Bill Gates to Graduate in June

While the Harvard Crimson newspaper is on spring break, CNN and others have scooped them. Bill Gates, perhaps Harvard's most famous "attendee," will now finally get his degree when he speaks at commencement this June.

Thirty years after his intended graduation date (he left after only two years to found Microsoft with Paul Allen, a childhood friend) says CNN, Gates is recognized not only for his business accomplishments and becoming the world's wealthiest man, but as a major philanthropist as well. The Harvard Alumni Association, they report, is looking forward to welcoming him "officially."

A blogger at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer has said what many are thinking - that this will, technically, remove another excuse for not finishing college for thousands of students who have cited Mr. Gates in their arguments. Although Bill Gates is a major donor at Harvard as well, a Harvard spokesman remarked that the university considers many people for honorary degrees each year, and there was no particular reason that this was his year.

Harvard has a reputation for identifying the "best and the brightest" and giving them the means to build on their talents, so it is not surprising that Mr. Gates was able to set forth on his business career a bit early. Harvard graduates are also known for sometimes rising quickly in their careers after graduation, while others chart other career paths. Harvard University's website notes that Bill, born in Seattle, had already taught himself computer programming before he arrived for college, and, with friends, "had already founded several for-profit companies and sold their programming services to a number of clients."