Students and staff at the Arts Institute of Pittsburgh "fell in love" with Premier Jennifer Smith when she went there to receive an honorary degree from her alma mater last week, according to the college's president.

Premier Smith addressed the graduating class of students as the keynote speaker during a ceremony last Thursday, which she attended with her Chief of Staff, Senator David Burch.

In a rare interview with the media, she told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review after the ceremony why she believed education was one of the most important issues in Bermuda today.

"Ever since I was first appointed to the Senate, underneath every problem I sought to deal with, the solution has been education," she said.

After receiving her honorary doctorate in humanities, she said: "It's somewhat surrealistic. I think I'll probably be home before I process all of this."

Premier Smith spent three years at the college from 1968 to 1971 where she studied fashion illustration. She then returned to Bermuda to become a freelance illustrator and journalist.

President of the Arts Institute of Pittsburgh, George Pry, told The Royal Gazette: "It was phenomenal and she was very appreciative and grateful to get back to Pittsburgh where she began her education. The students and staff fell in love with her because she was so warm and engaging."

He explained that the awarding of honorary doctorates in arts and humanities at the college only began a year ago, and is intended to recognise former students who "take what they learned from us and use it for society and the community beyond the world of art".

Mr. Pry added that Premier Smith spoke to graduating arts students for around 15 minutes "about her own passions in life and how it translates to them, about how with the right kind of passion you can achieve what you want to achieve".

According to the Tribune-Review, Premier Smith credits her mother's family for her interest in politics and her flair for art.

"I drew on everything, everywhere," she added. "If I wasn't reading I was drawing."

During last week's trip, she was also given keys to the city of Pittsburgh by Mayor Tom Murphy, an honour which is rarely bestowed, according Mr. Pry, and which last happened ten years ago.