There are occasionally happy little things that can happen in life, if you're lucky enough, that create a mixture of emotions. In my particular case it revolves around the award of my second doctorate - but from a rather unusual source.
Having had a remarkably undistinguished academic career, where the highlight - at least from the school's point of view - was undoubtedly my departure from the academy at the age of 16, I was somewhat flattered a few years ago to be conferred a Doctor of Business Administration by the City University of Hong Kong. Not bad, I thought. A school leaver who did not actually progress as far as the sixth form (12th grade in US terms) and now able to call myself Dr. Eldon which, by the way, I have never done.
I was kindly invited recently by a University to provide the closing remarks to a group of graduating Executive MBA students. In the instructions for the ceremony I was requested to join the academic procession, and to wear for the occasion the robes indicating the highest level of degree I had earned. Ah, that would be a problem I said to them, as my highest level of academic attainment - one Ordinary Level (for which read GCSE) pass in English Literature, was obtained while being dressed in the soldiers uniform of my military school. And trying to get into those trousers some 50 years later would not have created a pretty sight! But, they said - you do have an Honorary Degree, so you must have academic robes! Yes, indeed.
As I subsequently mentioned in my remarks to the graduates on that occasion, whilst I recognise the great honour bestowed on me by the awarding university with gratitude and pride - it was the word "earned' used in the joining instructions, which was the one that had caught my eye.
I would not wish by these few words to belittle the recognition bestowed on anyone by a University for achievements - perceived or otherwise - but I do see a difference in the awarding of a degree that has been earned through a process of academic learning, much diligence and intellect, and one awarded in recognition of attaining a particular professional status or having provided particular assistance or guidance to an institution or academy. Pedantic? Perhaps - but it's just me, and I wore a suit to the graduation ceremony.
In a slightly different, but related vein, I am afraid that I treat the acquisition of "titles", which are often of no significance seeing as you can buy them, in rather the same way. A "Lord of the Manor" is not a designation of nobility - no matter what some people in Hong Kong, it seems, would like to believe.
However, I digress.
My latest doctorate, which I am truly honoured to have received, has been bestowed with a degree of bewilderment, embarrassment and yes okay, enjoyment on my part.
I am now a Doctor of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts - and how I secretly wish I had earned it more conventionally. I think it's a pretty poorly kept secret that while banking has provided me with a great life, and I have given a huge amount of time back to it, I would far rather have been a sportsman or an entertainer! But we make our own bed, which we lie in, and I have no regrets at all.
Whilst my greatest singing performances have undoubtedly been in the shower, I am blessed by three musically competent children, one of which is a particularly talented performer - but guys, I've got the Doctorate!!
It seems that my work for the Academy - mainly financially oriented - has deemed me worthy of honour. Somehow, I doubt it - as I think there are many people more deserving than I, but like my earlier doctorate, I shall cherish this one as being recognition for the many wonderful people who have worked with me in the Academy with only the Academy's interests at heart.
Congratulations! =) from Geneva
Posted by: Sungmi | 11 July 2011 at 22:48
Congratulations David!!! Britain's certainly got talent!!!
Posted by: Kevin | 26 June 2011 at 23:39
Congratulations, mi amigo - Dottore! You shouldn't belittle yourself! I can certainly recall a couple of 'performances'in the past,that definately merited some kind of award - why not a Doctrate?!
Posted by: Robert | 26 June 2011 at 21:10
Congratulations Dr Dr,
you have obviously in the eye's of those who saw fit to bestow those doctorates upon you have...earn't them!
Posted by: Greg Murray | 26 June 2011 at 15:05