Dinkins, Spektor Among Those Getting Honorary Degrees From Purchase College

PURCHASE, NY - Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and singer-songwriter Regina Spektor are among those who will be receiving honorary degrees from Purchase College at its commencement on Friday.

Dinkins served as the city's 106th mayor from 1989-93 and was the first African American to hold the office. Spektor, a 2001 Purchase graduate, has had songs appear in TV shows such as "Grey’s Anatomy" and "Orange is the New Black," the latter of which uses Grammy nominated "You've Got Time" as its opening theme song.

Honorary degree recipients will also include Holland Cotter, who is co-chief art critic at The New York Times, and Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, who has served in roles including preservationist and civic activist.

Purchase College's commencement is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and will take place at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

More information on the commencement can be found here.

Photos: An image of David Dinkins by Steve Mack, available under Creative Commons and published to Wikimedia. Second, an image of Regina Spektor by Søren Solkær Starbird, available under Creative Commons and published to Wikimedia.