Reagan Receives Honorary Degree (Vol. 52, Issue 4)

President Ronald Reagan received an honorary degree from Yeshiva University during a special ceremony at the White House, December 18, honoring the University’s Centennial, Dr. Norman Lamm, President of the University announced.

A select group of University Benefactors, board officers, and University officials attended the private reception in the White House Cabinet Room. Dr. Lamm, who is marking his first decade as President of the University, read a special Citation and then conferred upon President Reagan the degree of Doctor of Laws. President Reagan was also presented with a special sterling silver menorah as a Channukah gift.

Dr. Israel Miller, Senior Vice President of Yeshiva University, presided at the ceremonies. Assisting in the hooding of the President was the Hon. Herrbert Tenzer, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, Stanley E. Stern, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Max J. Etra, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Trustees.

The ceremony at the White House was another in a series of special events of commemorating the University’s Centennial. In the last two years, Yeshiva University has conferred honorary degrees upon several high level officials of the U.S. Government. They include: Vice President George Bush, Secretary of State George P. Shultz, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, and recently, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. William J. Bennett.

In November, President Reagan, in a letter to the University, declared that Yeshiva University “has maintained a tradition of excellence and creativity. Its history - representing as it does both freedom of secular inquiry and freedom of religion - is the story of America.” The President concluded by stating, “Nancy joins me in wishing you Mazel tov and another 100 years of success.”