Governor Dukakis To Get An Honorary Degree From Pine Manor

BROOKLINE, MA — Former Gov. Michael Dukakis who began his political career as an elected Brookline Town Meeting Member and has been recognized throughout the years for his grassroots political work will be getting yet another honorary degree this month. This time in his hometown.

Pine Manor College plans to award Dukakis an honorary degree at its 107th Commencement on May 20.

Pine Manor President Thomas M. O’Reilly praised Dukakis as a champion of social justice and advocate of equal access to higher education.

“Dukakis embodies a commitment to community and community building, which is at the core of Pine Manor College. Our pursuit of ‘Educating with Purpose’ resonates with Gov. Dukakis and his work as an educator and public servant. He has made a life-long commitment of service to the people of Brookline, Massachusetts, and the United States," said Pine Manor President Thomas M. O’Reilly.

Dukakis, a two time governor and the presidential candidate in 1988, is a life-long Brookline resident and a long-time friend of the college, said O'Reilly. The former governor has dedicated his life to public service and to inspiring young people to get involved in the democratic process.

He co-authored "How to Get Into Politics – and Why," which was designed to encourage young people to think seriously about politics and public service as a career.

Dukakis follows in the footsteps of his late mother, Euterpe Boukis Dukakis, who accepted an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Pine Manor College in 1993. At the age of nine, Euterpe Boukis Dukakis immigrated to the United States from Greece and became the first young woman from her Haverhill Greek community to enter college.

“The life of the late Mrs. Dukakis reflected the journey of so many of our current students who have come from under-served communities and are first-generation college students. Her son, Michael S. Dukakis, never forgot his mother’s journey or connection to Pine Manor College and we are thrilled to recognize a second-generation Dukakis with another well-deserved honorary degree,” said O’Reilly.

Dukakis served as two time Massachusetts’ governor and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1998, but was defeated by George H.W. Bush. Before serving as governor, Dukakis was in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for four terms from 1962 to 1970. In 1986, the National Governor’s Association voted him as the most effective governor. Former Secretary of State and former Massachusetts senator John Kerry served as Dukakis’ lieutenant governor. After his career in politics, Dukakis taught political science at Northeastern University and was a visiting professor at Loyola Marymount University and in the School of Public Affairs at UCLA. Dukakis is the second Greek-American to be a governor after former governor or Maryland Spiro Agnew.

He's received a number of honorary degrees including from Trinity College in CT, Swarthmore College in PA, Salem College, and Northeastern. There is a monument dedicated to him and his wife Kitty along the Muddy River near the Longwood MBTA T stop.

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Previously On Patch: Riverway Park Dedicated To Michael and Kitty Dukakis

Photo courtesy Pine Manor.