Aretha Franklin Honored by Princeton with an Honorary Degree

Aretha Franklin received some major r-e-s-p-e-c-t during Princeton’s commencement ceremony yesterday. The university presented the Queen of Soul with an Aretha Franklin Honorary Princeton Degree, awarding her an honorary Doctorate of Music in recognition of her exceptional career in the entertainment industry.

Presenting the award to Aretha, university trustee Stephen Oxman referenced two of the singer’s popular songs, saying:

“With her singular ‘Amazing Grace,’ Franklin continues to traverse musical bridges ‘over troubled water.’”

At 70 years old, Aretha has sung everything from gospel to soul, jazz, rock, blues, and pop over her 50 years in the business. NBC Philadelphia notes that she’s recorded 223 albums and received 21 Grammy Awards. She’s also performed at presidential inaugurations and sang at the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968.

Princeton’s honor isn’t the first she’s been given by a university either. In 2007, she also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

Go head Ms. Franklin! How do you feel about the Aretha Franklin Honorary Princeton Degree?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

Source: thejasminebrand.com

More on Madame Noire!

• Confession: I Felt Joy Hurting a Man
• Well, Hiya To You! Shouting Out Some Of Our Favorite Black Imports From Britain
• Why I Think Natural Hair is Indeed a Political Statement
• Where You Been Cherie Johnson?
• Grieving Over a Girlfriend: 7 Ways to Move on After a Break-up…Between Friends
• What’s Black Enough For You?