University of North Carolina Bestows Honorary Doctorate Degree on Richard Stevens

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has presented a Doctor of Laws honorary degree upon Richard Stevens, a Smith Anderson attorney, distinguished public servant and triple alumnus of UNC who has served the state and university in numerous ways. Richard received the degree during UNC’s commencement ceremony on May 11 in Chapel Hill.

Honorary degrees are academic awards given by an accredited college or university to individuals to recognize their exceptional contributions to society or lifetime achievement in a specific field, and each school determines the types of degrees it will confer through a selection process.

Richard earned B.A., M.P.A. and J.D. degrees from UNC. The university cited Richard’s outstanding record of public service for the honor, including his five terms as a North Carolina State Senator, his service to UNC over the decades and scholarships established in his honor, as described in a news release.

Richard joined Smith Anderson in September 2012 after serving as a senator in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2003, ranking as the senate’s third most effective member, according to a survey by the nonpartisan North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research.

At Smith Anderson, Richard focuses his practice on administrative law, government contracting, government relations, higher education, investigations and regulatory and public policy.

Read the full announcement here.