Former U.S. Surgeon General among honorary degree recipients at WFU commencement

By Sarah S. Mansell
(336) 758-5237
May 20, 2002

Wake Forest University awarded five honorary doctorate degrees during its commencement ceremony May 20. The 9 a.m. outdoor ceremony on University Plaza featured U.S. Senator John McCain.

The university presented honorary doctor of laws degrees to McCain; F.M. Kirby II, president and founder of the F.M. Kirby Foundation; and Floyd Abrams, one of the country’s leading First Amendment attorneys and partner with the law firm Cahill Gordon & Reindel.

Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher received an honorary doctor of science degree.

The university also presented Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, with an honorary doctor of humanities degree during commencement weekend. Edelman delivered the university’s baccalaureate address on May 19.