Brown confers eight honorary doctorates

Thomas Catena's parents accepted a doctorate of medical science degree on his behalf.
Thomas Catena's parents accepted a doctorate of medical science degree on his behalf. | Contributed photo

Brown University President Christina Paxson awarded eight honorary doctorate degrees to scholars, scientists, artists and leaders of distinction during the school's recent commencement.

Recipients were Cornelia Isabella Bargmann, neurobiologist and brain scientist; Umberto Crenca, artist, performer and community leader; Angus Deaton; Nobel Prize-winning economist; and Kevin Gover, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian; Antonia Hernández, social justice champion and nonprofit leader; Jean Elizabeth Howard, teacher, scholar and Shakespeare expert; Charles Rosenthal, business executive and civic leader; and Thomas Catena, medical doctor, humanitarian and one of TIME magazine’s most influential people.

Catena, currently in Sudan was unable to attend. His parents accepted a doctorate of medical science degree on his behalf as Paxson lauded his medical skills and calling to serve others.

“With little regard for your own safety, you helped establish Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains and became the only medical doctor at the only hospital in the entire region during a time of great national strife,” Paxson said in her presentation. “For your selflessness, your determination to leave no patient untreated, and your illustration of what it means to be a true humanitarian, we honor you with the degree of doctor of medical science, honoris causa.”