Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ honorary degree from Howard University has been revoked.
The ‘I’ll Be Missing You’ hitmaker had the honour conferred in 2014 but the historically Black institution has announced that their board of trustees have voted unanimously to return his degree following the recent release of 2016 video footage which showed the disgraced music mogul attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
A statement from the board read: “The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014. This acceptance revokes all honours and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.
“Mr. Combs’ behaviour as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honour.
“The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”
In addition, the establishment – which Diddy attended from 1987 to 1989 – will also terminate a 2016 gift agreement made with the 54-year-old rapper, disband a scholarship that was established in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement made with the Sean Combs Foundation.
It noted: “No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement.”
After CNN published the video of Diddy attacking Cassie, he issued an apology for his “inexcusable” conduct via Instagram.
He said: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.
“I was f* up — I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable.”
Diddy has been subjected to multiple lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct in recent months but has denied the allegations against him.
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