Finally! Two decades after dropping out of Harvard delighted Matt Damon arrives to collect college's prestigious Arts Medal

He’s received many awards in his successful film career. But this one must be extra special for Matt Damon.
Twenty-one years after he dropped out of the prestigious college the actor looked delighted as he returned to be presented with the 2013 Harvard Arts Medal for his work in front of and behind the camera.
The 42-year-old and his wife Luciana arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Thursday ahead of the evening's ceremony, which will see Harvard President Drew Faust present him with the gong.

University accolade: Matt Damon was awarded the 2013 Harvard Arts Medal on Thursday in Cambridge, Massachusetts

The ceremony included a discussion with Damon on his life and career, moderated by his fellow actor John Lithgow, who will host the event. 
The Harvard Arts Medal honours a distinguished Harvard or Radcliffe graduate or faculty member who has achieved excellence in the arts and has made a contribution through the arts to education or the public good.
Matt attended the school from 1988-1992 however he did not graduate.

Change of outfit: The star was spotted carrying a protective clothing case by Dolce & Gabbana

Dressed down: He turned up wearing a hooded top and jeans with plain white T-shirt

Luckily Damon's lack of a degree did not hinder his career. In 1997 he went on to write and star in Good Will Hunting with his best friend Ben Affleck.
The movie won the pair Best Original Screenplay honours at both the Golden Globes and Academy Awards.
As he arrived in Cambridge on Thursday Damon looked relaxed in jeans with a white T-shirt and black hooded top, throwing on a brown leather jacket and black shoes.

Casual arrival: The spectacle-wearing star carried a big black bag as well as he stepped out of his car

Warm welcome: He was greeted by guides from the school when he showed up

However the thespian did have a large bag on his shoulder and also carried a suit case from Dolce & Gabbana.
Meanwhile his wife was also casually dressed in denim trousers with a grey vest, tweed jacket and scarf.
The brunette covered her eyes in aviator sunglasses and patted down her locks as they battled the wind.

Meet and greet: His wife Luciana shook the man's hand as she introduced herself

Back to school: Matt studied at the university from 1988-1992

A spectacle-wearing Matt and was greeted by a smart man as he stepped out of his vehicle.
He shook the star’s hand as well as his partner’s before chatting and escorting them into the building.
Previous winners of the Harvard Arts Medal include Tommy Lee Jones, Jack Lemmon, and Yo-Yo Ma.
Matt and his wife Luciana - who raise four daughters, Alexia, 14, Isabella, six, Gia, four, and two-year-old Stella, together - recently listed their seven-bedroom property for $20 million, $9.7 million more than they paid for it in 2005.
The 'Behind the Candelabra' star's mansion boasts a swimming pool, pool house, a courtyard entrance, home cinema, wine cellar, rooftop terrace, boat dock and 10 bathrooms.
There is also a two-bedroom guesthouse on the grounds of the Mediterranean-style estate called Maravilla, which looks out on Biscayne Bay.

Acceptance speech: Matt was seen with his medal around his neck inside the Sanders Theatre

Famous face: Actor John Lithgow moderated a discussion with Matt at the event

Old school: The 67-year-old graduated with an A.B. magna cum laude in 1967

The Boston native recently revealed he found the marathon bombings earlier this month ‘unbelievably disturbing’. 
‘It's really, really horrible and upsetting,’ he said. ‘These kids who allegedly were the bombers went to my high school and I only found out when I had the TV news on and I heard the voice of my history teacher saying he knew the younger brother and didn't understand what had happened.
‘Marathon Monday is a really big deal in Boston. Kids don't have to go to school, it's a big community event and these guys who were part of the community put bombs in the middle of the celebration. It's unbelievably disturbing.’

Another accolade: Ben Affleck is to be honoured by Brown University on May 26

Meanwhile Matt’s friend and colleague Ben is also set to receive an award from his university.
The 40-year-old will get an honorary degree from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island at a ceremony on May 26.
The Ivy League university apparently made the decision in September which was long before he scooped awards for his film Argo.