Photo by Herb Weitman

Ella Fitzgerald receives an honorary doctor of fine arts degree at the 1974 Commencement. The University conferred its first honorary degree upon Nathan D. Tirrell in 1859 and the first honorary doctoral degree was conferred upon William Chauvenet in 1870. The University has bestowed 541 honorary degrees over the years, to such prominent individuals as Bob Hope, James Michener, Joseph Pulitzer, Howard Nemerov, Duke Ellington, Charles Lindbergh and Stan Musial. Six more will be conferred at this year's Commencement, to Madeleine K. Albright (who will also deliver the Commencement address), Herman N. Eisen, Douglass C. North, Ozzie Smith, William P. Stiritz and Blanche M. Touhill.

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Washington University is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2003-04.

Special programs and announcements will be made throughout the yearlong observance.