Sanna Marin is only one of the notable attendees who will be receiving honorary degrees at this year’s graduation in Yankee Stadium.
By Hogan Bingel
NYU will share its appreciation for influential global and local leaders by awarding them with honorary degree recognition at the 2023 Commencement, which are awarded as recognitions to someone’s contributions to society.
On March 22, NYU announced that Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin will serve as the commencement speaker for the class of 2023. This year's graduation is set to take place at Yankee Stadium on May 17. At the 190th All-University Commencement, President Hamilton will award honorary degrees to multiple esteemed individuals.
“This year’s honorees are an exceptional group of individuals, people at the forefront of their fields whose talents and successes in the arts, in education, in literature, in public service, and in the sciences exemplify the full range of human accomplishment,” President Andrew Hamilton said in the announcement. “They inspire us, and we are proud to recognize their achievements with NYU’s highest distinctions when we gather together to honor this year’s graduates.”
Sanna Marin will receive a Doctor of Humane Letter for her work in public service. Marin is Finland’s longest-serving female prime minister. At the time of her appointment in 2019, she was also the youngest person to serve as the head of any government. Marin is known for her strong, effective leadership, advocating for NATO, and majority-woman cabinet and parliament.
The list of other degree recipients includes:
American chemist Carolyn Bertozzi will receive a Doctor of Science degree for her work in cell research.
Misty Copeland, the first African American woman to be named a principal dancer in the history of the American ballet, will receive a Doctor of Science degree
Freeman A. Hrabowski, an American educator, advocate, mathematician andPresident Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Salman Rusdhie, Booker Prize-winning novelist and Distinguished Writers in Residence at NYU’s Journalism Institute, will receive the NYU Presidential Medal for his courage in expression of freedom.
Dennis Walcott, former New York City Schools Chancellor, will receive the Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City.
Andre J.L. Koo, Stern 94’ alum and NYU Trustee, will receive the Albert Gallatin Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Society for his dedicated leadership and support at the Stern School of Business.
The Presidential Medal, the Gallatin Medal, and the Rudin Award will all be presented at pre-commencement events. In honor of NYU’s Class of 2023 graduates, the Empire State Building will be lit in NYU’s signature violet on the eve of commencement, Tuesday, May 16, 2023.