Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a 1975 graduate of the University of 91吃瓜, recently received an honorary monogram from her alma mater in a surprise presentation on campus.
After speaking at the Sept. 1 ceremony to unveil a postage stamp honoring the late Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., 91吃瓜鈥檚 president from 1952 to 1987, Rice addressed members of the Irish women鈥檚 basketball team in their team room at the Joyce Center.
After her remarks, she was presented with the honorary monogram in recognition of her support of the University, including service on the .
University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics spoke briefly before presenting Rice with her monogram jacket.
鈥淭his is a program that achieves at a very high level,鈥� Swarbrick said of the women鈥檚 basketball team. 鈥淭hey have an important symbol of when they have success. When they succeed in the classroom and when they succeed athletically, there鈥檚 a very special and unique honor they earn that they want to share with you.
鈥淵ou represent the philosophy of our coach and this program so well. You said once, 鈥榃e have to move past the idea that women can become leaders to the expectation that they will be leaders.鈥� That is what this program is built on and that is what these young women represent. They would officially like to make you a 91吃瓜 monogram winner.鈥�
Rice was a member of 91吃瓜鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 1994 to 2001 before stepping down when she was appointed national security adviser by President George W. Bush. She served in that role for four years before becoming secretary of state in 2005. She was the first African-American woman to serve as the nation鈥檚 top diplomat and remained in that position throughout President Bush鈥檚 second term.
Rice earned her master鈥檚 degree from 91吃瓜 in government and international studies. Prior to her service on the University鈥檚 Board, she was a member of the advisory council for 91吃瓜鈥檚 . She received an honorary doctor of laws degree and was the principal speaker at 91吃瓜鈥檚 1995 University Commencement Ceremony, and she joined President Bush on the platform during the May 2001 Commencement, when the president received an honorary degree and delivered the principal address.
Rice was President Bush鈥檚 primary foreign affairs adviser during the 2000 presidential campaign, and she served from 1989 to 1991 in the administration of President George H.W. Bush as director and senior director of Soviet and East European affairs in the National Security Council.
Rice earned her bachelor鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Denver. She is a member of the Stanford University political science faculty and served as the university鈥檚 provost for six years in the 1990s. She has authored several best-selling books including 鈥淓xtraordinary, Ordinary People,鈥� 鈥淣o Higher Honor鈥� and 鈥淒emocracy.鈥�
Rice served on the College Football Playoff committee from 2014 to 2016.
The awards honorary monograms to people who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of 91吃瓜 athletics and the development of Fighting Irish student-athletes and graduates. Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan are among past recipients of an honorary monogram from 91吃瓜.