As many universities across the nation celebrate their graduating classes of 2026, the same was held in the land of the blue and maize, as the University of Michigan honored its graduates on Saturday. With thousands of students in attendance, layered in various graduation stoles, among the most decorated participants in Ann Arbor that day was 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Michigan.
Phelps joined Michigan basketball legend and member of the historic “Fab Five” Jalen Rose (he also served as the Commencement Speaker), lawyer and writer Shirin Ebadi, MED-EL Chief Executive Officer Ingeborg Hochmair, and businessman Ron Weiser as honorary degree recipients.
According to mlive.com, also receiving an honorary degree was Kent Syverud, who was set to assume the position of president of the university, but was diagnosed with brain cancer in April.
This commencement also marked a historic milestone for the university, as among the 14,000 graduates of this now-concluded spring semester was the University of Michigan’s 1 millionth student to receive their degree from the institution, dating back to its first commencement in 1845.
Though he never graduated from Michigan with a degree, Phelps did take some classes in sports marketing and management while training under Bob Bowman as part of Club Wolverine.
The world’s most decorated Olympian also spent time as a volunteer assistant coach with the Wolverines and still holds a fondness for the Wolverines’ athletic programs.
I can’t tell if all the hate comments are sarcastic or not. Do people think Bill Nye is actually a doctor in biology, physics etc…?
Honorary degrees get given out all the time to people who never took the classes to earn them but did undeniably amazing things. Typically alumni, as is the case here.
Please don’t hate if the comments are sarcastic.
He deserves the recognition and has accomplished more than most with a college degree. I am happy to see this.
How did bro get that honorary degree, dude barely got an undergrad degree
I don’t think he got an undergraduate degree.
he did not, j took random classes
Show us your stuff, Michael.
I’d like to see this newly-empowered law degree holder go to World Aquatics and get the “Lochte Rule” overturned!
Does he really actually still have a man bun? Hey Phelps….2013 called, they want their hairstyle back.
What an absolute joke
He and Kim Kardashian should start a law firm together.
My understanding: MP was not admitted to the University as an undergraduate student (due to academics). And, decades later, he receives an honorary Juris Doctorate (without an undergraduate degree from anywhere)? Say what? Top 10 law school and athletic department groveling for money.