The Oxford university with branch campuses in Hamilton, Middletown and West Chester Twp., awarded 4,101 degrees.
St. John lost her right leg when she was 5 and overcame that challenge to become the first African American to win an Olympic or Paralympic medal in ski racing, according to information provided by the university. Appointed by President Bill Clinton, she served as a director for Human Capital Policy on the White House National Economic Council.
In 2007 she was honored at the White House by President George W. Bush, who praised St. John for her spirit and accomplishments, and in 2010, she represented the USA as a member of President Obama’s official delegation to the Paralympic Winter Games. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, was a Rhodes Scholar and is a best-selling author of six books.
Her most recent No. 1 best-seller, How Great Women Lead, was co-authored with her teenage daughter, Darcy. NBC Nightly News called her “one of the five most inspiring women in America.”
She received an honorary doctorate degree from Miami during commencement ceremonies. Jim Oris, associate provost for research and scholarship and dean of the Graduate School, received the university’s prestigious Benjamin Harrison Medallion.
Miami President David Hodge presided over the ceremony. Degrees awarded include 52 certificates, 103 associates, 3,487 bachelor’s, 443 master’s and 16 doctorates.
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