Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook and a Harvard dropout, will be getting a college degree more than a decade after leaving Harvard.
The founder of social networking giant has been invited by Harvard to speak at 366th Commencement on May 25. Harvard President Drew Faust said,
“Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership has profoundly altered the nature of social engagement worldwide. Few inventions in modern times can rival Facebook in its far-reaching impact on how people around the globe interact with one another. And few individuals can rival Mark Zuckerberg in his drive to change our world through the innovative use of technology, as well as his commitment to advance science, enhance education, and expand opportunity through the pursuit of philanthropy…I greatly look forward to welcoming Mark back to Harvard on Commencement day.”
Brief History of Harvard Dropout
- Born in 1984, Zuckerberg started writing software in his middle school where he created a program called “ZuckNet” for his father’s dental practice.
- As a teenager, he built a platform called Synapse Media Player that used machine learning to analyze a user’s listening preferences. The program was recognized by PC Magazine and earned him job offers from Microsoft and AOL.
- Zuckerberg graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire with major in math and science.
- He enrolled in Harvard in 2002. In his sophomore year, he and a group of friends created a platform called thefacebook.com, initially designed as a social networking website for Harvard students and then expanded to other campuses.
- Zuckerberg and his cohorts then moved to Palo Alto, Calif., to rebrand their new company, now called Facebook. He intended to return to Harvard to complete his education but then the success of Facebook led him to devote his full energy to the company.
- He received many awards and honors for his company. In 2010, Time magazine named him Person of the Year, and Vanity Fair magazine listed him among “the top 100 most influential people of the information age.” In 2016, Forbes magazine named him among its top 10 “World’s Most Powerful People.”
Martin Grasso, President of the Harvard Alumni Association, said, “Mark Zuckerberg understands the power of connection, and the importance of creating community. Harvard alumni and students will be eager for this opportunity to hear from someone who through hard work and dedication has transformed the way we connect to each other and the world.”
Zuckerberg made the announcement in a short video on Facebook with another Harvard dropout and the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, who commented,
“Always happy to help, Mark. Good luck on your speech. Hope the honorary degree helps you land your dream job…”
https://www.facebook.com/zuck/videos/10103553166792061/
Source: Harvardgazette
