Brown University to Confer 9 Honorary Degrees - Recipients to Include Speaker Pelosi and Shaggy 

Brown University to Confer 9 Honorary Degrees - Recipients to Include Speaker Pelosi and Shaggy 

During its Commencement and Reunion Weekend from May 27 to 29, Brown University will confer honorary doctorates on nine candidates who have achieved great distinction in a variety of fields. 

“A Brown tradition since 1769, the annual presentation of honorary degrees offers our community the chance to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds,” said Brown President Christina H. Paxson.

“Having made tremendous impacts in government, public health, the arts, global affairs, science and technology, and more, this year’s distinguished recipients offer a superb example to our newest graduates," she added. 

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The full list of honorary degree recipients includes:

Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott — Physician and public health leader
Dr. Seth Berkley — Physician and public health leader
Guido Imbens — Nobel Laureate and economist
Stanley Nelson — Oscar-nominated filmmaker
Nancy Pelosi — Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Shaggy — Reggae icon and U.S. Marine
Alice and Thomas Tisch — Brown leaders and benefactors
Zeynep Tüfekçi — Technology scholar and educator

In addition, Brown will honor the late telecommunications pioneer George H. Billings (1950-2021), a Class of 1972 graduate. On the day of his death, Paxson conferred upon him a Doctor of Humane Letters and presented him a doctoral hood. During Commencement, Billings’ brother, John Billings, will accept a diploma in recognition of the honorary degree.

Honorary degrees are awarded by the Board of Fellows of the Brown Corporation and are conferred by the University president — in English and in Latin — during Brown’s Commencement exercises. 

Pelosi will deliver a Commencement oration during the University Ceremony on Sunday, May 29, following two senior orations from members of the Class of 2022 and the presentation of honorary degrees.

Shaggy will receive his degree and deliver an honorary degree oration during the Undergraduate Class of 2020 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 28.