Commencement 2016: Speakers
Dear Members of the Skidmore Community,
I am pleased to announce that at the 105th Skidmore College Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 21, 2016, I will confer honorary degrees upon two exceptional individuals:
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| Emanuel Ax, internationally acclaimed classical pianist. A multiple Grammy winner, Ax is famous
for his artistic virtuosity, collaborative spirit, and embrace of old and new music.
In 2010, he headlined the formal opening of Skidmore's Arthur Zankel Music Center. Bernice Johnson Reagon, renowned activist, musician, educator, and cultural scholar. Reagon was a Freedom Singer for the civil rights movement in the 1960s, and as composer and performer she led her Sweet Honey in the Rock ensemble for 30 years. She is an American University professor emerita and Smithsonian Institution curator emerita. |
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Both of our distinguished guests will address the graduating class. Board of Trustees
Chair Linda Toohey, Class of 2016 President Miles Calzini, and I will also offer our
congratulations.
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| Katherine Graney |
Following a Skidmore tradition, a faculty member selected by the graduates will speak as well. I am pleased to announce that the senior class has selected Katherine (Kate) Graney, associate professor of government and director of gender studies, as this year's Faculty Commencement Speaker. With research expertise in ethnicities and federalism in Russia and the former Soviet states, since 1999 Professor Graney has taught courses ranging from Russian and Eastern European politics to gender in international relations and human rights.
For more information on Commencement 2016, please see our website. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with the Class of 2016, their families, and guests in May.