“Last year – in 2008 – Dublin City University (DCU) awarded two honorary doctorates, both at the same ceremony. On this occasion the awards were given to Mrs Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, and to Dr Martin McAleese; they were intended to mark the contribution of both to Ireland’s culture and education, and more particularly also to their vital role in promoting and supporting peace in Northern Ireland. They both spoke movingly at the ceremony about the ideals of scholarship, and of tolerance and peace. And I believe we were able to present this as a very special occasion, not least because theirs were the first honorary degrees DCU had awarded for a while, and because no others were awarded that year. During the same year, perhaps some 45 or so honorary doctorates were awarded in other universities in the state. Actually I am guessing, it may have been more. In fact it has been DCU’s policy since I became President in 2000 to award honorary doctorates sparingly, and to avoid awarding them to individuals whose main claim was their celebrity status …” (more)
[Ferdinand von Prondzynski, University Blog, 11 March]