Here is Flynn receiving an honorary doctorate from URI in 2014:
He was appointed National Security Advisor by Donald Trump in 2016 but resigned days later when the fact came out that he lied to the FBI when questioned about contacts he had with Russian government officials on behalf of Donald Trump. He pleaded guilty to those charges but escaped prison only due to a pardon from Trump.
Note: accepting a pardon for a crime includes admission of guilt.
Flynn has gone on to become a Q-Anon figure and has repeatedly called for the overthrow of the legitimately elected government headed by Joe Biden.