President-emeritus Lowell will play a new role on Commencement, for instead of awarding a host of degrees and welcoming thousands into "the ranks of educated men" as he did for the past 24 years he will sit on the platform and receive an honorary degree from his alma mater.
Although President Lowell has an honorary degree from numerous other Universities throughout the world, the one that still remains to be awarded him, the one perhaps which he will treasure the most is the Harvard degree. For 24 years it was one of his many duties to award the honorary degrees and take part in the selection of men who were to receive them, and so the man who, above all others, was entitled to a Harvard LL.D. was not in the position to accept one.
When President Conant steps to the microphone of the public address system set up on the stage behind Sever Hall and begins his career as a donor of degrees, it is highly probable that he will first of all make the presentation to President-emeritus Lowell. With dignified mien and stately poise, Harvard's former president, who well remembers the function which will then be performed by his successor, will be once again honored by the University which he served for 24 years.
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