Bill Gates received an honorary doctorate from Harvard University in 2007.
Harvard awarded Gates the honorary Doctor of Laws degree during its 2007 commencement ceremonies. The honor came more than three decades after Gates had enrolled at Harvard and left without completing a degree to help build Microsoft.
Gates entered Harvard in 1973 and studied subjects including mathematics and computer science. He left the university in 1975, when Microsoft’s opportunity around the Altair 8800 required his full attention. Although he did not graduate at the time, Harvard later recognized his achievements in technology and philanthropy.
During the same 2007 commencement, Gates delivered the university’s commencement address. The honorary degree is often described as his “Harvard degree,” but it was an honorary doctorate rather than an undergraduate credential earned through completing his original course of study.