NEW ORLEANS — Former Presidents Bush and Clinton helped Tulane University celebrate its "miracle" commencement Saturday, nine months after Hurricane Katrina put two-thirds of the campus under water and scattered students to more than 600 schools nationwide.

Degrees were awarded to nearly 2,200 graduates and honorary degrees were presented to Bush and Clinton.

The former presidents, who raised nearly $130 million in relief money for victims of the Aug. 29 storm, received several standing ovations from the graduates at the event.

Bush and Clinton in turn saluted the courage of the school, faculty and the 88 percent of the students who returned for the spring semester and to help the city rebuild.