Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Lynch School John E. Cawthorne Professor of Teacher Education for Urban schools, received the “honoris causa” (honorary doctorate) from the University of Alicante in Alicante, Spain, on Friday, January 27, along with two colleagues, Professor Linda Darling-Hammond (Stanford) and Professor Gloria Ladson-Billings (University of Wisconsin, Madison).  These awards broke new ground at the university, considered one of Spain’s most modern and innovative universities, by recognizing women scholars in the field of education.

Both the Dean of the College of Education, Maria Angeles Martinez, and the President of the university, Ignacio Jiménez Raneda , emphasized the unique international contribution of Professors Cochran-Smith, Darling-Hammond, and Ladson-Billings to the field of education, particularly to teaching and teacher education in relation to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice. The recipients of the honoris causa wore the traditional academic regalia of the university with the green cape symbolizing the field of education. During the ceremony, they were presented with green cap crowns, which signified merit and achievement; gold rings, representing the union of scholars with the university and with science; white gloves, for strength and high dignity; and copies of “the book of science,” representing the wisdom of science.

Following the awarding of these symbols, each of the three recipients addressed the audience.  As part of her prepared remarks, Professor Cochran-Smith said:

“I am very proud to be here today for this special event, but I am also humbled by the great tribute of being awarded an honorary doctorate at this university. On behalf of myself and my husband, Professor Larry Ludlow, who is here with me today to celebrate this occasion, I want to thank the university and particularly the dean and faculty of the College of Education, for bestowing this honor and for so graciously hosting us here is this lovely place. As we understand, this is the first time that women scholars in the field of education have received the honorary doctorate at the University of Alicante, which makes this occasion all the more momentous. I am proud to share this recognition with my colleagues and fellow honorees.”

In her presentation, Professor Cochran-Smith focused on the importance of the work of teaching and the enormous expectations we have for teachers in the 21^st century.  She concluded:

“As we work on improving teacher quality in order to supply the labor force and meet the economic demands of the knowledge society in the 21^st century, we must not forget that this is not the only, and perhaps not even the most important, goal of education,” she said. We must also work on preparing future citizens to participate in democratic societies. We must focus on developing in all students the knowledge they need to deliberate, disagree, and to challenge the current structures of schools and society that perpetuate inequities.”

The awarding of the honoris causa was covered in the local Alicante newspaper as well as in “El Pais,” Spain’s national newspaper.