President Andrew Sorensen receives University of Queensland doctorate

University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen received an honorary doctorate from the University of Queensland in recognition of his distinguished service to higher education and for fostering research and teaching between that institution and the University of South Carolina.

The honorary degree -- Doctor of the University -- presented Wednesday July 16, recognizes Sorensen for forging links with the University of Queensland in fields such as hydrogen-fuel technology and parenting and family research.

Sorensen is an author and editor of eight books and more than 100 articles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in ethics and master’s and doctoral degrees in medical sociology from Yale University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan.

He is past president of the University of Alabama and former provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Florida. Sorensen is past chair of the Southern Universities Research Association Council of Presidents, chair of the Health Sciences South Carolina board and former executive director of the AIDS Institute at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. He is president of the Southeastern Conference.

“I am deeply honored to receive this degree from the University of Queensland,” Sorensen said. “It has special significance for me, given the collaboration between South Carolina and Queensland, as well as the special relationship between the University of Queensland and the University of South Carolina.”

“I am particularly gratified that Queensland and the state of South Carolina have funded joint research initiatives that not only will strengthen collaborations between the two universities but also have the potential to impact society.”

This is the third honorary doctorate this year for Sorensen. Earlier this spring, he was awarded honorary doctorates from the Medical University of South Carolina and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sorensen will retire July 31 from his position as the 27th president of the University of South Carolina, a post he has held for six years.