An honorary degree is Franklin & Marshall’s highest honor presented to those who represent the college’s mission through qualities of intellect, creativity and character. President Fry previously served as Franklin & Marshall’s president from 2002 to 2010.
Temple University President John received an honorary degree during the Franklin & Marshall College’s 239th Commencement ceremony.
Photo by Franklin & Marshall College
From 2002 to 2010, Temple University President John Fry served as the 14th president of Franklin & Marshall College (F&M), a liberal arts college located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1787. While there, Fry helped reshape the college, strengthening both residential life and the academic experience. He also championed an outward-looking, community-engaged philosophy that still guides the institution.
On May 9, Fry was recognized for his many contributions to F&M when he received an honorary degree during the college’s 239th Commencement ceremony.
“This is truly one of the greatest honors of my life,” Fry said. “Franklin & Marshall had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. My children grew up there, and it is also the place where I found my voice as a leader. I will always treasure my time spent at F&M and the memories made there.
“I am deeply grateful to Franklin & Marshall College President Andrew Rich and the College’s Board of Trustees for this recognition,” Fry added.
An honorary degree is F&M’s highest honor presented to those who represent the F&M mission through qualities of intellect, creativity and character. Joining Fry in receiving honorary degrees during this year’s ceremony were Susan Eckert and MaryAnn Robins.
Several thousand attended F&M’s 239th Commencement ceremony, which was held at the College’s Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. Prior to the conferral of Fry’s honorary degree, a video tribute aired where the Temple president reflected on his time serving as a higher education leader, both at F&M and at other institutions.
“These jobs are family jobs. Yes, I was a president, but in the end, if I had to choose between one important thing at the college or something that was important to my kids, I’d always choose what was important to my kids,” reflected Fry during the video. “At the end of my life, when I look back, I want to know that I always tried to do the right thing and if it wasn’t popular or if I didn’t succeed, I left it on the court.”
At the conclusion of the video, Sunita Kramer, provost and dean of the faculty at F&M, invited President Fry to come forward for the presentation of the honorary degree.
“President Fry, for your exceptional efforts to strengthen F&M’s high impact liberal arts curriculum, for your work in shaping F&M’s long-term view outward, upward and toward a brighter future, for your commitment to growing and improving F&M’s physical campus and for your consistent resolve to improve the educational landscape for F&M, Drexel and Temple, Franklin & Marshall College bestows upon you the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters,” said Kramer.