University confers honorary degrees on Farmer, Hummel, Zhu

3:31 p.m., May 25, 2013--Three distinguished individuals were recognized with honorary degrees during the University of Delaware’s 164th Commencement ceremonies, held May 25 at Delaware Stadium.

"The Honorary Degree is the highest honor bestowed by the University of Delaware and is reserved as a recognition of true distinction," said Gil Sparks, chairman of the University's Board of Trustees. "It is my pleasure to bestow this honor on three outstanding individuals who make up the University’s Honorary Degree Class of 2013."

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

Honorees and their degrees are

• Paul Farmer, a medical anthropologist and physician who has dedicated his life to improving health care for the world's poorest people, was presented the doctor of science degree.

• Charles F. Hummel, a UD alumnus and longtime curator at the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, was presented the doctor of fine arts degree.

• Chongshi Zhu, president of China’s Xiamen University, which has several partnerships with UD, was presented the doctor of laws degree,