Mattis receives honorary doctorate from international affairs school

Defense Secretary James Mattis donned his academic regalia on Saturday as he received an honorary doctorate from an international affairs school.

Mattis received the honorary law degree after his commencement address to a group of students at the Institute of World Politics, a graduate school in Washington, D.C., focused on national security and military strategy.

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A Defense Department Twitter account posted photos of Mattis receiving a stole and posing for pictures with the graduates. 

Earlier today #SecDef Mattis spoke at the 2018 Institute of World Politics commencement where he received an honorary Doctorate of Laws from institute president Dr. John Lenczowski. pic.twitter.com/wDhMPPlIBH

— DoD Outreach (@DoDOutreach) May 19, 2018

Mattis earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Washington University in 1971 and his master’s degree from National War College at National Defense University in 1994.

Mattis, long known as an intellectual among the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps, served as head of U.S. Central Command before President Trump tapped him for Defense chief.