In appreciation of Vartan Gregorian's "remarkable" scholarship and leadership in academia and philanthropy, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign presented him with an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters at its 130th commencement. Gregorian is president of Carnegie Corporation of New York.
In conferring the honor, Jesse G. Delia, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the university, noted that Gregorian had accomplished much in his life--and done it with "accountability, integrity and enthusiasm." Delia paid particular tribute to Gregorian's writing "the definitive book" on modern Afghanistan, rising rapidly from professor to provost of the University of Pennsylvania, revitalizing the New York Public Library as its president and chief executive officer, expanding interdisciplinary studies at Brown University during his tenure as president and, currently, as president of Carnegie Corporation, using his "considerable talent" to promote the improvement of public schools, among other important causes.
"Vartan Gregorian, scholar, educator, administrator," said Delia. "You are a remarkable leader of academia and philanthropy, and you have been a vital defender of the traditional roles of America's libraries."