Call Her 'Dr. Dolly': Parton Get Her Ph.D.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Award-winning entertainer, businesswoman and education advocate Dolly Parton has a new title.

"Just think, I am Dr. Dolly!" she said Friday after receiving an honorary doctorate of humane and musical letters from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Always joking about her buxom figure, she added, "So when people say something about 'Double-D,' they will be thinking of something entirely different."

The audience of 1,069 new graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences roared with laughter and gave Parton a standing ovation.

Parton, a Tennessee native who is the fourth of 12 children from a poor Appalachian family, is well-known for her philanthropic work. Her Imagination Library sends a book to about 500,000 children each month from birth until they start school.

Comments

[wilymx]

While I believe Dolly Parton is a wonderful person and should be recognized at the level of an honorary degree, SHE DID NOT GET A PH.D! This very much cheapens the amount of work that goes into this RESEARCH DEGREE, and the people who are legitimately awarded it. Parton received an honorary doctor of letters and music degree (D.M or DHLL), whatever combination of letters they use, but there is no Ph.D. in there anywhere.

[Vinca]

Lou Dobbs, played that clip of Dolly Parton, talking about, double D's. I'm glad she was honored.

[Cogs]

Dolly is a very smart businesswoman. She came to the rescue of Porter Wagonner when her former singing partner was facing major financial troubles.

[PhillyQuaker]

Sweet ole video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPD-4HZtahM

[Seven7s]

She actually deserves this. She handles her own business and does her own deals. Congrats

[bensisco]

I’m normally not a fan of honorary degrees since typically they are given as a “thank you” for large donations, helping a university raise money, or in some other way doing something that benefits the university. I know of a number of entertainers who have several of them and can barely complete a sentence. But in Ms. Parton’s case it’s well deserved.

[FabulousAt52]

bensisco,
I feel exactly the same way about honorary degrees. I think they (most often) cheapen the value of the degrees "ordinary" people spent YEARS of hard work and sometimes a hundred thousand dollars in student loan Debt, trying to attain. However, Ms. Parton sincerely deserves this one...

[loki]

well, at least she didnt buy it like that really bad comedian from SNL did.

[mlaiuppa]

I'm disappointed.

It's an honorary degree.

I had hoped she had earned it the old fashioned way...through courses of study.

[Bulbul]

I agree....

[babyboomerorig]

I think it's great that she's been acknowledged by the university for her work over the years. Many have died and never had an honor even close to this.

[madisonhack]

Oh, give it a rest! She has accomplished more in her life than lots of people who did the "courses of study" for which you hold in such high regard...such as Dr. John Yoo, for example.

[GranE]

There's more than one old fashioned way, one of them is called Life. She has put more than 38+ years into her job, every day. That's way more than some people do who retire with beni's from a company. She has always given back, even when she was young she did benefit concerts to help people. She provides a rail car of books to underpriviled children. Can we all say the same? She more than deserves any credit she gets.

Congrats Dr. Dolly!

[greendream]

She's a lo of fun and very talented...and unspoiled. I wish that all the rich and famous would take a page out of her book.

[MightyMeno]

Dolly is one hundred percent original! She is incredibly smart, and hilarious, too. I read a great quote from her, talking about why she always wears make-up. "When I catch sight of myself in the mirror, I say: 'Who is that hag? I don't care to know her!'"

[madisonhack]

My favorite one is "it costs a lot to look this cheap".

[tierone]

Good grief!

What has she done to her face!

Did she pump collagen into her lips?

It's sorta freaky looking.

[ignorantwillyharper]

You can just slice, dice and cut so much and then one day you wake up and you're looking at Joan Rivers in the mirror.

[elr50]

Dolly is a doll, but after all it IS Tennessee and it is an honorary degree.

[mi]

Dolly is one smart, sassy, and talented lady.
Congrats!

[Mathend99]

My favorite quotes form my favorite gal:
"I modeled my looks on the town tramp"
"I wanted to be the first woman to burn her bra, but it would have taken the fire department four days to put it out"
"It's a good thing I was born a girl, otherwise I'd be a drag queen"
Dr. Dolly, indeed!

[mezaway]

This woman restored my faith in 'good people'. All hail the Doctor! She is IN. :D