AP photo / Michael Dwyer
Actor and director Ben Affleck celebrates after receiving an honorary degree at Brown University's commencement in Providence Sunday
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Prompted by a throng of Brown University 2013 graduates chanting "Speech," actor and philanthropist Ben Affleck revealed he never received a college diploma before Sunday's honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree."This is a spectacular honor for me," said the Boston native while also stating it was great day for his mother, who was in the audience. "Not only for the education [notch], but now I surpass Matt Damon."
Yet the best of the day might belong to Eve Gail Hoffman, who was chosen to walk to the podium and represent the Doctor of Medicine degree recipients. After shaking hands with university President Christina Paxson, she doubled-back to get a hug from Affleck.
"You only get to become a doctor once, so I knew he wouldn't turn me down," said Hoffman, a Washington, D.C., native. Both of them [her degree and her Affleck embrace] combined makes it the best day of my life."
The university awarded a total of 2,419 degrees, including 1,554 to undergraduates at its 245th ceremony, a three-day event.