Mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht Doctor in Law

Mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht, Netherlands

de Limburger
Warrensburg/Maastricht

Mayor Gerd Leers of Maastricht received last Saturday an honorary doctorate degree from the University of central Missouri in Warrensburg, in the United States.
Leers, together with his wife, traveled to America to receive this great honor, which was bestowed upon him for his continuous fight of many years against the trafficking of illegal drugs. In addition, Leers' personal involvement in receiving and facilitating the American Students in Maastricht aided in the decision of the University council to award the highest academic honor to the Maastricht Mayor, according to a University spokesperson.
The personal friendship of the Maastricht Mayor and the University was also a reason to bestow Leers the title of Doctor of Law. This friendship is reflected in the expression of the Maastricht Center for Transatlantic studies, an international installation of studies in the capital city of Limburg.
The exceptional relationship between Maastricht and Warrensburg is in a large part due to business man Benoit Wesley from Maastricht. For many years he has been on excellent terms with the University of Central Missouri. Wesley donated a 78 feet high clock tower (The Maastricht Friendship)which has received a very prominent place on the university campus. Because of his merits and efforts to the educational institution, Wesley himself received an honorary doctorate several years ago.

The awarding of the honorary doctorate to Leers, he received the special award from the hands of President Aaron Podolefskyrector, took place Saturday, against a background that in the Unites States is known as Commencement Day, the traditional ending of the academic year. This is the day that thousands of students receive their degree and commence their new careers.

Thank you John for finding and translating this for us. It was a nice article

to read of the Mayor and good friend of Andre's.