Now Magazine | All the celebrity gossip
  • 10 November 2009
  • Goodtoknow-network-site
people.com News
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter author received a degree from Harvard

J.K. Rowling to Harvard grads: giving's a gift

The author also receives an honorary doctor of letters degree

Saturday, 7 June 2008

J.K. Rowling has challenged Harvard University graduates to act charitably toward those less fortunate.

"That is your privilege and your burden," the Harry Potter author, 42, is quoted as saying Thursday by the Boston Globe.

"If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice, if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless, if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped transform for the better."

Receiving an honorary doctor of letters degree – at the same ceremony where Massachusetts's Edward Kennedy, now recovering from this week's brain surgery, was also to honored – Rowling seemed to have taken a page from the senator's book by saying that those "who choose not to empathize are real monsters."

By Amy Green

Rate this!

  1. Not bad
  2. Okay
  3. Good
  4. Great
  5. Excellent

 

Star rating:Rating-3-star

  • IPC Media Limited, owner of nowmagazine.co.uk, will collect the address of the recipient solely to process your requests.

  • Print this article

Comments

Be the first to add a comment

Add a comment

* required fields

Now magazine will not publish anything which is defamatory, offensive, or illegal. Email nowonline@ipcmedia.com to complain about any comments

IPC Media Limited, owner of nowmagazine.co.uk, will collect your personal information solely to process your request.

Top videos

I am a
Aged to Postcode
Member log in or Register here

Feeds_celebritypeoplephotos

Latest poll

Should Sienna Miller take love-rat Jude Law back?

Poll
  • Yes, it's meant to be! (27%)
  • No, once a cheater always a cheater! (73%)



More on Now...

morrissey

SEE VIDEO Morrissey walks off stage after being hit

Fan in crowd launches drink at singer

Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas - a love story in pictures| Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Gossip

SEE PICS Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas - a love story

As the couple announce their split, see their romance in pictures...

H&M| Shop of the week| Now magazine| Celebrity Gossip

Shop of the week: H&M

Jimmy Choo for H&M launches this weekend

Kym Marsh | Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Spy | Celebrity Gossip

Kym Marsh 'scared' of trying for another baby

Star would want to be closely monitored

Cheryl Cole | Pictures | Now Magazine | Celebrity Gossip

Copy Cheryl Cole's hair and make-up

Steal The X Factor judge's style



goodtoknow Pick Me Up What's on TV