Tyrese Gibson and Rickey Smiley received honorary doctorate degrees by Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University. The award ceremony took place on August 25 in Georgia.
Alongside the celebrations, Gibson has faced some online criticism for receiving the title of ‘Dr.’, which some believe should be reserved for those who have spent years earning the title through formal education. Despite the online detractors, the singer known for hits like “How you gonna act like that,” took to Instagram to celebrate his recent accomplishment with the caption “Please please I am asking you to put some respect on my name Dr Gibson is here…..”
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Smiley who is a renowned comedian and the radio host of the “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” shared the significance of the degree during the media segment of the ceremony. “It means a lot to me it always good to be honored, you work so hard for so many years and sometimes you think people don’t recognize what you got going on, so it’s a blessing just to be honored, and just to be in the mix with all these wonderful hard working talented people, so I’m just excited to be here.”
Honorary degrees awarded to celebrities can be a topic of much debate. Some argue that they recognize the significant contributions of individuals in their respective fields, while others believe they undermine the value of academic achievements. Notably, celebrities such as Ben Affleck and Missy Elliott have received such degrees for their impact in the arts. Universities may award these honors to acknowledge excellence in various domains, from entertainment to humanitarian efforts.
Other notable celebrities who also received honorary doctoral degrees during the ceremony include Brely Evans, D-Nice, Raheem DeVaughn, Claudia Jordan, Natasha Leath, and Andrea Kelly. Congratulations to Dr. Verna Caddie head of Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University and the 2024 doctoral class.
What are your thoughts on celebrity honorary degrees? Do you think it’s a trend?
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