Hasty Pudding Institute to honor music producer Clive Davis

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 has announced it will present famed music producer Clive Davis with its 2015 Order of the Golden Sphinx Award.

Davis, 82, is to be honored at the annual Order of the Golden Sphinx Gala to be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City April 13.

The Order of the Golden Sphinx is named for a traditional symbol of Harvard University's performing arts organization. It is the highest honor bestowed by the institute and recognizes individuals in the entertainment industry for their extraordinary contributions to the performing arts.

Previous recipients include Michael Lynton, chief executive officer of Sony Entertainment, and Harry Potter producer David Heyman.

"We are particularly proud and excited to honor Clive Davis this year," Andrew Farkas, chairman and Grand Sphinx of the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, said in a statement. "Music has always been an integral part of the Hasty Pudding traditions, from the musical comedies produced by the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, to the vocal performances of the Harvard Krokodiloes, so it was time we turned to the music industry to select our next Order of the Golden Sphinx recipient. Clive's tremendous achievements in discovering and fostering new musical talent embodies the passion of those individuals upon whom we proudly bestow our highest honor."

"It's a true thrill to be honored by the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770. I know originality and wit will be present in abundance on April 13 and I'm going into training to be a congenial subject," said Davis. "This American institution is so very special and, for this 'kid from Brooklyn,' to be its honoree is personally very moving and touching."