Lee Elder honored by the Masters and Augusta’s Paine College

AUGUSTA — Lee Elder was awarded an honorary doctorate degree for lifetime achievement from Paine College on Tuesday. Elder, the first Black player to compete in the Masters, was honored with a reception. The degree, in recognition of his “extraordinary contributions to humanity,” was conferred in December with a virtual commencement convocation because of the coronavirus pandemic. The college re-enacted the occasion with a hooding ceremony.

The ceremony included DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, along with Paine College president Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones.

“At the heart of this gathering is the goal of recognizing a true American hero who defied the odds of poverty, lack of access, and extreme hostile racial barriers, one who emerged as a role model for millions of young people throughout the world,” said Thurmond, chairman of the Paine College board of trustees, in a statement. “Lee Elder demonstrated how the power of faith, hard work, raw determination, and staying the course can impact one’s life. Now more than ever, our communities need role models such as Lee Elder.”