Honorary Degrees

The College culminated its Centennial celebration at commencement ceremonies, May 28, 1976, when 10 honorary doctorate degrees and approximately 500 bachelor of arts degrees were awarded. The awarding of 10 honorary degrees in one year was a significant event because the College had previously awarded a total of only 23 honorary degrees in its 100-year history.

The following individuals were awarded honorary doctorate degrees:

	Sarah Caldwell - Acclaimed as "America's particular operatic genius", Caldwell was artistic director and founder of the Opera Company of Boston. She became the first woman to conduct the Metropolitan Opera of New York in 1976.
	Mary Jewett Gaiser '23 - Mrs. Gaiser received many outstanding awards for distinguished volunteer service, nationally and internationally, for her work in education, health, religion and civic affairs.
	Dr. Walter Edwards Houghton - Wellesley Professor Emeritus of English and preeminent Victorian scholar, Houghton was editor of "The Wellesley Index to Victorian Periodicals" and brought international recognition to the College. He is the only man to receive an honorary degree from Wellesley College.
	Barbara Jordan - Member of Congress representing Texas, Jordan achieved national recognition for her dynamic leadership in efforts to correct social inequities.
	Rebecca C. Lancefield, M.D. '16 - An eminent bacteriologist known throughout the world for the "Lancefield Classification" of hemolytic streptococci, Dr. Lancefield's investigations developed the framework for all modern research in streptococcal diseases.
	Phyllis Williams Lehmann '34 - An archaeologist, scholar, and professor of the history of art at Smith College, Mrs. Lehmann was internationally known for her successful excavations in Samothrace, where in 1949, she unearthed a life-size statue of winged "Victory".
	Golda Meir - One of the world's most notable women, Meir had served as Prime Minister of Israel, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow, and Labor Minister of Israel.
	Dr. Ida Craven Merriam '25 - An expert in Social Security, social welfare, and social services, Craven was the former Director of Research for the Social Security Board in Washington, D.C.
	Elisabeth Luce Moore '24 - Mrs. Moore was an outstanding leader in education and promoting international understanding, particularly through her work as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State University of New York and as President of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
	Dr. Rosemary Murray - A distinguished chemist and college administrator, Murray was the first woman to be Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, England. She was, in effect, the head of world-renowned Cambridge University, since the title of Chancellor is honorary.