The Howard University’s College of Fine Arts is to be renamed in honour of departed and celebrated actor, director, and writer Chadwick Boseman who graduated from the school with a degree in directing in 2000.
To the dismay of the both lovers of art and the entertainment world, beloved Chadwick Boseman passed in 2020 at age 43 after a long and hard fought battle against Colon Cancer.
Chadwick never forgot what mattered in all his years of active practice, as he always gave back and stayed connected to his alma mater.
As Variety reports, Walt Disney’s Bob Iger will also champion fundraising for a new building for the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. He will also be providing endowment in Chadwick’s name.
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Boseman’s family in a statement released said, “Chad fought to preserve the College of Fine Arts during his matriculation at Howard and remained dedicated to the fight throughout his career, and he would be overjoyed by this development.”
The statement said further, “His time at Howard University helped shape both the man and the artist that he became, committed to truth, integrity and a determination to transform the world through the power of storytelling.”
Newly appointed College of Fine Arts Dean Phylicia Rashad who is also an actress and alumni of Howard, and mentored Chadwick in his time as a student also said, “Unrelenting in his pursuit of excellence, Chadwick was possessed with a passion for inquiry and a determination to tell stories — through acting, writing, and directing — that revealed the beauty and complexity of our human spirit.”
In her own statement, wife of the deceased, Simone Ledward-Boseman said: “I am extremely pleased that Howard University has chosen to honor my husband in this way and elated that Ms. Rashad has accepted the role as Dean…”
“Chad was a very proud Bison — both Howard and Ms. Rashad played integral roles in his journey as an artist. The re-establishment of the College of Fine Arts brings this part of his story full-circle and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for years to come.” she continued.
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It is heartwarming to see Chadwick’s legacy live on this way, especially as his dreams for his alma mater are being actualized in his honour. Keep resting champ.
Interesting
Well done Howard University.