UMASS: YOU GET A DEGREE!
Oprah to receive scholarly souvenir
Oprah Winfrey’s visit to UMass Lowell is fast approaching and, apparently, she’ll be leaving the campus with a scholarly souvenir. The university just announced it will be awarding the talk-show legend an honorary doctor of humane letters degree when she stops by the school to speak next month. Winfrey will be sitting down for “A Conversation with Oprah Winfrey” on Nov. 15 as part of the Chancellor’s Speaker Series. As the name of the event implies, the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s chancellor, Jacquie Moloney, will be moderating the dis- cussion, and any funds raised from ticket sales will support student scholarships.
As far as the honorary degree goes, Moloney said the UMass Board of Trustees will be handing Winfrey the distinction because of her continuous efforts to making the world a better place.
“That she has done this from so many different perspectives — as a reporter and as a philanthropist, as an entertainer and as an entrepreneur — makes her a peerless storyteller and connector,” Moloney said. “Her work ethic, grit, authenticity and her character resonate deeply with our UMass Lowell community.”
As Winfrey fans know all too well, the media mogul made her mark by hosting and producing the award-winning “Oprah Winfrey Show” for 25 years. Her seemingly endless resume also includes heading up OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Harpo Films and O, The Oprah Magazine, as well as ample philanthropic work. Somehow, a small share of tickets to see Winfrey in person still remains. Procrastinators hoping to catch her on the Lowell campus can purchase seats via the Tsongas Center box office.