Inside MMC

Home — Alumni—Legends Among Us: 10 MMC Honorary Degree Recipients You Should Know

Legends Among Us: 10 MMC Honorary Degree Recipients You Should Know

How well do you know the history-makers and cultural icons who make up MMC’s honorary degree recipients? As we mark the passing of journalism pioneer Barbara Walters H’83 and honor the legacy of Coretta Scott King H’69 on MLK Day, our thoughts turn to this remarkable segment of our community. Below, we explore the achievements of 10 honorary degree recipients; view the complete list here.

Marlee Matlin H' 87--With her performance in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God, Matlin became the first deaf performer to win an Aca...
John Leguizamo H'18--The award-winning actor, producer, author, and activist has established a career that defies categorization. You mig...
Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Ph.D., H'06--Dr. Gates is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for Afri...
Hillary Rodham Clinton H'05--Clinton, who served as the 67th U.S. secretary of state under President Barack Obama, made history in 2016 a...
Geraldine Ferraro '56, H'82--Nearly 40 years ago, Ferraro (left) became the first female vice presidential candidate to represent a ...
Judith Jamison H' 86--Jamison, a celebrated dancer and choreographer, became an international star after joining Alvin Ailey in 1965; in ...
Joan Rivers H'96--With a five-decade career in comedy, Joan Rivers was among the country's first successful female stand-ups and con...
Chinua Achebe H'91--A celebrated Nigerian author and poet, Achebe wrote the seminal 1958 novel Things Fall Apart. He is considered a fath...
Twyla Tharp H'89--An iconic dancer, choreographer, and director, her career is the stuff of legend: as her official bio notes, Tharp has ...
Rosa Parks H'81--An American hero who, by a single act of resolve, helped spark the civil rights movement, Parks needs no introduction. H...

Published: January 24, 2023

Photo Gallery: Alumni Reunion 2024

MMC welcomed back alums from class years ending in 4 and 9 at its 2024 reunion on May 18. Among the highlights: MMC’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony, an alumni luncheon, a presentation by Interim President Peter Naccarato, and campus tours. Watch a video recap and view the photos below!