College dropout Gates to get degree
Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates is finally getting his Harvard degree - 32 years after he dropped out of the university on his path to becoming the world's wealthiest person.
Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, will receive an honorary degree in June when he delivers the university's 356th commencement address in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Gates is considered a member of Harvard's Class of 1977, which celebrates its 30th reunion this year. He first attended the university in 1973, but left in 1975 to devote his time to developing Microsoft, which he founded that year with childhood friend Paul Allen.
"I am very pleased that the Harvard community will have the opportunity to hear from Bill Gates on June 7," Harvard Alumni Association president Paul Finnegan said in a statement.
"His contributions to the world of business and technology, and the great example he has set through his far-reaching philanthropy, will rightfully put him on centre stage in Harvard Yard."
Gates helped turn Washington-based Microsoft into the world's largest maker of computer software, with annual revenues in excess of $44bn (€32.9bn) during the 2006 fiscal year.
He was the company's chief executive until 2000 and still serves as chairman.
