Howard University said, ‘beat it,” and don’t come back to Sean “Puffy” Combs
Howard University Board of Trustees moved to disband a scholarship in Sean “Puffy” Combs’ name, terminate a 2016 “gift agreement” in which Combs pledged $1 million through his foundation, and accept the return of his honorary degree awarded to him in 2014.
There was a unanimous vote to accept the return, a spokesperson for the institution said.
“This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree,” Howard said. “Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.”
Combs, 54, who attended Howard for two years before dropping out, was filmed in Century City Hotel in Los Angeles beating and kicking Cassie Ventura, 37, his former girlfriend, in a hotel hallway. He has since apologized to Ventura.
Combs settled a lawsuit filed by Ventura, but other women have charged that he also assaulted them.
He has a long history with Howard, based in Washington, D.C.
He served as Howard’s commencement speaker the same year the three-time Grammy winner was bestowed an honorary doctorate.
Combs recently sold his majority stake in Revolt, a media company he founded in 2013. He sold the business to employees.