The University of Michigan will award Tony and Emmy Award winner Leslie Uggams an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts at its commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 4, at Michigan Stadium. University President Mark Schlissel recommended Ms. Uggams for the degree to the Board of Regents.
Other 2019 honorees are Nobel Prize winner and professor of Molecular and Cell Biology, Randy W. Schekman; Mark di Suvero, internationally renowned sculptor and peace activist; and Gretchen Whitmer, current Governor of Michigan. Whitmer will deliver the keynote address at the Michigan Stadium ceremony.
Recipients will receive their diplomas at an Honorary Degree Dinner on Friday, May 3, hosted by the Regents, President Schlissel, and Ms. Monica Schwebs. The dinner will be held at the University of Michigan Museum of Art. Ms. Uggams will give a brief acceptance speech upon receipt of her degree.
In addition, on Thursday, March 2, Ms. Uggams will conduct a 90-minute Q&A with Musical Theatre Students in the Towsley Theatre, Walgreen Drama Center. The session will be moderated by Professor Vincent Cardinal, chair of the Department of Musical Theatre.
Notable past honorary doctorate degree recipients include Arthur Miller, Thurgood Marshall, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama. Ms. Uggams currently holds an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut.