Aretha Franklin accepted an honorary degree from Harvard University on Thursday.
The Ivy League school bestowed the soulful singer with a Doctor of Arts, right after she sang the national anthem before the university's 363rd ceremony.
This is not Franklin's first honorary degree from one of America's most prestigious schools. In 2012, Princeton awarded her with an honorary Doctor of Music degree.
In addition to Franklin, several notable figures received honorary degrees from Harvard as well, including former President George H.W. Bush, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, author Isabel Allende, medical ethicist Patricia A. King, botanist Peter H. Raven, art historian Seymour Slive, and economist Joseph E. Stiglitz.
Bush received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, news92fm reported. Harvard President Drew Faust recalled Bush's leadership, saying he "piloted our nation though changeful skies."
Additionally, Bloomberg was picked to give the main commencement address.
According to The Boston Globe, Harvard does not announce receipients of their honorary degrees until the today of commencement.
