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2010 Honorary degree recipients awarded for contributions to New Orleans
Commencement speaker/honorary degree recipient Drew Brees and honorary degree recipients Clyde Kerr, Jr., and R. King Milling
Loyola awarded honorary degrees to Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV MVP; R. King Milling, longtime New Orleans environmental and civic leader; and Clyde Kerr, Jr., trumpeter and music mentor to countless young New Orleans musicians, during its 2010 Unified Commencement. Drew Brees, who also delivered the commencement address, led a dominating performance against the Indianapolis Colts on February 7, resulting in the New Orleans Saints’ first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The quarterback dedicated the win to the city of New Orleans, his adopted home since 2006. Since his arrival in New Orleans, Brees has played a fundamental role in efforts to rebuild the city, dedicating his time to fundraising as well as hands-on work. He and his wife, Brittany, are active philanthropists, establishing the Brees Dream Foundation in 2003 with a mission to advance cancer research and provide care, education, and other opportunities for children. Clyde Kerr, Jr., as one of New Orleans’ highest caliber musicians, has played with some of the world’s most notable artists, ranging from the
Summer 2010 www.loyno.edu
Jackson 5 and Aretha Franklin to Tony Bennett and the Neville Brothers. Kerr has been a longtime fixture in the city as a teacher, and has dedicated himself to passing along his skills to countless young musicians, most of whom are underserved. He taught at Loyola, Xavier University of Louisiana, and, for 16 years, at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts. Kerr is now retired, but his first solo album, This Is Now! - The St. Agnes Sessions, was released in November 2009. R. King Milling is the former president of Whitney National Bank and Whitney Holding Corporation in New Orleans, where he served for almost 25 years. He retired in 2008, but he still serves on the Board of Directors for both organizations as he has done since 1977. Milling has worked to save Louisiana’s wetlands and restore the coastline, as well as performed decades of work with many other causes. In 2009, Milling’s civic work earned him The Times-Picayune’s Loving Cup, awarded to those people who have worked unselfishly for the community without expectation of public recognition or material award.
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