As graduating seniors are presented with their degrees at commencement, six other prominent figures will receive honorary degrees from Washington University. In addition to the doctor of humane letters degree awarded to commencement speaker Tim Russert, the University will award three doctor of science degrees, a doctor of journalism degree and a doctor of humanities degree.

Tim Russert is best known for his role as moderator of the program “Meet the Press” on NBC. Russet will be the only honorary degree recipient to address the graduating class and his selection was based on a number of criteria.

“That was a careful consideration with lots of candidates on a list and we took a person who we thought would be a well noted figure, who would have a sense of current issues facing new graduates, a person who would be well known, and a person with great accomplishments in the field that they work in,” said Chancellor Mark Wrighton in a meeting with Student Life earlier this year.

Another broadcast journalist, Paul Harvey of ABC radio, will be awarded a doctor of journalism degree. Harvey has previously been awarded five prestigious Marconi Radio Awards, been inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and been given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Harvey has previously received an honorary degree in the humanities from the University.

Princeton University President Shirley Tilghman will receive an honorary degree in science for her work in mammalian developmental genetics and her advocacy for increasing the involvement of women in science.

“Like many women of my generation, when I entered science there were many fewer women in the field than today. Many of us had to overcome prejudice and stereotypes about what a scientist looks like,” said Tilghman. “We’ve been doing this in lots of different ways.”

Former medical school faculty member William Sly will also receive a doctor of science degree. Sly currently works at St. Louis University and specializes in research on inborn errors of metabolism.

The final doctor of science degree is to be awarded to David C. Farrell, the former chairman and chief executive officer of the May Department Stores. Since retiring, Farrell has been a prominent University donor, providing sizeable gifts to create a professorship and to build the Farrell Learning and Teaching Center on the medical campus.

“If you really want to help St. Louis, the best way to do so is by helping Washington University,” said Farrell. “It really has a global reach to do so.”

This year, a degree in the humanities will be awarded to Henry Givens Jr., the president of St. Louis’ Harris-Stowe State University. Givens is a St. Louis native and has overseen the growth of Harris-Stowe University from a one-degree teachers college to a state recognized university.

Honorary degree recipients are chosen by the board of trustees from a pool of nominees from the University community; the nomination process is completed near the start of April in the year preceding commencement and the board of trustees finalizes its decision at its quarterly meeting in March.

“Sometimes we have as many as sixty candidates and we usually have about five honorary degrees and a commencement speaker at the maximum,” said Secretary to the Board of Trustees Harriet Switzer at the Chancellor’s meeting.

In order to receive an honorary degree from the University, a recipient must attend commencement.

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