NEOMED confers honorary degree on benefactor

ROOTSTOWN — Northeast Ohio Medical University presented Eleanor I. Watanakunakorn with an honorary degree this month as part of commencement honoring 186 new pharmacists, physicians and public-health professionals.

Watanakunakorn’s honorary degree marks her extraordinary commitment to the current and future success of the university.

“Eleanor Watanakunakorn has served as a leader and example to the Northeast Ohio community through her selfless passion for helping others and her philanthropic investment in the region.” said Jay A. Gershen, president of NEOMED. “It is an honor and a privilege to award the honorary degree, doctor of science Honoris Causa, to her on a day where we celebrate the achievements of our graduates, who were all touched in some way by the Watanakunakorn family and their commitment to the NEOMED community.”

In 2003, Watanakunakorn made the largest-single contribution to NEOMED in the university’s history in an effort to advance medical education and curriculum transformation by endowing a chair in microbiology and immunology while also establishing a lectureship in honor of her husband for students and health care professionals throughout the region.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com