Aretha Franklin just might change her title from “Queen” to “Doctor.” The legendary Queen of Soul took part in Princeton’s commencement ceremony this week to accept an honorary doctor of music degree. NJ.com says the singer donned a cap and gown as she stepped up to accept the diploma and doctoral hood during the ceremony. In announcing Franklin’s degree, Princeton’s Stephen Oxman praised Aretha for her “impeccably bold and fearless” performing style, saying it “calls upon listeners to journey to the depths of her soul and, in so doing, discover their own.” The Princeton recognition is the latest in a growing list of academic honors for Franklin. Yale, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Berklee College of Music are some of the other schools that have awarded honorary degrees to the singer.
