Clinton Makes the Grade at Old English Alma Mater

Bill Clinton of Hope, Ark., seemed right at home Wednesday as he paid a visit to his historic alma mater.

Not quite an old grad, the President departed Oxford University in 1970 without earning his degree in politics. But he returned to don a scarlet gown and receive an honorary doctor of civil law degree, amid pageantry laden with Latin.

The President called it a “wonderful day.”

Clinton was first hosted at his old school, University College, one of the institution’s 37 colleges scattered through this lovely city of “dreaming spires.” The colleges make up the university--one of the oldest and most distinguished in the English-speaking world.

The master, or head, of University College presented Hillary Rodham Clinton with a claret jug, inscribed in Latin that said: “Here’s a health from University College to the lady in charge of universal health.”

After a lunch of smoked salmon and spring lamb, preceded by grace in Latin, Clinton donned his gown and a floppy black academic hat. He walked through the quadrangles accompanied by professors in gowns and hoods of red, blue and gold. They headed to the Sheldonian Theatre, an architectural gem designed by Christopher Wren in 1664 and commissioned by Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury.

During the ceremony, Clinton could hear a group of young demonstrators. Some were members of the Anti-Nazi League, which has protested Clinton’s meeting in Rome last week with leaders of a party with ties to Italy’s fascist past. But most were students complaining about higher rents scheduled to take effect at the university.

As one protester admitted: “This has nothing to do with President Clinton. This is our chance to attract the attention of the national media here today.” Another protester, David Renton, said of the rent increase: “If Clinton was the man he was at 20, he would be on our side of the barricade.”

Clinton, during his short acceptance speech, took note of the protests, remarking: “This great university has been very much involved in the action and passion of its time. Just listen outside here.” The audience laughed.

Later, Clinton visited American Rhodes Scholars--he once was one--and took tea with Douglas Millin, 77, his retired chief porter, in his old college rooms. The space had been vacated for the day by the present occupant, Emma Caldwell, 18, a first-year law student from Northern Ireland, who said she was happy that Clinton’s name was placed on her door.

“I have shoved everything in cupboards,” she said. “There is normally a lot of mess.”

Teaching has been carried out at Oxford from the 12th Century onward, and its name has become synonymous with academic distinction. Since 1750, 24 British prime ministers have been its graduates.

Among the prominent American historical figures schooled here was William Penn, as well as the founders of Maryland, Georgia and New Hampshire. Five current U.S. senators--David L. Boren (D-Okla.), Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) and Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.)--studied here.

There are 509 Americans studying here now. And the Yankee fascination with Oxford shows no sign of slackening: One million Americans visit the city and university each year to take in the quaint streets, quiet quadrangles and Thames-side views.

Clinton arrived in 1968 when opposition to the Vietnam War was building. As a student, he opposed the war and escaped the draft. With his eyes firmly fixed on a political career, he left Oxford before his two years as a Rhodes Scholar were up to enroll in Yale Law School.

Some, like Mark Almond, an Oxford professor and conservative commentator, have bitterly complained that Clinton has not established a sufficiently distinguished presidential record to deserve an honorary degree from his alma mater.

But that view was not shared by the degree-granting dons and administrators at the university, which is in the midst of a $430-million fund-raising drive that hopes to attract significant American largess.