Saturday afternoon saw the graduation of the Class of 2010 at Lincoln College. The event was the 143rd such commencement the college has held and the first ever to be held in the new Lincoln Center.
With special music, prayers, speeches and the delivery of an honorary degree to Dionne Warwick, the packed house roared from time to time as friends, family and those hoping to catch a glimpse of  Warwick offered loud applause in celebration of the day.
 

Pictures by Nila Smith

Members of the Lincoln College Chorale gather on the bleachers to present "That's What Friends Are For," a song made famous by honorary degree recipient Dionne Warwick.

Later in Warwick's brief speech to the Class of 2010, she would take a moment to compliment them on their work.

Dr. Theodore Allison presented Warwick to the audience. As the sponsor of her honorary degree, he spoke briefly on her history in music. He praised her not only as a great recording artist, but also as a great humanitarian.

Allison noted Warwick's achievements and recognized her as the first African-American solo female artist to win a Grammy, for the best contemporary female vocal performance in 1968.

President John Hutchinson presents Warwick with her honorary degree, Doctor of Fine Arts. She addressed the audience, offering her sincere appreciation for the degree, and to the Class of 2010 she said she wanted to wish them all love, luck, wealth and most importantly health.

Back to top