Joe Walsh will receive an honorary doctor of music degree on December 15 at Kent State University's commencement ceremony. University Trustees approved the honorary degree for Walsh to recognize his contributions to rock and roll as an accomplished musician, songwriter and recording artist, and for his personal commitment to humanity. Additionally, Walsh is the only United States presidential candidate (1980 as an independent) ever to have attended KSU.
The Trustees noted that it was as a student at KSU in 1965-67 that Walsh first picked up an electric guitar and kicked off his lifelong career in music. Walsh has long admitted that KSU provided the foundation for his creativity and imagination.
