Eugenie C. ScottNCSE's executive director Eugenie C. Scott received the honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Chapman University in recognition of her "work ... in advancing the public understanding and acceptance of evolution." She accepted the honor, and gave a commencement address, at the university's College of Educational Studies commencement on May 18, 2013.
The citation for the degree told Scott, "Your career in defending the integrity of science education exemplifies a combination of scholarly rigor, civic concern, and tireless devotion, all qualities that we hope to nurture in our students and to practice in our own lives," and concluded, "Whereas evolution's tenacious defender Thomas Henry Huxley called himself Darwin's bulldog, you like to identify yourself with a different domesticated canine — one which the Kennel Club's breed standard describes as 'kindly, friendly, and confident.' We take tremendous pride in bestowing this honorary degree upon 'Darwin’s golden retriever.'"
The honorary degree is Scott's ninth; she received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from McGill University in 2003, the Ohio State University in 2005, Mount Holyoke College and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, in 2006; Rutgers University in 2007; the University of New Mexico in 2008, and the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Colorado College in 2010.
Video of the ceremony is now available. Brian Alters, Professor of Education at Chapman University and president of NCSE's board of directors, introduces Scott — describing her as "arguably the most effective defender of evolution education and the integrity of science education living on the planet today" — at 34:40, and Scott delivers her commencement address at 40:10.
Updated on May 22, 2013, by the addition of the fourth paragraph.