John Wilson Porter, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan, received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree at Commencement in 1973. This is the text of the degree citation.

Commencement program for Kalamazoo College's Class of 1973. The service took place on June 9, 1973 at the Campus Quadrangle and included music, speeches, awarding honors, and presenting candidates for degrees.