Detroit, Jack White is all smiles while he's addressing the graduates of Wayne State University after receiving his honorary doctorate in humane letters for

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Detroit, Jack White is all smiles as he listens to Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University, before White receives his honorary doctorate in humane letters.

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Retailer Jack White Receives Honourary Doctor of Humane Letters at Wayne State University Graduation Ceremonies

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Detroit, Jack White is all smiles after receiving his honorary doctorate in humane letters for

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Speech by Jack White in Detroit, a graduate of Wayne State University, after receiving his honorary doctorate in Humanities for

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Speech by Jack White in Detroit, a graduate of Wayne State University, after receiving his honorary doctorate in Humanities for

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Wayne State University graduates are on stage at the Fox Theater for the graduation ceremony that begins at the Detroit Downtown Theater on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University, is at the center of attention during the national anthem at the graduation ceremonies at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday. May 2019.

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Roy Wilson, President of Wayne State University, decided to take a selfie in front of the graduates before continuing his conversation at the graduation ceremony at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019 .

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Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University, awards graduates at ceremonies held at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Graduates of Wayne State University can not resist the excitement after graduation at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Rhea Lyn Juridico, 27, proudly demonstrates her Master of Arts and Communication degree while crossing the state at the Fox Theater at the graduation ceremonies of Wayne State University at the Detroit Downtown Theater on Friday 3 May 2019.

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(From left to right) Dahlia Dabaja, Batul Chami's cousin, a Wayne State University graduate, stands next to Chami's sister Zeinab Ashkar, alongside Batoul Chami and her mother, Zobeida Chamomile, after graduation ceremonies at Wayne State University at Fox Theater. Downtown Detroit on Friday May 3rd, 2019. Chami earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations.

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Wayne State University graduates rise to prominence at ceremonies held at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Wayne State University graduates are photographed by official photographer Jay Dunbar at the graduation ceremony at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Wayne State University graduates are photographed by official photographer Jay Dunbar at the graduation ceremony at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Intisar Fawaz, 22, is having fun with her graduation cap as her sister Naveen Fawaz photographs her with her iPhone in front of the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019. Fawaz had just graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology.

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Members of the Sobh Family Gather for a Selfie to Celebrate Graduation at Wayne State University of Diba Sobh, 21, who now holds a Bachelor of Political Science degree she received at graduation ceremonies at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit. Friday, May 3, 2019.

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Detroit 60-year-old Franzetta Rocker is being photographed by a friend and her husband, Larry Rocker. She had just graduated from the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit, Wayne State University, on Friday, May 3, 2019, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

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One of the many mortars decorated before the graduation ceremonies at Wayne State University was scheduled to begin at the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019.

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C & # 39; Dr. Jack White.

Wearing a cap and dress for the first time in his life, wearing green and gold from Wayne State University, the Detroit rock musician received an honorary degree at A ceremony held on Friday at the Fox Theater.

"Teenager, I was busboy in this building, so it 's nice to be back for a different reason," White said in a brief speech after being saw entrusting his doctor in letters with humanity by Kim Trent, governor to the board of the WSU. .

White pointed out that he had not even bothered to buy a graduation outfit for his start at Cass Tech High School in the early 90s.

"I did not think the hat and the dress were worth the money at the time," he said. "But I like what it looks like now."

Watch Jack White receive his honorary doctorate from Wayne State

(You can scroll back a few minutes to see the full introduction of Jack White by Wayne State President, Roy Wilson.)

The brain of White Stripes, founder of Third Man Records and prolific musician, received a doctorate in human letters for "your dedication to the city of Detroit and your important contribution to the arts," said WSU President Roy Wilson, in introduction.

Wilson cited some of White's philanthropic works, including the restoration of Clark Park in Rocker's native neighborhood, southwest of Detroit, and the $ 142,000 donation that saved the Masonic Temple from tax seizure.

The Whites briefly attended Wayne State in 1994, paying a few cinema classes and sneaking between them because "I needed to learn more".

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Detroit White, Jack White, is all smiles as he listens to Roy Wilson, president of Wayne State University, before White receives his honorary doctorate in human letters for "his dedication to Detroit and his significant contribution to the arts" at Fox Theater, in the city center. Detroit on Friday, May 3, 2019. (Photo: Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press)

He cited an inspiring viewing of "The Graduate" from 1967 during one of these sessions, and more particularly from his opening scene.

"I learned more from this scene in" The Graduate "about the expression and reason for being in my life," White said.

The Friday morning Fox ceremony, aimed primarily at students of the school's visual art programs, was one of five WSU launch events this week.

More: Jack White will receive an honorary degree from Wayne State University

Contact Detroit Free Press Music Editor Brian McCollum at 313-223-4450 or [email protected].

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