Copyright AL.com
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt received an honorary doctorate from Tuskegee University’s board of trustees during the HBCU’s homecoming weekend. The politician said she was “blown away” to receive the Doctorate of Laws degree during her speech at the convocation ceremony held at the University Chapel on Sunday. This year’s homecoming theme was “Tuskegee Renaissance Era.” Britt talked about how she was moved by the university’s legacy and history as she visited the campus while she was on the campaign trail. She said the university’s heritage, students, administration and staff made her commit to the university. “I know it’s not lost on any of you that you walk through history each and every day. You students walk in the footsteps of giants. But I believe that you are making history yourself,” Britt said before mentioning the legacies of George Washington Carver and Birmingham native Zachary White II, a Tuskegee grad who became a U.S. White House fellow in 2024 and is now a chief resident physician at Stanford University. Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark A Brown welcomed Britt by expressing his appreciation for the way she secured $6.7 million in federal funding for the university’s new flight program and how she and other politicians called on the U.S. Air Force to reinstate videos about the Tuskegee Airmen in the military curriculum after they were removed during the early days of Trump administration anti-DEI directives. Brown asked the aviation students to stand up during the convocation. He noted Tuskegee’s history in working with politicians to secure the success of the university. “Today we continue to benefit from the political savvy from a modern day political tycoon, a congressional leader and public servant to her community, Senator Katie Britt,” Brown said. ”Her actions as a senator tell us that she believes in the power of unleashing human potential.” During her speech, Britt encouraged the students to persevere. “Because, as the first female elected in the state of Alabama to serve in the United States Senate, I am well aware that the world does place limitations on us. And if I stood up here and told you anything different, I wouldn’t be being honest with you. But what I have found in life, that it is the ones that we place on ourselves that do the most damage,” Britt said. “So believe in what is possible. Know that these men and women are pushing you to stretch to your limit, because they know that God has a purpose and a plan for you. And everyone’s skills and gifts and talents that the Lord has given you are different, but it is incumbent upon you to use them to continue to build off of the incredible legacy that we have here and contribute to the continued success of this incredible institution. It is an honor to be here with you all today. It is an honor to have gotten this doctorate and to officially be part of the Tuskegee family.” Britt’s selection to receive an honorary doctorate received mixed reviews from students, alumni and fans of the university. In comments on Tuskegee’s Facebook and Instagram pages, some thanked Britt for her work, while others expressed their distress and concern about Britt’s politics, such as her affiliation with President Donald Trump. The University has since limited comments on both social media platforms about Britt getting the degree.
