{image1}When Bob Keeshan -- AKA "Captain Kangaroo" -- died last month, it was not only a sad event, but also a curious one. Turns out he had a Milwaukee connection: The gentle but silly grandfather figure with the "bowl" haircut and the mammoth sideburns received an honorary degree from Marquette University in 1983.
Interestingly, he is not the only "star" to receive an honorary degree from a Milwaukee-based university. Arthur Miller, in 1978, received one from UWM, although -- like Keeshan -- it's unclear exactly why he received the honor.
"I did some checking and found only this possible connection between Miller and Milwaukee: John Dillon, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre director for many years, met and worked with Arthur Miller and directed many of his plays," says Maureen Keyes, chair of the committee for honorary degrees at UWM.
Besides Keeshan, Marquette has a number of "famous" honorary degree recipients, including Barbara Bush, awarded in 1992, Martin Sheen in 2003 and most recently, on March 2, nobel laureate, labor leader and former president of Poland, Mr. Lech Walesa.
Marquette's honorary degree is often confused with the Pere Marquette Discovery Award, which has only been given four times since 1968, beginning with the Apollo 11 astronauts in 1969. Mother Teresa received the honor in 1981 and Desmund Tutu most recently in 2003.
"I don't think you can find the actual citations for each of these people. And there is not a simple one-size-fits-all for the awards," says Susan Hopwood, coordinator of research services of Marquette's Raynor Library who also coordinates all the research for honorary degree nominations.
Although both UWM and Marquette have a full list of recipients on their Web sites, they do not explain why they were nominated in the first place.
"They are differentiated from earned degrees like the bachelor's, master's and other doctorates in recognition of distinguished public service or outstanding attainment," says Hopwood.
However, Hopwood was able to dig up a quotation by Marquette's Father Wild that shed some light on the reason for Sheen's recognition.
"Martin Sheen's commitment to social justice is nothing short of exemplary. He reminds us -- and particularly our students -- that, in order to live fully as the men and women God calls us to be, we must look beyond ourselves and actively engage the world around us. And we must commit ourselves in a special way to serving those who are most in need."
Although Sheen is best known these days for his role in "The West Wing," it can only be speculated that he was recognized for his work as a social and environmental activist, particularly on the issue of homelessness.
Honorary degrees have been awarded in the U.S. since the 1600s, and in recent years are usually doctorates. According to the New York Times, Bill Cosby has received more than 100 honorary degrees, and a Chronicle of Higher Education article reported that Father Hesburgh (president emeritus of Notre Dame) holds the world record with 138.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
