WATCH: Hundreds Graduate At Clark Atlanta University Commencement

ATLANTA, GA -- They came, they saw, they concurred. Hundreds of students graduated Monday morning at Clark Atlanta University's 2017 spring commencement.

CAU bestowed four doctoral degrees during next week's commencement convocation, the school said. The CAU degrees will be Honoris Causa, a Latin term that basically means "on the merits of honor or esteem."

“These four pioneers were selected carefully from the areas of civil and human rights, politics and STEM,” says Ronald A. Johnson, President of Clark Atlanta University. “Their rich legacy is to be honored and celebrated.”

The honorary doctorates went to: William Pickard, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of VITEC and Global Automotive Alliance. Pickard began his business aspirations more than 45 years ago as a McDonald’s franchisee; U.S. Rep. John Conyers (D-Mi), who represents Michigan’s 13th Congressional District. In office since 1965, Conyers is the longest-serving member of the Congress; retired NASA Mathematician Katherine G. Johnson, who made significant contributions to the U.S. space program; and the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr, a civil rights pioneer who has championed worker and human rights through his organization, Operation Push.

Pickard gave the convocation address, telling students that the real world is a lot different from the classroom. He said no matter where you go in life, you can take pride in where you come from. "I'm so proud to be from LaGrange, Georgia. I tell people it's 30 minutes from Atlanta ... by telephone," he said to big laughs. "Big proud that you are from Clark Atlanta University."

While Johnson was not able to be at CAU in person, two of her relatives accepted the degree in her behalf. Students also got to hear a pre-recorded message from Johnson, where she extolled the values of "liking what you do for a living. Try to like it," she said, adding that an enjoyable job will cause you to excel.

Image via Craig Johnson / Patch