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Yanni gets honorary doctorate

MINNEAPOLIS, May 7 (UPI) -- Yanni Chryssomallis, a 1976 graduate of the University of Minnesota, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from his alma mater Friday.

The singer's doctoral hooding ceremony was held with the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's 100th anniversary finale and annual celebration at Northrop Memorial Auditorium on the University of Minnesota campus.

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"Yanni is a perfect example of an alumnus who is changing the world through his music and his 'one world, one people philosophy,'" said Margaret Carlson, UMAA executive director. "Yanni is a rare artist, whose unique music defies borders and boundaries and speaks to people of all races and nations."

An honorary doctorate is the highest honor conferred by the University of Minnesota.

During its 153-year history, the University of Minnesota has presented 189 honorary doctorates to individuals who have achieved eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or in a specific field of knowledge and scholarship, such as Joan Mondale, Walter Mondale, Sigurd Olson, Antoine Predock, Charles Schulz and August Wilson.

"Music has taken me all over the world and I have taken with me the open-mindedness that comes from having been raised in two different cultures and educated at a great university," said Yanni.

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