Word: walesa
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...Harvard had to jump through many hoops to get the invitation in his hands, not notifying government officials or the State Department until after communication with Walesa had occurred...
...time of Harvard’s invitation, Walesa was under house arrest by the Polish communist government. Walesa’s affirmation of the honor was interpreted incorrectly by Harvard as an acceptance, because of the absence of consistent communication with the leader. Confusion continued as sources in Poland reported that Walesa had never stated his intention to leave the country at all that year—not even to receive the Nobel Peace Prize that he was awarded...
...Harvard decided to go ahead with the speech, and so, on Commencement day, while Mexican writer and ambassador Carlos Fuentes was the one to speak in person at the ceremonies, he shared an honorary podium with Walesa, as then-University President Derek C. Bok read excerpts of a text sent by the Polish revolutionary...
...Even in light of his political importance, Walesa did not officially receive an honorary degree from the University...
...aware of the desire to give him this, but I don’t think there was one,” said Brolewicz, who in the past has accepted some of Walesa’s honors for him when he was unable to attend an institution. Many biographies of Walesa, however, do include the anecdote that he was awarded an honorary degree at Harvard’s 1983 Commencement exercises...