Who Are the People Getting Honorary Degrees?
By awarding honorary degrees, Duke University makes claim to excellence in a range of human endeavors, from scholarship and innovation to artistic performance. This year, Duke will present seven honorary degrees to individuals who have changed the world in some measure. Here is a brief look at the recipients:
Melinda French Gates
Melinda Gates, who will deliver this year's commencement address, is co-founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The foundation focuses on improving global health, eliminating global poverty and expanding educational opportunities and access to information technology in the United States. With a $33.5 billion endowment, it is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world.
Gates served as a Duke trustee from 1996 to 2004. Her gifts to Duke have resulted in the creation of the French Family Science Center, the University Scholars Program and, with The Duke Endowment, the DukeEngage program.
Gates earned a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics from Duke in 1986 and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987.
Watch: Speaking at the opening of the French Science Center, Gates talks of the need to address the great health disparities of our time.
Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse
In 1993, Barankitse was working for the Catholic bishop in eastern Burundi, when ethnic Tutsis stormed the bishop's residence and killed 72 Hutus. Barankitse saved 25 children and set out to provide a safe haven for them.
That home she founded for 25 orphaned children who survived the attack, known as Maison Shalom, or "House of Peace," has grown into a multi-functional service agency that supports more than 30,000 young people and families. Her work emphasizes the interrelations of education, health, microfinance, community and faith.
Watch: In this video, Barankitse discusses the events of Oct. 24, 1993.
Quick Fact: Barankitse will talk about her faith work amid the region's civil war at 10 a.m. May 10 in the Divinity School's Goodson Chapel. The event is free.
Dr. Max Cooper
Max Cooper has made pioneering discoveries in immunology. A member of the National Academy of Sciences and a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the Emory, he has been chair of the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology Advisory Board for seven years and collaborates with many Duke faculty.
Cooper said his studies led to the discovery that two very different types of adaptive immune systems, called T cells and B cells, have evolved in vertebrates. He then set out to figure out "which came first, T cells or B cells?" but ended up discovering something even more surprising: From an evolutionary standpoint, two separate types of immune cells have existed in living organisms far longer than researchers previously thought.
Quick fact: Cooper started his medical career as a pediatrician. An interest in inherited disorders sparked his research into the immune system.
David S. Ferriero
Well known to fans of Duke University Libraries, Ferriero became the 10th archivist of the United States in 2009. He previously served as Duke university librarian from 1996-2004 and as a former director of New York Public Libraries.
He is the first librarian to serve as the nation's archivist and to lead the National Archives and Records Administration. As U.S. archivist, he says his goal "to ensure that we have the user at the center of our thinking -- historians, genealogists, open government folks. What can we do to make their lives easier?"
Watch: David S. Ferriero and others talk about the importance of citizen archivists.
Quick fact: Ferriero collects first editions of literature and has donated 5,000 volumes from his collection to Duke.
Henry Louis Gates
Henry Louis Gates Jr. directs the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. He is known for his extensive research of African-American history and literature, and for developing and promoting the study of African-American literature.
In recent years Gates has turned to television, where he has hosted several noted series, most recently "Finding Your Roots" where he explores issues of race and culture while helping individuals discover their genetic history. He has written 16 books and is editor-in-chief of TheRoot.com, a daily online magazine devoted to African-American issues.
Watch: Gates explores his Irish roots.
Quick fact: Gates He was the first African American to receive the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship.
William H. (Bill) Gross
A 1966 Duke graduate, Gross is a founder, managing director and co-CIO of Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO), one of the world's largest investment firms with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management. Gross is also the manager of the world's largest mutual fund, the PIMCO Total Return Fund.
He is a frequent contributor to TV, radio and print publications and has written two books on investing. For more than 20 years, he has written the widely followed monthly column Investment Outlook.
Watch: Gross and Duke President Richard H. Brodhead discuss education and the economy.
Quick fact: As of November 2005, Gross became the third person to form a complete collection of 19th century United States postage stamps.
Judith Jamison
Hailed as one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, Jamison was artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for 21 years and was named artistic director emerita in 2011. She created many noted works for the company, which was founded in 1958 to bring African-American cultural expression and the American modern dance tradition to the world.
Jamison, a former principal dancer for Ailey who became artistic director when founder Alvin Ailey died in 1989, led the company on two historic engagements in South Africa and a 50-city global tour to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.
Watch: Jamison discusses her career and commitment to dance success.
Quick fact: Jamison achieved international fame in 1971 with "Cry," a solo performance that was dedicated by Ailey "to all black women everywhere -- especially our mothers."