Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor LAW ’79 was among the guests seen entering the Yale Center for British Art Sunday evening to attend the University’s annual dinner for honorary degree recipients.

A security guard arrived at the YCBA shortly after 6 p.m. and conversed with Yale police officers prior to Sotomayor’s arrival. When at least three police cars had surrounded the area, Sotomayor disembarked from a black SUV and walked into the gallery.

Yale awards honorary degrees as part of Commencement activities each year to recognize outstanding achievement in a variety of fields. Last year’s recipients included former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Margaret Marshall LAW ’76.

After being honored at an evening dinner at the YCBA, this year’s recipients will receive their honorary degrees as part of Monday’s Commencement ceremony.

Sotomayor is the first Hispanic and third female justice to serve on the Supreme Court. President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to the position in 2009.