Honorary Degree Recipients
Adolph Augustus Berle, Jr.
Former Assistant Secretary of State
1967 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Bio
Background information is taken from "Adolph Berle: Power without Property" by Carlos Pardo located on the World Wide Web.
"Adolph Berle was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 29, 1895. He graduated from Harvard with honors in history when he was 18, received an M.A. The next year, and at 21 became the youngest graduate in the history of Harvard Law School. Soon after he embarked on a highly successful career as a corporate lawyer in New York and, beginning in 1927, also taught corporate law at Columbia Law School."
"Berle entered public affairs in 1933 as an economic expert in Franklin D. Roosevelt's original 'brain trust.' From 1934 to 1937 he worked simultaneously as a planner for the federal government and the city of New York. He prepared the Securities and Exchange Act and work in the reorganization of New York City's Government under Fiorello La Guardia. As U.S. assistant secretary of state for Latin American affairs from 1938 to 1944 he implemented the 'good neighbor' policy and promoted postwar agreements for collective security. In 1945-1946 he served as ambassador to Brazil. Berle was also President Kennedy's special advisor on Latin America."
Commencement, University of Detroit, April 29, 1967.
Berle, Augustus Adolph, Jr.
Former Assistant Secretary of State
1967 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Theresa Blaquire, RSM
Former Executive Director, Core City Neighborhoods, Inc.
1994 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Citation
While unselfishly dedicated to God and Humanity as a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, you have distinguished yourself as a compassionate, innovative and thoughtful leader. In the effort to revitalize community neighborhoods and address the plight of the homeless, your leadership during the past decade has helped Core City Neighborhoods achieve the physical and economic revitalization of a Detroit Westside neighborhood through community organizing, business initiatives, improved housing and programs in crime prevention and home repair. During your administration, 50 rental housing units were renovated and more than 100 home repair projects completed. The success of this award-winning revitalization plan has made it the model for other inner city communities.
In addressing social needs, you have created and implemented a variety of unique programs. Through your vision, the McAuley Institute was developed to offer technical assistance on housing development to non-profit groups. This initiative grew from your work in coordinating the "Shelter the Homeless Project" on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy of the Union. In each of your earlier roles - as a community center director, a pastoral minister, a regional councilor for the Religious Sisters of Mercy, an elementary school principal, a college instructor and teacher - you have demonstrated your gift for innovation and leadership in service to others. For your pioneering work in community development, you have received numerous awards and recognition, including the St. Vincent DePaul Spirit of Caring Award, the Wayne County Winning Way Award and the Spirit of Detroit Award. In recognition of your ongoing commitment to community service, University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to award you an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 14, 1994.
Blaquire, Theresa, RSM
Former Executive Director, Core City Neighborhoods, Inc.
1994 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Edward O. Blews, Jr.
President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan
1994 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Citation
As an advocate for Michigan's 46 independent colleges and universities, you have represented these institutions to state and national legislators and other policy makers with integrity and dedication. With your personal goodwill and firm manner, you have generated both financial and political support for the more than 85,000 students attending private institutions of higher learning. Your efforts during the past 15 years have resulted in an increase of allocations for student financial aid and degree reimbursement programs.
As president and chief spokesperson for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan, you have presented a strong, unified message to legislators, emphasizing students' rights to affordable choices in higher education. This accomplishment extends from your own conviction in the mission of independent colleges - a belief that helped to convince policy makers to include private colleges in the state's prepaid tuition program. Your frequent testimony on student financial aid in private education before legislative committees in Michigan, as well as at federal committees and special hearings, demonstrates your expertise in local, state and national education issues.
Over the years, you have shared your time and expertise in support of private education as chair of the State Association (of Independent Colleges) Executive Council and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and its Government Relations Committee. In recognition of your successful advocacy on behalf of private higher education in the State of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to award you this Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 14, 1994.
Blews, O. Edward, Jr.
President, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan
1994 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Danny J. Boggs
Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth District
1993 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Citation
Since 1986, you have served admirably as circuit judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth District. In this position you are responsible for administering justice for the Midwest region, which includes Michigan. Your appointment to this position was made by then President Ronald Reagan in recognition of your dedication and accomplishments as an attorney and government official. Your varied and illustrious career in both the public and private sectors allows you to draw upon a wealth of experience in interpreting the spectrum of today's legal issues.
As a strong proponent of civil rights and equality, you have contributed to the legal profession through noteworthy rulings on racial, criminal and First Amendment issues. Your judicial opinions and perspective on government policy have been widely published in newspapers and journals. Before your appointment to the Bench, you served your country notably through such state and federal governments positions as Deputy Secretary, United States Department of Energy; Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan; Assistant Director, Office of Policy Development, and Assistant to the Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice.
In recognition of your expertise, you have been awarded the Order of the Coif and the Secretary of the Department of Energy's Gold Medal. Throughout your professional career and early days as a student at Harvard University and the University of Chicago, you maintained a reputation for excellence and personal integrity. In recognition of your continued commitment to equality and justice for all, the University of Detroit Mercy bestows upon you the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law, May 16, 1993.
Boggs, J. Danny
Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth District
1993 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Michael P. Bourke, Rev
Priest, Superintendent of Hospitals
1922 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Bio
Background information was gathered from The Official Catholic Directory, Anno Domini 1932.
Rev. Bourke's assignments included St. Mary's Chapel for Catholic Students, Ann Arbor [p.325] and Superintendent of Hospitals, St. Joseph Sanitarium, Ann Arbor [p.322].
Commencement, University of Detroit, June 21, 1922.
Bourke, P. Michael, Rev
Priest, Superintendent of Hospitals
1922 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Marcia A. Boyd, D.D.S.
Professor Emerita, Univesity of British Columbia
2002 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Citation
Since joining the University of British Columbia thirty years ago, you have had a positive influence on thousands of men and women who practice dentistry today. As a member of the department of Oral Health Sciences, you have held numerous teaching and administrative positions, and currently serve as Professor Emerita. In addition, you have been a visiting lecturer at dental schools around the world, including the universities of Hong Kong and Saskatchewan, Trinity Collage in Ireland and Columbia University in New York City.
With a strong commitment to ensuring the continuous competency of dental students and practicing dentists, you have established a platform of guidelines and standards for dental school graduates. Your innovative efforts in clinical testing, measurements and evaluations of students and dental graduates have been recognized internationally in the dental education community.
Respected by your colleagues for your creative thinking, depth of knowledge and effective communication, you have been published extensively and have given numerous presentations at professional conferences around the world. In addition to your expertise in competency-based assessment and dental education, your broad spectrum of subject matter ranges from dental ethics to women in dentistry to nutrition and dental health.
Through the years you have been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including an award of merit from the Canadian Dental Association and a distinguished service award and presidential citation from the American Dental Education Association. You continue to share your knowledge through your active participation in these two associations as well as many other professional organizations.
In recognition of your leadership in dental education, your commitment to the highest standards of dental competency and your advocacy of dental ethics, the University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to present you with the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Dentistry, May 18, 2002.
Boyd, A. Marcia, D.D.S.
Professor Emerita, Univesity of British Columbia
2002 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
T.A. Boyd
Chemical Engineer
1952 Honorary Doctor of Engineering
Citation
From time to time it is proper for the University of Detroit to single out individual men and women whose lives illustrate what is meant by the achievement of an ideal. Tonight on the occasion of its 75th anniversary year, the University has chosen to be especially bountiful not only in the number of those whom it presents for emulation and for honor, but also in the wide diversity of the vocations in which they have made their dreams come true.
I present, Very Reverend President, for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering.
T. A. Boyd, graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering, has devoted his life to the problem of power - power on the highway, power in the air. No gremlin, either chemical or mechanical, has eluded his exorcising research. His discoveries have been shared with his fellow workers in three score illumination articles, and his more popular writings have fired the imagination of thousands of youthful scientists. His achievements have been crowned by the highest awards in his field, notably the Lamme medal from Ohio State University and the Horning Memorial Award conferred by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Commencement, University of Detroit, June 11, 1952.
Boyd, T.A.
Chemical Engineer
1952 Honorary Doctor of Engineering
Edmund M. Brady, Jr.
President, Michigan Bar Association
1998 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Citation
During an illustrious career of 32 years, you have distinguished yourself as a leader in the legal profession and in the community.
In recognition of your high regard within the legal community, you were elected the 63rd president of the State Bar of Michigan, representing 32,000 members. Active in numerous professional organizations, you have earned the distinction of Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Bar Foundation, and Life Fellow by the Michigan State Bar Foundation. Other honors include the American Bar Association's ALCA Silver Key Award, and Distinguished Service Awards by both the Michigan Defense Trial Council and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program.
Known for your legal expertise in the areas of medical and dental malpractice and health care law, you serve on the boards of St. John Hospital and Medical Center and its parent organizations, St. John Health System, and previously served as a charter board member of the Bons Secours Foundation. You have demonstrated your civic leadership through local governance of the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores and Grosse Pointe Township over the past 23 years.
As an alumnus of the University's law school, you have shown your support by serving as director and president of the Law Alumni Association Board of Directors and by participating on the law school's Commission on the Future Task Force. The School of Law Alumni Association acknowledged your many contributions with its Award of Distinction.
In recognition of your professional integrity, commitment to the legal profession and service to your community, the University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to present you with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.
Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law, May 10, 1998.
Brady, M. Edmund, Jr.
President, Michigan Bar Association
1998 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Ernest R. Breech
Chairman of the Board, Ford Motor Co., University of Detroit Board of Trustees
1955 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Citation
Last evening the University's Baccalaureate speaker took as his theme the Credo of the University of Detroit - that we believe in God, in the intrinsic value of the human person, in his God-given rights; that we therefore stand opposed to the materialistic philosophies which would make man the pawn of the State, of an economic system, or the mass mind. He pointed out that the secret of human relations is man's ability properly to appraise the value of the human person in himself and in his fellow man, and that this value is rooted in the eternal destiny of the individual soul.
It is evident that such a Credo is elusive in the abstract. It is possible to dramatize it in the panorama of history, as Father Lord did in his brilliant creation, "Light Up the Land." And it will be understood and accepted if it appears visible and, so to speak, incarnate in the distinguished deeds of men of action of our own times.
As the University looks out over the Detroit of today, she notes with pride its giant accomplishments in housing, in transportation, in community service, in municipal administration and in industrial relations. This fills her with a special and urgent sense of responsibility for the role which she feels called upon to play in ministering to the heart and soul of the Detroit of tomorrow. In attempting to fulfill this responsibility she is heartened and strengthened by knowing that many of the very men who have contributed notably to the material progress of Detroit are eager to share, and have already shared, in her educational and spiritual mission.
The University is deeply grateful to these men for the encouragement, the inspiration, and the assistance which they have given in such generous measure.
Tonight, Reverend President, I have the privilege of presenting three of these men, members of the Advisory Board of Lay Trustees, for the highest recognition which the University has the power to bestow - the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
The greatest obstacle to human progress has always been friction, mechanical friction, friction of ideas, and the clash of personalities. Man won his first battle against friction when he discovered the wheel.
In the early years of this century, in a little town in the Ozarks, a boy was learning in his father's blacksmith hop "that making wheels run better was the way to get ahead." Wheels became for him the symbol of smooth-running efficiency. He went to college and learned that figures and phrases and ideas could be made to whirl and gyrate with smoothness and precision. He entered the business world and found that even human beings could be taught to function efficiently together if they were properly organized and inspired. From that day to this Mr. Ernest Breech has been in demand as an organizer and inspirer of men.
It was inevitable that such a mind should immediately catch the import of the message in Father Lord's "Light Up the Land" and want its inspiring appeal carried to all the young people of America. And so under his sponsorship and with his assistance the song and color of this magnificent spectacle lives on in a full-length file. This is only one of many indications that Mr. Breech values the distinctive educational ideal which are the cherished heritage of the University of Detroit.
Reverend President, I present Mr. Ernest R. Breech for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
Commencement, University of Detroit, June 16, 1955.
Breech, R. Ernest
Chairman of the Board, Ford Motor Co., University of Detroit Board of Trustees
1955 Honorary Doctor of Laws
Michael J. Brennan, M.D.
President and Medical Director Emeritus, Michigan Cancer Foundation
1992 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Citation
During your 40-year career as a doctor, educator and researcher, you have distinguished yourself as a dedicated and enthusiastic leader in the medical field. From your early days as a graduate and teacher at the University of Detroit to your current positions as President and Medical Director Emeritus of the Michigan Cancer Foundation and Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Wayne State University, your contributions and successes have been numerous. Under your capable direction for the past quarter-of-a-century, the Michigan Cancer Foundation has developed into one of the foremost centers for cancer research and community cancer control in a metropolitan area. Your foresight, expertise and untiring efforts contributed greatly to the establishment of the nationally recognized Meyer L. Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit. With four medical books and more than 100 published works to your credit, your ongoing commitment to medical education and knowledge is certainly apparent. You continue to serve your profession and your community through your involvement in numerous medical, educational, fraternal and civic organizations. Father of eight, grandfather of 25, traveler, golfer and American history buff, you have demonstrated a zest for life in all you do! In recognition of your leadership in the medical field and your contributions to the advancement of cancer research and education, University of Detroit Mercy is pleased to award you this Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree.
Commencement, University of Detroit, May 9, 1992.
Brennan, J. Michael, M.D.
President and Medical Director Emeritus, Michigan Cancer Foundation
1992 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
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