Anderson sang instead on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, before an audience of 75,000.

Born in 1902 in Philadelphia. Anderson received the Bok Prize in 1940 as an outstanding Philadelphian. She used the $10,000 stipend to set up the Marian Anderson Award, a fund to help young people pursue artistic careers regardless of race or creed.

Anderson's citation reads: "With a voice of overwhelming beauty, she has lifted the spirits of her countrymen: with grace and dignity, she has exemplified the true meaning of fraternity and freedom."

The seven people who received honorary degrees this morning were selected by a small committee composed of members of the governing boards and faculty last fall.

Each year, the committee begins the selection process in September, soliciting suggestions for the honorary degrees awards from members of the Harvard community and alumni, and within a few weeks starts to trim down a list of more than 300 names.

The only requirement for an honorary degree is that the chosen recipient come to the Commencement exercises to receive the degree in person.

Normally, the University awards eight honorary degrees, but this year one degree recipient was forced to cancel his appearance here at the last minute, an administration source said this week.

Harvard's honorary degrees usually go to people who the committee believes have received less recognition for their contributions than they deserve, which is why the University's honorary degree recipients are often less well known than those at other schools.