Harvard Degree

Harvard University will award a special posthumous degree to Joel Iacoomes, a member of the Wampanoag tribe who died in 1665, shortly after having completed four years of study in Harvard College but just before he was to participate in commencement.

The recognition will be part of the university’s 2011 commencement exercises on May 26.

Mr. Iacoomes was one of the two original Wampanoag students at Harvard. His classmate and fellow Wampanoag, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, graduated from Harvard in 1665.

“The Aquinnah Wampanoag are delighted,” Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) said in a statement. “Since [Joel Iacoomes] was from our Island community, it means a great deal to us to see his extraordinary achievement recognized alongside his fellow tribe member, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, the first Indian to graduate from Harvard.”