{"id":373011,"date":"2026-10-14T15:53:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/373011\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:53:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:53:25","slug":"former-president-obama-receives-honorary-degree-from-queens-university-belfast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/373011\/","title":{"rendered":"Former President Obama Receives Honorary Degree From Queen\u2019s University Belfast"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former President Barack Obama has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen\u2019s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. In his speech to attendees<\/a> on Tuesday, Obama used the occasion to reflect on Northern Ireland\u2019s peace process and challenge the next generation to protect what has been built. \u201cThe Good Friday Agreement is still a shining example of what can happen when people put aside old wounds and choose peace,\u201d he said. \u201cBut as we have seen in many countries, including in my home country the United States, peace and democracy are not inevitable. They have to be chosen, again and again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TwoQueen’s University Belfast<\/p>\n

Obama receiving the degree from Queen\u2019s University President and Vice-Chancellor Ian Greer.<\/p>\n

The former president previously visited Belfast during his second term in 2013<\/a>. \u201cHis commitment to peace, dialogue and public service has left a lasting impact around the world, and particularly here in Northern Ireland,\u201d Queen\u2019s President and Vice-Chancellor Ian Greer said during the event.<\/p>\n

\"ObamaWPA Pool\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Obama giving a speech in Belfast during his presidency in 2013.<\/p>\n

The ceremony included a citation from Emma McAllister, a first-year law and politics student from North Belfast. McAllister first got involved with the university at age 15 through a cross-community program that brings together young people from Belfast\u2019s Ardoyne and Shankill neighborhoods<\/a>\u2014two historically divided communities\u2014to pursue educational and leadership opportunities. After hearing McAllister speak, Obama praised the school\u2019s outreach initiatives. \u201cThat\u2019s what peace makes possible,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to use this opportunity as an honorary Queen\u2019s graduate to leave you all with a challenge and that is to keep showing the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Queen'sQueen’s University Belfast<\/p>\n

The former U.S. president speaks with Queen\u2019s University Belfast students.<\/p>\n

Former President Obama has previously received honorary degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston in 2006<\/a> and Rutgers University in 2016<\/a>. He earned his bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from Columbia University in 1983 and his law degree, graduating magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1991.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Rachel King (she\/her) is a news writer at\u00a0Town & Country. Before joining\u00a0T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at\u00a0Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in\u00a0Forbes,\u00a0Observer,\u00a0Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and\u00a0Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at\u00a0@rk.passport<\/a>.<\/p>\n