Photo: Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images
Ithaca College will honor its distinguished alumnus, Disney CEO Bob Iger, with a Doctor of Letters degree during the college's 130th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18. Iger, who graduated from Ithaca College in 1973 with a degree in television-radio, will be recognized for his significant contributions to the field and his ongoing support of the college.
According to CNY Central, Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish praised Iger, stating, "There are a multitude of ways in which Bob Iger is truly deserving of this honor." She highlighted Iger's alignment with the college's mission to educate, engage, and empower through theory, practice, and performance.
Iger has been a long-time supporter of Ithaca College, as noted by CNY Business Journal. He established the Reginald Simmons ’75 Memorial Award, funding students' participation in Operation Crossroads Africa, and in 2019, he and his wife, Willow Bay, committed $1 million to create the Iger-Bay Endowed Scholarship. Iger has also served as an honorary trustee since 1990 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
While Iger will not deliver the commencement address, he will attend the ceremony and speak briefly upon receiving his honorary degree, as reported by The Ithacan. The commencement will take place at 10 a.m. on May 18 in the Glazer Arena inside the Athletics and Events Center.