May 22, 2023 I Supply
Fred, Dinah Gretsch Receive Honorary Doctorates from Georgia Southern University
Fred Gretsch, second from right, being hooded during the graduation event on May 9.
Fred and Dinah Gretsch of the Gretsch company, were presented honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts from Georgia Southern University at the school’s Spring Commencement on May 9. The presentation marked the first time the University System of Georgia (USG), which is comprised of 26 public colleges and universities in Georgia, has awarded honorary degrees to both a husband and wife.
Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero welcomed the graduates and their guests to the ceremonies, held at the Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Georgia. Approximately 4,200 graduates from Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses received associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist and doctoral degrees in five commencement ceremonies.
“Individually and as a couple, Fred and Dinah Gretsch are iconic figures in the music industry and have shown untiring willingness to share their extensive knowledge and to help Georgia Southern University build relationships with others in the music industry,” Kyle Marrero said while awarding the degrees. “They have a long history of promoting music education, and their partnership with Georgia Southern is paying untold dividends for our reputation and for our students.”
Through the university’s collaboration with the Gretsch family, Georgia Southern University developed a permanent display of music memorabilia that highlights 140 years of Gretsch instruments, which is on display in downtown Savannah, Georgia’s District Live’s lobby and performance space. Gretsch support is also behind a faculty position — a Distinguished Scholar in Guitar/Music Industry, a staff position in the Georgia Southern Museum to catalog and manage the permanent Gretsch Collection at Georgia Southern, and two graduate assistantships in the department of history for students who will help preserve the Gretsch family’s collections, exhibits and documents.
Fred Gretsch received the honorary degrees on behalf of himself and his wife, Dinah, from Dr. Ashley Walker, dean of graduate studies, and Dr. Carl Reiber, provost and vice president of academic affairs.
“For 140 years, multiple generations of the Gretsch family have been dedicated to enriching lives through participation in music,” Gretsch said. “I really can’t thank the University enough for this honorary doctorate degree and for their unwavering commitment to change the world through music.”
