Highlights Prof. El Anatsui Receives 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts From BARD COLLEGE

Ghanaian Sculptor, Prof. El Anatsui receiving the 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts at Bard College

Oyiza Adaba, New York

BARD COLLEGE ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOURTH COMMENCEMENT

Bard College held its 164th commencement on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Bard President Leon Botstein conferred 395 undergraduate degrees on the Class of 2024 and 229 graduate degrees. Bard also conferred 40 associate degrees from its microcolleges and Honorary Degrees to exceptional award recipients like Prof. El Anatsui, who was the received the 2024 Doctor of Fine Arts

The Ghanaian sculptor, who is known for his ground-breaking redefinition of sculptural installations that hang in the world’s most prestigeous museums, was in good company. Other recipients include Hollywood actress Rachael Weisz, David C. Banks chancellor of New York City Public Schools, Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress and Imad Abu Kishek president of Al-Quds University (AQU).

Earth Scientist Naomi Oreskes delivered the 2024 Commencement Address, in which she addressed the difficulties of today’s world, and challenged young minds to finding a middle ground in resolving conflicts.

“It's an instinct for many of us to want to resolve contradictions. To conclude that Heidegger must be either a great thinker or a fascist—because how could he be both? To say that Locke, as a racist, cannot be an inspiration to us today. To insist that Schrodinger’s cat must be either alive or dead.”

“The world needs both speaking and listening. If no one spoke, there would be nothing to listen to. But if no one listens, then there isn’t much point in speaking. ”

— Naomi Oreskes

Located in upstate New York town of Annandale-on-Hudson, Bard College is a liberal art institution that was founded as St. Stephen’s College in 1860. It was also home to the late Nobel Laureate Prof. Chinua Achebe from 1990 to 2009. The Nigerian author of the globally acclaimed novel “Things Fall Apart”, was the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College.

The ceremony was accompanied by a Luncheon at the President’s residence, a tour of Achebe House, barbecue and fireworks..