Bob Iger Bestowed Honorary Doctorate from Ithaca College
As Bob Iger winds down his time as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, he has been bestowed with numerous honors.
In just the last year, Iger was officially designated Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), received the prestigious Snow White Award, and had Disney’s New York headquarters named in his honor.
Needless to say, it has been a time of reflection and celebration for the head of Disney.
Photo: Disney
Now, Iger can add “doctor” to his list of accomplishments.
A Full-Circle Moment
This weekend, Bob Iger returned to his Alma Mater, Ithaca College, where he received an honorary doctorate.
“It’s nice, it’s a reunion of sorts for me to be able to come back to a school I graduated from 52 years ago,” Iger told ABC 7.
Photo: Deadline
Having attended Ithaca from 1969-1973, it was a full-circle moment for Iger, who used the occasion to reflect back on his journey.
“I definitely dreamed — I wanted to be a news anchor. David Muir is my idol. He went to Ithaca College,” Iger explained.
Photo: villageglobal.vc
Hard Work and Dedication
When Iger attended Ithaca, he wanted to be a news anchor, not a CEO. In fact, while enrolled at the college, he hosted a television show called Campus Probe and studied media.
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Iger eventually graduated magna cum laude in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television and Radio. Even in his wildest dreams, he could not have imagined the career he had.
“You know I’ve tried to think about that a little bit. The whole thing is an odyssey for me, My parents gave me a great gift, which is good work ethic, have had great mentors, many many strokes of good luck,” Iger reflected.
Photo: AFP
“There’s no way I could have predicted this, because when I think back, I’m not entirely sure how it all happened… but I’m grateful, I’ve had a great life, great career.”
Advice For the Next Generation
When Iger was pressed about what advice he would give new graduates, the Disney CEO kept it short and sweet.
Photo: PRNewsFoto/The Walt Disney Co.
“Have dreams and ambitions – if they don’t, create new ones as I did. Don’t give up.”
