Hebrew University to award President Rivlin with honorary doctorate

Rivlin will be among eleven recipients of honorary doctorates in recognition of their contributions to society.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
Updated: MAY 24, 2016 05:08
President Reuven Rivlin, February 15, 2016 (photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
President Reuven Rivlin, February 15, 2016
(photo credit: Mark Neiman/GPO)
President Reuven Rivlin will be awarded an honorary doctorate and deliver a keynote address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s annual convocation, the university announced on Monday.
The event, set to take place on May 29, will mark the opening of the 79th meeting of the Hebrew University’s International Board of Governors.
The university said it was awarding Rivlin, a graduate of the university, the doctorate in part for his efforts in support of Israeli university leaders to combat the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and its objective to delegitimize the State of Israel and its academics.
The university noted the president maintains a “strong and active connection” to his alma mater, inviting the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors to meet with him at the Knesset in his first day in office.
Rivlin will be among 11 recipients of honorary doctorates in recognition of their contributions to society, including American Jewish philanthropist Mortimer B. Zuckerman, and i24 founder Patrick Drahi.
Additional recipients include: Prof. Winslow R. Briggs; Prof. Lorraine Daston; Mr. Miki Gavrielov; Prof. Francesco Iachello; Mr. Joseph Lebovic; Prof. Michael Sherraden; Mr. Stuart Silbert OAM; and the Hon. Mrs. Laura Wolfson Townsley.