There’s something quite ironic about the fact that rapper Kanye West received an honorary PhD considering his first three albums were titled The College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation.
However, after almost 20 years in the music industry, West has in a sense “graduated”, after receiving an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.
Dr. West, as he can now be called, is just one of a number of celebs who have received academic recognition without writing a dissertation.
Jon Bon Jovi
In 2001, the “Livin’ On A Prayer” signer received a doctorate of humanities from Monmouth University. Rock on!
Yoko Ono
Liverpool University gave John Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono a doctorate of laws in 2001 after founding the Strawberry Fields Memorial Park and the John Lennon Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is given to students at the University.
Aretha Franklin
The legendary soul singer was awarded not one but FOUR honorary degrees for her contribution to music; in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011. One word – R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
J.K. Rowling
For someone who started their writing career in an Edinburgh cafe, The Harry Potter creator has achieved remarkable feats. Rowling has six (yes, six) honorary degrees: St. Andrews University, Napier University, the University of Exeter ( all 2000), the University of Edinburgh (2004), the University of Aberdeen (2006) and the prestigious Harvard University (2008). But what we really want to know is, what house would she be; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slyrtherin?
Muhammad Ali
The “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” boxer punched above his weight when he was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities from Princeton University in 2007. Just two years later, Muhlenberg College honoured him by awarding him another honorary doctorate.
