Embassy News 2007
Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde Receives An Honorary Doctorate from University of Minnesota
The Regents of the University of Minnesota have conferred an honorary doctorate degree in law to Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde.
Dr. Robert H. Bruininks, President of the University of Minnesota and a member of the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, bestowed the honorary doctorate on Mr. Haarde at a special ceremony at the University of Iceland May 24.
“This has been a great day” said Prime Minister Haarde after he was given the honorary degree only three hours after his new coalition cabinet was sworn in.
Those attending the ceremony included the former President of Iceland Vigdis Finnbogadottir, U.S. Ambassador Carol van Voorst, and dozens of Icelanders, who had also graduated from the University of Minnesota.
The honorary degree is the highest award conferred by the University of Minnesota. About 200 honorary degrees have been awarded since the university was founded in 1851.
Dr. Bruininks said the University of Minnesota wanted to honor the former student for his contributions to Icelandic society and for enhancing the reputation of the University. Mr. Haarde completed a master’s degree in economics from the University of Minnesota in 1977.
“This was an honor and a pleasant surprise,” the Prime Minister said. He said the ceremony brought back memories from his time at the University of Minnesota: “I had a wonderful time in Minnesota and returned home with knowledge that has proven very useful in my life.”
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| Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde with U.S. Ambassador Carol van Voorst shortly after he was presented an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Minnesota. |
Mr. Haarde said it is very important for Icelandic society that university students go abroad to study. "I recommend that students take advantage of the opportunities and broaden their horizons by going to study abroad."
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cooperation between the University of Minnesota and University of Iceland, and both rectors said the cooperation has been very successful and fruitful. Earlier, the two universities signed an agreement to continue their cooperation. When asked about the value of such an agreement, Mr. Haarde said, “I believe it’s positive to continue that cooperation and to deepen it.”