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NIU Trustees Unanimously Rescind Dennis Hastert's Honorary Degree

The Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to rescind Dennis Hastert's honorary degree from the school. The Board met Thursday afternoon to discuss the matter during a special meeting.

President Doug Baker during Thursday's board meeting.

    

Hastert received an honorary law doctoral degree in 1999. Earlier this month, the university announced a move by a committee to revoke the award. 

The committee said in a memo to President Doug Baker that Hastert’s recent felony conviction and sexual abuse testimony “do not reflect the values of the institution.”

Other figures who have received honorary degrees at NIU include interfaith activist Eboo Patel, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, and the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon.

  • WNIJ's Jenna Dooley, Jessie Schlacks and Katie Finlon contributed to this report.

Copyright 2016 WNIJ Northern Public Radio

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