Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón received the nation's highest civilian honor from President Obama Tuesday at the Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House.
Joined by the likes of Tom Hanks, Bill Gates and Bruce Springsteen, Padrón received the honor for his more than 20 years of service to the college.
Padrón, who came to the country from Cuba, has been president of the college since 1995.
"Dr. Padron has built a dream factory for one of our nation's most diverse student bodies," President Obama said at the ceremony. "Eduardo's example is one we can all follow, a champion of those who strive for the same American Dream that first drew him to our shores."
The award recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture, or to other significant endeavors.
