Howard University has severed its connection with Sean “Diddy” Combs, rescinding the honorary degree he received in 2014 and disbanding a scholarship program named after him. This decision follows the release of a 2016 video that allegedly shows Combs assaulting R&B singer Cassie.
The university’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to revoke Combs’ honorary degree, stating that his behavior is fundamentally incompatible with Howard’s core values. The board emphasized that all honors and privileges associated with the degree are now nullified, and Combs’ name will be removed from all records of honorary degree recipients.
Additionally, the board directed university officials to terminate all financial ties to Combs, which includes returning a $1 million donation and ending the scholarship program. A 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation will also be dissolved.
Combs acknowledged last month that he assaulted Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016, expressing regret for his actions in a social media video where he described his behavior as “inexcusable.”
Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, previously filed a lawsuit against Combs that has since been settled, prompting further allegations and legal actions against him.