<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/stories-behind-2026-commencement-honorary-degree-recipients.html" dsn="news"><title>Three Lives of Impact, One Uncommon Honor: The Stories Behind Commencement's Honorary Degree Recipients </title><item_date>07/06/2026 02:50:56 PM</item_date><author>Hannah Van Sickle</author><image><img src="/news/images/commencement-2026-covino-honorees.jpg" alt="4 people standing together in graduation robes"/></image><image_caption>From Left to Right: Dr. Michael Hoge, David C. McCourt, Atty. Paul W. Lee, and President Nicholas Covino</image_caption><thumbnail><img src="/news/images/commencement-2026-covino-honorees.jpg" alt="4 people standing together in graduation robes"/></thumbnail><summary>William James College celebrated Commencement on Sunday, June 14, 2026. This year’s honorary degree recipients, chosen for enduring impact in their respective fields, include a business leader and philanthropist; a psychologist and expert in behavioral health workforce development; and an attorney and advocate for the Asian American and BIPOC communities. Each was introduced by a William James College faculty member before receiving their Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa and corresponding academic hood. </summary><category>In the Community</category><featured/><tags><tag>Commencement</tag><tag>In the Community</tag></tags></item>