Since the commencement of 1702, the Yale Corporation has awarded honorary degrees to recognize outstanding achievement. Currently, the honorary degrees awarded annually at the University’s Commencement are the highest honors conferred by Yale. Those who have received honorary degrees represent collectively the aspirations of this institution.

In conferring the 2021 honorary degrees, Yale University President Peter Salovey read the following personalized citation for Judy Blume’s Doctor of Letters. “Gifted storyteller, nothing is off limits and no taboo is too great for your uncensored and honest voice. Treasured by readers young and old, you push past shame and convention to help us understand the world and our place in it. For championing the freedom to imagine while encouraging us to love ourselves, Yale is forever proud to award you this Doctor of Letters degree.”  

View the conferral of this year’s honorary degrees. Judy’s segment starts at 5:59.

Click here to read more about Judy’s Doctor of Letters.