College Of New Rochelle To Award Honorary Degree To BET CEO

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The College of New Rochelle announced that it will give honorary degrees to Black Entertainment Television (BET) CEO Debra L. Lee and to Professor Emerita Sister Mary Virginia Orna of the Ursuline Order.

The honorary degrees are in connection with the college's annual commencement, which will be held on Tuesday, May 23 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

"She has redesigned BET's mission statement by supporting families, encouraging their dreams, and presenting fresh talent by creating new shows for the network," the college stated about Lee. "Debra serves on many boards of directors, including Marriott, Revlon, and Twitter. She is an industry icon, committed equally to her work and philanthropic endeavors, both of which have a profound impact on the wider culture."

Orna has a longstanding relationship with the college, which notes that she taught chemistry there from 1966 to 2006. She is also science in residence, the college said.

More information about the commencement can be found here.

Photo caption: Debra L. Lee. Photo credit: Submitted.