2008 Honorary Doctorate Recipients

Eli Amir

Well-loved author, social commentator and public figure, Eli Amir came to Israel from Iraq as a teenager in 1950. He gained his degree in Arabic Language and Literature and Middle Eastern History from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. An outspoken writer whose novels movingly describe the immigrant experience, Amir is studied by tens of thousands of high school students every year. He has served in a range of public roles relating to immigration, absorption and education, including Director-General of the Jewish Agency’s Youth Aliyah Division and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Arab Affairs in East Jerusalem. Among other honors, Amir received the Yigal Allon Award for his endeavors on behalf of Israeli society, and honorary degrees from the Weizmann Institute of Science and Ben Gurion University.

Santiago Calatrava

The works of architect, artist, sculptor and engineer Dr. Santiago Calatrava can be seen throughout the world. Born in Valencia, ] Spain, Dr. Calatrava earned his architecture degree at the Superior Technical School of Architecture in Valencia, and both his civil engineering degree and technical science PhD at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Among his most notable creations are the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, the expansion of the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York which is still under construction. He has received honorary degrees from 14 universities, as well as numerous honors and accolades including the designation by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Lester Crown

Businessman and philanthropist Lester Crown became the President of family business Henry Crown & Co. in 1969, until his son succeeded him in 2002, while he remained Chairman. Crown earned his degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University in 1946 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1949. He was formerly President of Marblehead Lime Co., Royal Crown RC Cola and General Dynamics and director of Continental Illinois bank, Trans World Airlines, Maytag, and Esmark. Besides his many career ventures, Crown supports many Jewish and Israeli causes. He served as director for the Jerusalem Foundation and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Mary-Claire King