Bernard Hopkins and Fran Dunphy to receive honorary degrees

Former world champion boxer Bernard Hopkins and former Temple men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy will receive honorary degrees from Temple University during its 132nd Commencement ceremony. They will receive doctor of humane letters degrees during the May 9 celebration to take place at The Liacouras Center.

Longtime university trustee Leonard Barrack will be presented with an honorary degree, too. The school will give additional honorary degrees at three separate school and college ceremonies: Bob Woodward — Klein College of Media and Communications on May 9; Stanley Merves — Fox School of Business on May 9 and Stephen A. Sheller — Beasley School of Law on May 16.

Temple bestows honorary degrees upon leaders from many backgrounds and fields whose achievements exemplify the university’s ideals and mission. The university has awarded nearly 900 honorary degrees throughout its history.

“We are proud to welcome such distinguished leaders in their field,” said Temple University President Richard M. Englert in a statement. “Their contributions to Temple, North Philadelphia and beyond make these individuals ideal choices to receive honorary degrees. They will undoubtedly serve as inspirations to our many terrific graduates, who are bound for similarly remarkable futures.”

Ex-MLK star Joe Walker going to Chicago Bears camp

Former Martin Luther King football standout Joe Walker, who played for the University of Delaware, has been invited to the Chicago Bears camp. Walker, an undrafted free agent, was one of the Blue Hens’ top athletes the past four years. The former Public League star played quarterback and wide receiver for Delaware.

He is one of only seven Division I players (FCS and FBS) over the past 25 years to have more than 2,000 career passing yards, 1,000 career rushing yards and over 750 career receiving yards.

Don DiJulia to be inducted into NACDA Hall of Fame

Retired Saint Joseph’s University athletic director Don DiJulia will be inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame. DiJulia will be honored on Wednesday, June 12 at NACDA’s 54th annual convention at the Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup Luncheon in Orlando, Florida.

DiJulia completed his Saint Joseph’s career at the end of the 2017-18 academic year, which was his 50th overall in college athletics, and his 35th as the Hawks’ athletic director over a span of two terms. After his retirement as athletic director, DiJulia assumed his current position of special assistant to the president at SJU, serving primarily as an advisor and representative of the university and of the president on campus, to alumni and with many external constituents. DiJulia is a member of the Saint Joseph’s Athletic Hall of Fame, the Big 5 Hall of Fame and the ECAC Hall of Fame.