Siena College to Award Honorary Degree to Derek Jeter
Siena Sports Information
Siena will recognize legendary New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter
with an honorary degree during the College's 2012 Commencement ceremony
on Sunday, May 13.
The Yankees Captain will become a member of Siena's Class of 2012
when he receives a Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of
his leadership, accomplishments on the baseball field and dedication to
improving the lives of young people through his Turn 2 Foundation. This
is Derek Jeter's first honorary degree.
Siena College President Fr. Kevin Mullen'75, O.F.M., Ph.D., Vice
President for Academic Affairs Linda Richardson, Ph.D. and Director of
Athletics John D'Argenio will be available for comment this afternoon at
3 p.m. on the Siena College baseball field.
"We all know that Derek Jeter is a tremendous athlete, but this
is an opportunity for the Siena community to honor and share in his
commitment to young men and women," said Vice President for Academic
Affairs Linda Richardson, Ph.D. "Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation encourages
our youth to remain in school and to stay healthy. Siena will support
our joint mission of academic excellence by providing two full grants to
academically-qualified students who have participated in one of the
many Turn 2 Foundation Signature Programs."
While Jeter and the Yankees will be in action against the Seattle
Mariners on graduation day, his presence will be felt during the
Commencement ceremony through a personalized video message that will be
played on the video board in the Times Union Center. His sister, Sharlee
Jeter, President of the Turn 2 Foundation, will accept the honorary
degree on his behalf.
"To be awarded an honorary degree is a very humbling experience
for me. I am proud to have a great institution, Siena College, recognize
me for what I've accomplished on and off the field," said Derek Jeter.
"The partnership between Siena and my Turn 2 Foundation is a testament
that what I have done off the field to encourage young people to pursue
their educational dreams is worthwhile. I will cherish this degree as
highly as any honor I have received or will receive over the years."
Derek Jeter established the Turn 2 Foundation to promote healthy
lifestyles among children and teenagers. The Foundation was created
with the goal of motivating young people to "turn to" healthy lifestyles
and "turn away" from drugs and alcohol. Since its inception in 1996,
during Jeter's rookie season, the Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more
than $16 million in grants to create and support signature programs and
activities that motivate young people to choose healthy lifestyles.
Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets for
children to achieve academic excellence, develop leadership skills and
remain drug and alcohol free.
Jeter is a life-long Yankees fan who was born in New Jersey and
grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. When he started playing high school
baseball, his talents helped him earn a spot on the Kalamazoo Central
varsity team as a freshman. Jeter also spent three years playing varsity
basketball. Jeter was a close friend of Siena College alumnus Geoff
Walker '97. While they were high school rivals, Jeter and Walker were
teammates on their city's AAU basketball team. Walker remains close with
the entire Jeter family.
"We grew up in a family-centric community. Our families expressed
the importance of being positive young men in our respective
communities. We were students first and athletes second," Walker said.
"I remember when Derek was drafted. I had already committed to playing
basketball at Siena. I called his house, said congratulations and
specifically said, 'Hey man, hurry up and get to the bigs.' At 17 years
old, I didn't know he'd get there at such a lightning pace and have such
a successful career."
Walker is now Vice President of US Wholesale Sales for Tarina
Tarantino Designs, an American accessories and lifestyle brand
headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Walker also founded
Brand2Gether, LLC, a consulting company that works with non-profit
organizations, including Siena College and the Turn 2 Foundation, to
mentor students and support families concerned with improving the
physical and mental health of young people.
"We know all about Derek's on-field successes, but his legacy
will have its greatest impact through students in the Turn 2
Foundation," Walker said. "Siena College values educating young adults
in an environment that supports future leaders. Derek and his family
also place high importance on education and nurturing the health and
well being of our youth. The core characteristics of the "Jeter's
Leaders" Program are rooted in what the Franciscan Tradition stands for.
These students will be a valuable addition to not only Siena College,
but to the entire Capital Region community. I'm very excited to see them
flourish at Siena."
Along with honoring Jeter with a degree, Siena College has
developed a scholarship program with the Turn 2 Foundation's "Jeter's
Leaders" Program. "Jeter's Leaders" is a youth leadership program
designed to empower, recognize and enhance the skills of high school
students who promote healthy lifestyles, achieve academically and are
committed to improving their community through social change activism.
The "Jeter's Leaders" Program identifies youth who succeed
academically and possess leadership characteristics in an effort to
ensure that they receive the necessary experiences and trainings to
serve as ambassadors for Derek Jeter in their communities, in addition
to ensuring that they successfully finish high school and attend
college. Throughout the year, "Jeter's Leaders" are involved in projects
that offer opportunities for them to learn more about themselves and
their communities. They are expected to model positive behavior and
deliver positive messages to their peers and younger students in Turn 2
programs focusing on staying in school, remaining drug and alcohol free
and giving back to the community.
Derek Jeter is a 12-time All-Star and a five-time World Series
champion. He is the only player to earn MVP honors in both the All-Star
Game and World Series in the same year (2000). Jeter has won five Gold
Glove Awards and four Silver Slugger Awards. He was also named American
League Rookie of the Year in 1996. Last season, Jeter cemented his
legacy as one of professional baseball's all-time greats when he became
the first New York Yankee and just the 23rd player in the history of
Major League Baseball to join the 3,000-hit club.
For more information on Siena College commencement including information on other honorary degree recipients, visit
www.siena.edu/commencement