Beacon College will confer an honorary doctorate on national disability advocate Dr. Temple Grandin at its commencement exercises on May 6.
A distinguished scientist and author, Grandin notably transformed the design of livestock facilities helping to eliminate pain and fear from the slaughtering process. Diagnosed with autism at a young age, her parents fought doctors’ advice to place her in an institution and instead enrolled her in private school education, nurturing her IQ. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce College, and then continued her education with a master’s degree and a doctorate in animal science from Arizona State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, respectively.
“We are privileged to celebrate the profound influence of Dr. Grandin with an honorary doctorate of humane letters,” said Beacon President George J. Hagerty. “Her contributions on behalf of people with autism have been truly transformational. The scope and impact of her life and work can only be characterized as extraordinary.”
Grandin has authored more than 400 scientific journals on livestock practices and over 25 books on autism. Today she teaches courses on livestock behavior and facility design at Colorado State University and consults with the livestock industry on facility design, livestock handling, and animal welfare. Her awards and distinctions include inductions into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, being named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World,” the Difference Maker Award from the PBS TV show “A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity,” and an award-winning 2010 HBO biopic, “Temple Grandin,” starring Claire Danes.
Honorary degrees are awarded by the Board of Trustees of Beacon College and will be conferred by the college president during Commencement Exercises at the Brownwood Hotel & Spa in The Villages starting at 11 a.m. This year, the college will award 93 bachelor’s degrees and 23 associate’s degrees.
Founded in 1989, Beacon College is the first accredited baccalaureate institution dedicated to educating primarily students with learning disabilities, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Recognized nationally as a preeminent institution for accommodating and preparing students who learn differently to prosper in a global economy, Beacon College provides a forward-thinking environment with multiple degree programs and specialized support services for neurodivergent students.
