Yale awards Clinton honorary degree

NEW HAVEN , Conn., May 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was among those to receive honorary degrees from Yale University this year.

Clinton was honored Monday at Yale's 308th graduation ceremony, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Tuesday.

Before handing Clinton her Doctor of Laws honorary degree, University President Richard Levin praised Clinton for "hard work, forceful advocacy and an impressive grasp of the issues."

Clinton earned a Yale law degree in 1973 and served as first lady during her husband's presidency before being elected to the U.S. Senate from New York in 2000 and re-elected in 2006. She was named to President Barack Obama's Cabinet in January after seeking the Democratic party's presidential nomination last year.

Yale's other honorary degree recipients Monday included sculptor Richard Serra, writer John McPhee, choreographer Bill T. Jones, theologian Gustavo Gutierrez, composer Sofia Gubaidulina and scientist Leroy Hood.