FORDHAM UNIVERSITY HONORARY DEGREE FOR GMA
New York City, May 22, 2003 - - Fordham University conferred an honorary doctorate degree of laws to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday, making her and the late President Diosdado Macapagal the first ever father and daughter presidents to receive such an award. Rev. Joseph O'Hare S.J., Fordham University president conferred the degree on Pres. Arroyo in ceremonies at the James McNally Amphitheater at the law school building along West 62nd Street here. In the citation read by Fordham University Trustee and Rector of the Fordham Jesuit Community Rev. Vincent J. Duminico S.J., Fordham University "cherishes" the memory of an earlier visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to their campus. "Today, we welcome his daughter, the fourteenth president of the Republic of the Philippines, to receive a similar honor," Dominico said. The citation says that "in recognition of the many bonds that unite the people of the Philippines and the people of the United States and with admiration and respect for her intelligent and courageous leadership, Fordham University is proud to present President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa." In receiving the degree, the President said, "Today, I stand here honored with the doctorate of laws by those who taught me a great deal of what I know and made me to a great extent what I have become." She added, "In a very real sense, those who are honoring me with this degree today, led me as though by hand, to that White House Lawn. You honor me, Honorable fathers of the Jesuit community, you honor my country and you honor yourselves." Rev. Joseph O'Hare S.J., in brief remarks, noted that he has done some careful research and found that the President and his father are the only father and daughter presidents to receive honorary doctorate degrees from Fordham U.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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