UF To Give Honorary Degree To Former General H. Norman Schwarzkopf

February 26, 1998

GAINESVILLE — Retired U.S. Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf will receive an honorary doctorate in public service from the University of Florida next month.

The university will present the honor during a special academic convocation at the University Auditorium at 1 p.m. March 26. Schwarzkopf, former commander of the allied forces during the Gulf war, then will preside over a 3 p.m. pass-and-review ceremony at Flavet Field for UF ROTC units. He also will present two cadet leadership awards.

“The university is delighted to have the opportunity to recognize Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, not only for his exceptional service to his country but also for his major contribution to the quality of life of Floridians,” said UF President John Lombardi. “His philanthropic work on behalf of so many people and organizations in Florida sets a standard of excellence worthy of significant recognition, and our faculty committee was pleased to recommend his candidacy for this honorary degree.”

Before retiring from the Army in 1991, Schwarzkopf had a distinguished career of service that included two Vietnam combat tours and assignments throughout the world.

He was deputy commander of the Joint Task Force in charge of U.S. forces that participated in the Grenada student-rescue operation. He later was named commander in chief of the U.S. Central Command and became a household name as commander of the allied forces during the effort to combat Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990-91.

Since retiring from the military, Schwarzkopf published a best-selling autobiography “It Doesn’t Take A Hero” and became a tireless lecturer and volunteer.

He was one of the founders of the Boggy Creek Gang Camp, a Florida camp for children with chronic illnesses. He is a spokesman and capital campaign chairman for the STARBRIGHT Foundation, an organization that unites the medical, entertainment and technological industries to improve the quality of life for children dealing with illness. Also, he is a spokesman for prostate cancer awareness and several conservation efforts.