Jon Batiste, Allyson Felix: Here are the people who will get honorary degrees at R.I. colleges and universities this year

Boston Globe

09-05-2025

Brown University
Jon Batiste:
The seven-time Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and composer will be receiving an honorary doctorate of music.
Allyson Felix:
The five-time Olympian who is the most decorated American track and field athlete in history is being honored with a doctorate of humane letters.
Eileen Hayes:
The longtime president and CEO of Amos House, the Rhode Island organization that offers employment programs and housing for people facing addiction, poverty, hunger, and homelessness, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Suleika Jaouad:
The Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of 'Between Two Kingdoms' and 'The Book of Alchemy' will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
William Kentridge:
The South African artist known for his writing, drawing, and film work will receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts.
Timothy Snyder:
The leading historian on Ukraine, Central Europe, the Soviet Union and the Holocaust will receive an honorary doctorate of letters.
Kevin Young:
The acclaimed poet, essayist, poetry editor, and curator will receive an honorary doctorate of letters.
Johnson & Wales University
Greg Cook
: The executive vice president and president of Institutional Group for Ecolab Inc. will receive a doctorate of business administration.
Providence College
Christopher K. Reilly:
The co-founder of private investment firm, KarpReilly LLC, and the outgoing chair of the Providence College Board of Trustees will receive an honorary doctorate of business administration.
The Most Rev. Richard G. Henning:
The Catholic Archbishop of Boston will receive an honorary doctorate of sacred theology.
Michael Cox:
The 44th commissioner of the Boston Police Department will receive an honorary doctorate of public service.
Ann Manchester-Molak:
The retired executive vice president of Providence College will receive an honorary doctorate of communication.
Judge Frank Caprio:
The retired Providence Municipal Court judge will receive an honorary degree.
Brother Ignatius Perkins:
The founding director of the St. Martin de Porres, O.P. Center for Health and Human Dignity and professor of nursing at Providence College will receive an honorary doctorate of nursing.
Ronald P. Stride:
The retired senior vice president and managing partner-Asia for Booz Allen & Hamilton, a management consulting firm, will receive an honorary doctorate of business administration.
Rhode Island College
George Nee:
The retired RI AFL-CIO labor leader will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Princess Sirleaf Bomba:
The social justice and education advocate and director of equity, community, and belonging at The Wheeler School in Providence will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Bette Gallogly:
The current shelter coordinator for Community Care Alliance will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Jocelyn Foye:
The executive director and co-founder of The Womxn Project, the grassroots organization committed to advancing bodily autonomy, civic engagement, and equity, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Maria Cimini:
The director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Meghan Grady:
The executive director of Meals on Wheels Rhode Island will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Roger Williams University
Cole Brauer
: The first American woman sailor to race solo nonstop around the world will receive a doctorate of humane letters.
Joseph M. Brito
Jr.:
The entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president and CEO of C.B. Utility Co., Inc. and C. Brito Construction Co., Inc.,
will receive a doctorate of humane letters.
Kevin M. Lynch:
The chief of police in Bristol, R.I., will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
Judge Clifton B. Newman:
The retired South Carolina Circuit Court judge will receive an honorary doctorate of laws.
University of Rhode Island
Steven Feinberg:
The executive director of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office will be honored with a doctorate of letters.