Yanni gets honorary doctorate

[United Press International]

MINNEAPOLIS, May 7 (UPI) -- Yanni Chryssomallis, a 1976
graduate of the University of Minnesota, received an honorary
doctorate of humane letters from his alma mater Friday.
The singer's doctoral hooding ceremony was held with the
University of Minnesota Alumni Association's 100th anniversary
finale and annual celebration at Northrop Memorial Auditorium on the
University of Minnesota campus.
"Yanni is a perfect example of an alumnus who is changing
the world through his music and his 'one world, one people
philosophy,'" said Margaret Carlson, UMAA executive director. "Yanni
is a rare artist, whose unique music defies borders and boundaries
and speaks to people of all races and nations."
An honorary doctorate is the highest honor conferred by the
University of Minnesota.
During its 153-year history, the University of Minnesota has
presented 189 honorary doctorates to individuals who have achieved
eminence in cultural affairs, public service, or in a specific field
of knowledge and scholarship, such as Joan Mondale, Walter Mondale,
Sigurd Olson, Antoine Predock, Charles Schulz and August Wilson.
"Music has taken me all over the world and I have taken with
me the open-mindedness that comes from having been raised in two
different cultures and educated at a great university," said Yanni.