Photo credit: Emma McIntyre / Getty
Chadwick Boseman was not only an incredible actor but a proud Howard Bison.
Reportedly, the late actors alma mater Howard University announced today that their newly re-established college of fine arts, which is under the direction of Dean Phylicia Rashad, would be named to honor Boseman. Chadwick died in August of 2020 at the age of 43 after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Congratulations to all the future students of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts!
Special thanks to @howardu @huprez17 @phyliciarashad and @RobertIger @disney for leading fundraising efforts. pic.twitter.com/dmyJOlySPd
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) May 26, 2021
In a celebratory statement, Boseman’s family got the opportunity to share their gratitude for Howard’s President A.I. Frederick and the Board of Trustees for honoring the late actor and renaming the institution the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
“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 Boseman family said.
Chad’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman also shared her appreciation
“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,” she said. “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.”
The reestablishment of the fine arts college was a long-held dream of Boseman’s, who graduated in 2000 with a BFA in directing. During his attendance, he led a protest against the school’s absorption into the College of Arts & Science. In addition to renaming the college for Boseman, The Walt Disney Company’s executive chairman Bob Iger plans to lead fundraising efforts to build a new facility for the college and an endowment in the “Black Panther” star’s name.
“Chadwick Boseman was an extraordinarily gifted, charismatic and kind-hearted person whose incredible talent and generous spirit were clearly reflected in his iconic performances, including as King T’Challa in ‘Black Panther,’ and in his tireless commitment to helping others,” Iger said. “Through his tremendous example he inspired millions to overcome adversity, dream big and reach beyond the status quo, and this College named in his honor at his beloved Howard University will provide opportunities for future generations of artists to follow in his footsteps and pursue their dreams.”
