Smith College apparently awarded Evelyn Harris an honorary degree because she is a positive force in our community (which she most certainly is). They didn’t give her an award for speechifying or writing essays. Evelyn is a singer of note and a tireless and dedicated music professional. It seems perverse to me, that Smith now accepts withdrawal of this honor after their own bungled editing of her speech. Nothing in what she did with her speech changes the good she has done with her own art. Smith would do well to restore the honorary degree.
Jim Armenti
Westhampton