Diddy stripped of honorary degree in US over violence against Cassie
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Howard University, a Historical Black College (HBC) in Washington, United States, has announced revocation of an honorary degree conferred on Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, following the video the school considers a major breach of its core values.
The video emerged last month showing Diddy physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016.
Diddy, who was a Howard student but left before graduating, received an honorary doctorate in 2014.
However, a statement on Howard University website at the weekend disclosed the Board of Trustees unanimously voted to accept the return of the honorary degree.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014,” the statement recounted.
“This acceptance revokes all honours and privileges associated with the degree.
“Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
“The Board has also directed the university administration to immediately take the following actions: terminate a 2016 gift agreement with Mr Combs, disband the scholarship programme in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
“No payments towards the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date; therefore, no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
The statement added Diddy is “deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honour” as a result of his behaviour captured on the tape, which is “fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs.
“The university is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.
“The board and university administration have no further comment on this matter.”
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