The slow wave and the wide smile. The forceful call to arms against global wealth disparities. The humble acceptance of his own award on behalf of his entire country.

South African President Nelson R. Mandela entranced an audience of about 25,000 distinguished guests, students, faculty, staff and community members assembled on Friday afternoon at Harvard's Tercentenary Theatre.

The University bestowed an honorary law degree upon Mandela, and the South African leader honored Harvard both with his presence and with his words in accepting the tribute.

Professors and students in the crowd said they felt part of a historic moment.

DuBois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr., who delivered introductory remarks before Mandela's address, told The Crimson that Friday was "one of the greatest days in [his] life--without a doubt."

Referring to the tremendous turnout and the excitement surrounding the ceremony, Gates added, "This is why I teach here."

In his 30-minute speech, Mandela demonstrated his understanding of the economic problems facing the African continent and his concern for its impoverished people.

Mixing humor with gravitas, Mandela won loud applause for his deferential tone, insisting that he was accepting the honorary degree not for himself but for his entire nation.

Professor of Afro-American Studies and of Philosophy K. Anthony Appiah, noted the uplift and challenge combined in the president's words.

"He was serious," Appiah said. "Not many politicians in the world are saying those things and have his authority."

James T.L. Grimmelmann '99 said he viewed Mandela's speech as a call to the academic world to assist Africa.

"It was not so much a call upon Harvard to do something as an expression of what the role of a community of scholars is in the world," Grimmelmann said. "It is an indication of what we should be doing at Harvard."

Appiah commended Mandela for emphasizing Africa's potential for growth and the need to combat widening wealth disparities worldwide.

"The fact is that so-called Afro-pessimism isn't grounded in solid research," Appiah said.

Jeffrey D. Sachs '76, director of the John F. Kennedy School of Government's new Center for International Development, also noted the role the University can play in improving conditions in Africa.