U of M and School of Nursing Give Maya Angelou an Honorary Degree

Renowned writer Maya Angelou was hooded by Board of Regents chair Patricia Simmons (left) and School of Nursing dean Connie Delaney (right) as Angelou received the University's honorary doctor of humane letters degree October 14, 2007 at the school's Summit of Sages conference.

During her keynote, Dr. Angelou read "A Brave and Startling Truth"; dedicating the reading to the School of Nursing. This poem was written and delivered in honor of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.

We, this people, on a small and lonely planet
Traveling through casual space
Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns
To a destination where all signs tell us
It is possible and imperative that we learn
A brave and startling truth

(Read the complete poem).

Photo by Tony Nelson