Subsequently, he spoke out in opposition to the court ruling in Hopwood vs. the University of Texas, a case that originally challenged the quota system employed by the University of Texas law school and ended in a ban on all affirmative action in three states. He also organized a statement on diversity signed by members of the Association of American Universities and published in The New York Times last April.

Leaders of the fund praised this work and said they hoped it would inspire other university presidents.

"He's being honored because he's been so honest, sensible and forthright on the issue of affirmative action, it's as simple as that," said Willie J. Washington, chair of the New England Committee of the fund.

In his remarks, Rudenstine touched on his personal history with diversity and education. He argued that the affects of affirmative action are slow, so these policies must be preserved.

He said both sides of his family were emigrants just a half century ago, and to date, only half have attended college. "No one has excluded them. It just took that long to happen," he said.

Other Harvard dignitaries at the event included: Cornel R. West '74, professor of Afro-American studies; Deval L. Patrick '78, who served in the Justice Department during President Clinton's first term; Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, professor of Afro-American studies; and Angelica Z. Rudenstine, the President's wife.

NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund uses America's legal system to correct injustices and brings lawsuits on issues of civil rights and racial discrimination.

Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III said the event reminded him of another he attended in 1958 when he first came to Harvard. That year, then-president Nathan M. Pusey '28 was honored for his support of the National Negro College Fund.

"I'm pleased that the presidents of Harvard are a part of this important issue," Epps said. "I'm here to be part of congratulating [Rudenstine] on these efforts."