Honorary Degree Recipients Also Include Playwright Shanley, White House Journalist Thomas, Nobel Physicist Fert, and Health Advocate Gruman; Schools Chancellor Klein to Receive Rudin Award

NYU President John Sexton and Board of Trustees Chairman Martin Lipton today announced the names of those to be honored at the University’s 177th Commencement Exercises, which will be held Wednesday, May 13th, in Yankee Stadium.

Hillary Rodham Clinton - the U.S. Secretary of State and the former U.S. Senator from New York - will address the graduates and guests. Clinton will receive a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, at the ceremony.

This year’s other recipients of honorary doctorates are:

  • Albert Fert - the Nobel-winning physicist whose discoveries led to miniaturization of computer hard disks - will receive a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa.
  • Jessie Gruman - the nationally recognized health and health research advocate - will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa.
  • John Patrick Shanley - NYU alum, playwright, and winner of a Pulitzer, a Tony, and an Oscar - will receive a Doctor of Letters degree, honoris causa.
  • Helen Thomas - journalist, “dean” of the White House press corps, and long-time observer of US presidents - will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, honoris causa.

The 2009 “Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City” will be presented to Joel I. Klein, the New York City Schools Chancellor.

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