In the wake of multiple sexual assault allegations made against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Howard University—a private historically black institution located in Washington—has officially rescinded an honorary degree it awarded the 54-year-old in 2014. According to the Board of Trustees, the decision was made after video footage surfaced from 2016 showing the rapper physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura, in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. “Mr.
Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor,” the statement continues. “The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.” Additionally, the Board of Trustees instructed Howard University to cancel a 2016 “gift agreement” with Mr.
Combs, disband a scholarship program named after him, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation to donate an additional $1 million. Mr. Combs denied the allegations and settled the lawsuit out of court.
However, following the emergence of the 2016 video released by CNN in May, Mr. Combs took to social media to issue an apology. “I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses.
My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.
I was di.