PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III was formally conferred an honorary degree by Fordham University during his visit on Monday. Fordham University officials led by its president Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J. presented the President with his Doctor of Laws degree honoris causa in ceremonies held at the institution’s Keating Hall, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York. In his remarks after the conferment, the President expressed awe at being conferred a degree saying that he was “struck by the symbolism” of the event. “I am struck by the symbolism of Fordham’s tradition of literally carving in stone, the names of leaders upon whom you have conferred honorary doctorates,” the President said.
President Aquino now joins over 30 others, including that of his mother, whose names are carved on the steps of what is known as the “Terrace of the Presidents” at Keating Hall. The President’s name was carved next to that of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, who also received an honorary degree from Fordham in September 1986. (PCOO)