In June 1998, Tim Allen was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree by his alma mater, Western Michigan University, much like his character in this episode.
The awards ceremony for Tim's honorary PhD is located in Sangren Hall, and during Tim's acceptance speech you can see a seal on the wall behind him. There actually is a Sangren Hall on the campus of Western Michigan University, and the seal seen in the episode is the actual seal of the school.
In this episode, Tim is awarded an honorary PhD from his Alma Mater, Western Michigan University, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and runs into his former Philosophy professor at the ceremony. In real life, Tim Allen graduated from Western Michigan University with a minor in Philosophy.