U.S. Navy SEAL Eric Greitens, CEO of The Mission Continues delivers the commencement address at Tufts University's 156th Commencement on Sunday, May 20, 2012. ~Photo by Alonso Nichols/Tufts University

3,360 Tufts graduates receive degrees
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Eric Greitens, humanitarian, award-winning author, and decorated Navy SEAL officer, delivered Tufts University’s commencement address on Sunday, May 20, and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Other honorary degree recipients included:

Lawrence S. Bacow, president emeritus of Tufts University; president-in-residence in the higher education program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education; innovator in education recognized for advocating broad-based access to higher education, need-based financial aid, and increased civic engagement among universities world-wide; honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Graduating seniors line up prior to Tufts University's 156th Commencement on May 20, 2012. ~ Photo by Kelvin Ma/Tufts University

Bonnie Bassler, Squibb Professor and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University; her discoveries about quorum sensing, the process by which single-cell bacteria communicate with each other, launched a revolution in biological and medical research; honorary doctorate of science.

Cecilia Ibeabuchi, nurse manager of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program clinic at St. Francis House, which provides the poor and homeless with vital services to enable them to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives; tireless worker on behalf of some of Boston’s most vulnerable citizens; honorary doctorate of public service.

Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.; a director and former chair of Refugees International; member of the Council on Foreign Relations; his leadership on behalf of global peace and intercultural understanding has been recognized by the U.S. government’s Outstanding American by Choice award, among other honors; honorary doctorate of public service.