'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin can now add a degree from one of the world’s most prestigious colleges to her endless list of accomplishments after she was awarded an honorary degree from Harvard University on Thursday.
According to Billboard, the “Chains of Fools” vocalist received an honorary degree during the Ivy League’s Commencement held in Tercentenary Theatre. She later would go on to perform a soulful rendition of the national anthem along with a piano number.
The school her with an honorary doctor of arts for achievement in music, which includes being the most charted woman in music history, the first woman to be inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, 18 Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and The President Medal of Honor.
The The New York Daily News reported that former president George H.W. Bush also received an honorary degree at the commencement ceremony. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave the commencement speech.