Jesse Owens Granted Honorary Doctorate: Black History at Wagner College

Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. 40 years later, Owens was awarded an honorary degree by Wagner College.

Check out these articles from the Wagner College Archives about the event and read the speech given at Convocation by President Satterfield.

"Race," the movie that chronicles Owens' journey to the 1936 Olympics, opens this Friday, February 19th.

Article from Wagnerian 10 December 1976. Jesse Owens with Wagner College President John Satterfield.

Article from Wagnerian 10 December 1976. Jesse Owens with Wagner College President John Satterfield.



Article from Wagner Magazine, January 1977.  Jesse Owens receives plaque from Arthur Williams, student president of Black Concern.

Article from Wagner Magazine, January 1977. Jesse Owens receives plaque from Arthur Williams, student president of Black Concern.



Convocation speech by Wagner College President John Satterfield awarding Jesse Owens honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, 1976.

Convocation speech by Wagner College President John Satterfield awarding Jesse Owens honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, 1976.