Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft, who left Harvard College in 1975 without a degree, will get an honorary Harvard degree when he delivers the school’s main commencement speech on June 7.

“I am very pleased that the Harvard community will have the opportunity to hear from Bill Gates on June 7,” Harvard Alumni Association president Paul Finnegan said in a statement. “His contributions to the world of business and technology, and the great example he has set through his far-reaching philanthropy, will rightfully put him on centre stage in Harvard Yard.”

Gates arrived at Harvard as a freshman in 1973 and while there got to know Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, who lived just down the hall. Gates had already discovered his interest in software, having programmed computers since the age of 13. While at Harvard, Gates helped develop a version of the programming language BASIC for the first microcomputer, the MITS Altair.

He dropped out to found Microsoft and helped turn the company into the world’s largest maker of computer software, with annual revenues in excess of $44 billion during the 2006 fiscal year. He was the company’s chief executive until 2000 and still serves as chairman.

I am a lover of education but I do wonder what the value is of a honorary Harvard degree to Gates. He is the world’s wealthiest man after all.

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Entry was posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 at 2:53 pm under Microsoft, Technology.

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