http://www.treesandthings.com/story/2007/7/22/20541/3945 The practice of institutions of higher learning passing out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_doctorate">honorary doctorates</a> at commencement started in the late 1470s. Since then, it has sparked debate on whether the <a href="http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.1563843.0.0.php">unearned degrees cheapen the hard work of university students</a>. en-us Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:53:07 EST string http://www.treesandthings.com/search/