Actor Idris Elba can add “Doctor” to his resume after receiving an honorary doctorate from Ravensbourne University.
The graduation took place on Dec. 6 at the Barbican in London, where 800 students walked the stage to receive their degrees. Elba was chosen because of his entertainment industry achievements and cultural impact. Elba received his award alongside Nike’s Vice President of Creative Concepts, Tinker Hatfield.
“Our honorary doctorates are given to role models who embody the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of Ravensbourne,” Andy Cook, Vice Chancellor at Ravensbourne University London, said in a statement, according to the university’s press release. “Idris and Tinker have both used their creativity to shift culture, to transform industry and to create real social change: this is exactly what Ravensbourne equips our graduates to do.”
During the ceremony, Elba shared with the graduates the importance of education, using himself as an example of how far education had brought him.
“Education is the exact foundation that I am standing on here today,” Elba said during his speech. “Because of my education, I got to go places that I never even dreamed of going to. I wanted to be in the creative arts because I wanted to contribute, I wanted to have a seat at the table, I wanted to have someone that looked like me, to have something to offer, and my education prepared me for that.”
He continued, “Ravensbourne stands for the very same values: putting skillsets in students and giving them an opportunity to have a seat at the table forever. So many amazing students have come from here and are still contributing. The truth is: the learning always continues.”
He finished his speech by saying, “I am super proud of this, because it’s an honour, but also, now, you lot can call me Doctor Dris.”
The Beast actor posted about receiving his honorary doctorate on Instagram.
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