correct. No one has racked up more honorary degrees than Father Hesburgh.

So how did he do it?

Well,

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