Actor Bill Cosby, whose stellar show-biz career took off as a stand-up comedian, elevated African-Americans on television in the 1980s by using his fame and wealth to promote education and support for historically Black colleges and universities.
But now, at the age of 80, the former entertainment icon faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison after a jury in Norristown, Pa., found him guilty Thursday on all three charges of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand. Each count carries a maximum of 10 years in prison, though the terms can be served concurrently.
Cosby’s conviction brings closer to the end a storied career that was birthed in the tough Richard Allen Housing Projects in his beloved hometown of Philadelphia.
In the wake of increasing accusations that the man once called “America’s favorite Dad” had sexually assaulted dozens of women over a period spanning 40 years, more than 20 of the nearly 60 colleges and universities that awarded him honorary degrees over the years have rescinded them. Among those schools are Tufts University, Drexel University, Lehigh University, Carnegie Mellon University and Wesleyan University.
A spokesman for Boston College said that as a matter of policy, the college does not rescind honorary degrees and would not do so for Cosby.
In 2015, Spelman College terminated a professorship that was endowed by Cosby and his wife of 54 years, Camille.
In a statement emailed to Diverse by Ray Betzner, Temple University’s chief spokesperson said the university will now determine whether it will rescind the honorary degree that they awarded Cosby, who is an alumnus and served for many years on the board of trustees from 1982 until 2014, when he was forced to step down amid the allegations.
