Vanessa Williams To Graduate From College This Weekend

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Nearly 25 years after leaving Syracuse University, Vanessa Williams will get her bachelor of fine arts degree this weekend.

The 45-year-old actress-singer, who stars in ABC's "Ugly Betty," will also deliver the convocation address Saturday to graduates of Syracuse's College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Williams attended Syracuse's drama department as a musical theater major from 1981-1983. She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen.

In 1983, Williams became the first black Miss America. She surrendered the title in July 1984 after Penthouse magazine published nude, sexually explicit photographs of her taken several years earlier.

Over her career, Williams has sold more than 4 million albums, won critical praise for her performances on Broadway, made dozens of TV appearances and starred in several movies.

She has won a Tony, received two NAACP Image Awards and nine Grammy nominations.

In 1996, Williams received the George Arents Pioneer Medal, the university's most prestigious alumni award.

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

http://abc.go.com/primetime/uglybetty/index?pnindex

Comments

[dsmyre]

I remember when they took Vanessa's crown away. I remember the smug look on the face of the runner-up when she was crowned in Vanessa's place. Now Vanessa is a true star. And the runner-up? No one remembers her name.

[Charity]

Grad-ge-atin' Kol-ludge! Love the head line on the front page!

[loki]

Man, I still remember he penthouse spread that got her canned from Ms. America. Those were nice..

[loki]

I think its fantastic. With hundreds of thousands of middle aged Americans being unemployed monthly so greed driven corporations can prosper, many in that same age group have returned to university to obtain or further their degrees. The only problem is that most middle aged people who get degrees, wont have the perks and relationships she has that will get her a great job. Most will have 40 grand in student loans, and working at Target or Wal mart still. Corporate America does not hire people over 40 unless they are friends and fellow CEOs in need of million dollar jobs. Then, you dont even need a degree.

[NewRiver]

Good for her. Even at 45 she's still on my lamination list.

[mediamarv]

Certainly has the cleavage of a college graduate! Even an advanced degree, if you get my meaning.
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

[longnow]

I'm glad it wasn't psychology and I'm glad she didn't say she was in favor
of world peace. She's a healthy, beautiful female.

[Pupster]

I thought the headline was inspiring, until I read the rest of the story:

"She earned the remaining credits for her degree through industry experience and performances on stage and screen."

In other words, she didn't go back to school at all. They just gave her her remaining credits for doing nothing, so that she could get a degree.

I call bullshit. Syracuse University should be ashamed.

[TJS]

That's true... I worked at a college. Older students coming back to school would apply for "life experience" credits. The students would be expected to PAY for the credts as if they had been enrolled in the classes. Essentially, "life experience" is a financial windfall for the college...they collect tuition without having to provide classes or faculty. The college claims it is a processing fee for a faculty member to "evaluate" the life experience credits--all of five minutes to read and sign the form!

No doubt that Vanessa Williams deserves her degree. No doubt, too, that Syracuse made money on the deal.

[mommyatty]

What a great role model. Congrats.

[BDunne]

Amazing!!!

[MajorKong]

What a beauty.

[heretical eggs]

Good for her. Congratulations, Vanessa.

[takingbkourcountry]

She is the ultimate, as others have said. A great singer, actress .A devoted mother, savvy businesswoman, and aging in a proud graceful manner.

[totalliberal]

The most successful and beautiful Miss America ever.. and they took her title away. No wonder they are going broke.. They should change their name to Miss Southern Barby-doll Airhead.

[Ihaveadream]

You go Vanessa! You're a CLASS Act in my book!