Sir Paul Picks Up Yale Doctorate

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney was awarded an honorary doctorate in music by Yale University yesterday during the 307th commencement at the Ivy League institution. The identities of recipients of honorary degrees are usually a closely guarded secret, but McCartney's presence on the Yale campus was impossible to keep under wraps, reports the Yale Daily News.

"There is no one compares with you," Yale's president, a long-time Beatles fan, told McCartney. "Your songs awakened a generation, giving a fresh sound to rock, roll, rhythm and blues. Here, there and everywhere, you have pushed the boundaries of the familiar to create new classics." (More Paul McCartney stories.)