NORTH PARK — She has an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy and a Tony, and now actress Rita Moreno can add honorary doctorate to her list of accomplishments.
Moreno has been tapped to deliver the commencement address at Northeastern Illinois University's spring graduation ceremony, May 11 at UIC Pavilion, when she will also receive an honorary degree.
“Rita Moreno is an inspiration and a role model who has consistently demonstrated the value of a strong work ethic,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Richard J. Helldobler said in a statement.
"She is a fantastic Latina role model," added NEIU spokesman Mike Hines.
The 83-year-old was born in Puerto Rico and most famously starred as Anita in "West Side Story," for which she earned a best supporting actress Oscar.
One of only 12 people to have collected the coveted EGOT, Moreno also boasts an award-winning connection to Chicago's entertainment scene.
In 1969, she was one of the recipients of the inaugural Joseph Jefferson Awards, winning best guest artist for the Ivanhoe Theatre's production of "The Rose Tattoo."
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