 In May 2009 , Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Newark @-@ based New Jersey Institute of Technology for " his outstanding career in public service as the Mayor of Newark " . In May 2009 , he received an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University , and was a commencement speaker that year as well . Booker received another honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in December 2010 from Yeshiva University for " his bold vision for Newark and setting a national standard for urban transformation " . In June 2011 , Booker received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and served as that year 's commencement speaker at Williams College for the urban transformation of Newark . In May 2012 , Booker received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Bard College and gave the commencement speech at the graduation . In 2010 , Booker delivered the commencement addresses at Pitzer College in Claremont , California , on May 15 , Columbia University 's Teachers College in New York City on May 17 , and Suffolk University Law School in Boston , Massachusetts , a week later on May 23 , 2010 . Booker gave the commencement address to New York Law School graduates on May 13 , 2011 , at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center . Booker also gave the commencement address at the University of Rhode Island in May 2011 ; he also received an Honorary doctorate in Human Letters . He delivered a commencement address to Stanford University graduates on June 17 , 2012 , at Stanford Stadium . He also received an honorary degree at Fairleigh Dickinson 's 69th Commencement Ceremony in May 2012 . In May 2013 , Booker gave the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis and received an honorary doctorate of law . On May 16 , 2014 , Booker gave the commencement speech for Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates at the IZOD Center . 
