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Commencement 2011
Recipients of honorary degrees
July/August 2011
John Heilbron, historian of science, whose work “shows how science has shaped social, political, and religious institutions and has been shaped by them.” Doctor of Humanities.
Joan Didion, a writer whose “unflinching prose” captures “the magic and mystery of life and death” and who has influenced “two generations of writers with [her] unwavering eye and eloquent expression.” Doctor of Letters.
Richard Peto, an epidemiologist who “set a new standard for clinical trials” and thereby “confirmed the links between tobacco use and disease” and “led to new understandings of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and cancer.” Doctor of Medical Sciences.
Youssou Ndour, Senagalese singer and pioneer of Mbalax music, whose compositions meld “African rhythms with traditions ranging from Cuban samba to hip-hop, jazz, and soul,” and whose humanitarian work gives “voice to hope and our common humanity.” Doctor of Music.
Gro Harlem Brundtland, former prime minister of Norway and director-general of the World Health Organization, whose work established “the foundation for global cooperation on the environment and sustainable development” and who is “distinguished by a deep sense of stewardship for the health, welfare, and future of the earth and all its peoples.” Doctor of Humane Letters.
Douglas Engelbart, the engineer whose invention of the computer mouse “put computing in our hands, creating a user interface the world now takes for granted” and “augmented our capacity to explore the world’s increasingly complex problems.” Doctor of Engineering and Technology (Yale’s first).
Chris Argyris, scholar of organizational behavior, whose discoveries “have motivated generations of leaders to transform the practice of management” and inspired “countless scholars and practitioners to improve the effectiveness of organizations the world over.” Doctor of Social Science.
Martin Scorsese, filmmaker, whose work explores “gritty reality in ways that enlighten, engross, and entertain” and provokes “anxiety while revealing the underworld in society and in the human soul.” Doctor of Fine Arts.
Janet Rowley, doctor and geneticist, who “unlocked the genetic basis of leukemia” and whose insights into the workings of chromosomes have “led to new understandings of disease, improved diagnosis, and opened the way for highly effective treatments.” Doctor of Medical Sciences.
George J. Mitchell, former United States Senate majority leader and diplomat, whose “patience, tact, insight, and integrity” have earned him “the trust of bitter enemies and made the world a safer place.” Doctor of Laws.
Recipients of teaching prizes
Sybil Alexandrov, senior lector in Spanish and Portuguese: the Richard H. Brodhead '68 Prize for Teaching Excellence by Non-Ladder Faculty.
Dana Angluin, professor of computer science: the Dylan Hixon '88 Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Natural Sciences.
William Kelly, Sumitomo Professor of Japanese Studies and professor of anthropology: the Harwood F. Byrnes/Richard B. Sewall Teaching Prize for a “towering figure” in undergraduate education.
Kevin Poole, assistant professor of Spanish: the
Sarai Ribicoff '79 Award for the Encouragement of Teaching at Yale College.
Vivek Sharma, assistant professor of political science: the Lex Hixon '63 Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences.
Sun-Joo Shin, professor of philosophy: the Sidonie Miskimin Clauss Prize for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities.  |
