Drexel University rescinds honorary degree for Bill Cosby

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Drexel University has joined a number of other schools in rescinding an honorary degree awarded to Bill Cosby amid accusations of sexual assault.


Comedian Bill Cosby performs at the Buell Theater in Denver. A New Hampshire woman is joining the growing ranks of accusers suing Cosby and alleging defamation. Kristina Ruehli says Cosby falsely accused her of lying when she came forward last year and accused him of raping her in 1965.

Drexel President John A. Fry says the misconduct that came to light in a deposition given by Cosby "stands in clear opposition" to the Philadelphia school's values. He says in his letter Thursday to the Drexel community that universities are "critical arenas" in addressing sexual violence and Drexel takes that responsibility seriously.

Cosby was given the honorary degree in 1992 when he was keynote speaker at Drexel's convocation, marking the beginning of the school year. Cosby has never been charged with a crime and has denied allegations that he drugged and sexually assaulted women.

November 12, 2015

"Bill Cosby has been the recipient of nearly 60 honorary degrees — everything from fine arts, music, education, and law — since his ascent into the world of comedy and acting in the 1960s. They are, like all honorary degrees, practically worthless. Even so, they do represent a public association between the conferring university and the recipient, one that in this case has become highly undesirable after the revelations of nearly 60 women who have publicly accused Cosby of sexual assault and rape. "


37 Universities on the Status of Cosby’s Degrees -- Vulture http://www.vulture.com/2015/10/bill-cosby-honorary-degrees.html/

I wonder if that means they'll stop hitting him up for money.

I have real degrees and the schools are always sending me crap.
Sometimes it's just manipulative, describing how great it is for alumni to give back, go go school spirit.

I think an honorary degree is just a way for a school to build a fake relationship with people that have money.

So, I wonder if they've scrubbed him off their mailing list entirely, or they're just doing this for publicity, and out of the papers will continue asking him for donations, possibly to help set up "scholarships."

real smart thinking... they take away his honorary degree and then think he would give them money?...

By the time the dust settles on this thing, between law suits and lawyer fees he may have nothing left to give.