Dean Gallery
With playwright and former Lehman College faculty member, J. E. Franklin, on the day of the 56th Commencement of Lehman College, May 30, 2024
In February 2024, while on sabbatical leave, I nominated playwright J. E. Franklin for an honorary degree from Lehman College at the upcoming 56th Commencement. I was delighted when, on May 30, 2024, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters. As stated in the Commencement program, "Franklin's impact as playwright, educator, and activist is evident in her fearless exploration of the Black experience in America, particularly the experience of Black women and families." Ms. Franklin taught in the Department of Education at Lehman during the 1970s, in her formative years as a playwright. She is the author of the play "Black Girl" (1969 and 1971), as well as the screenplay for the film "Black Girl" (1972). Three of her plays, "Mau Mau Room" (1969), "Black Girl" (1971), and "The Prodigal Sister" (1974), were directed by Shauneille Perry, who later became Director of Theatre at Lehman College.
J. E. Franlin receiving her honorary Doctor of Letters at the 56th Commencement of Lehman College, May 30, 2024
With Prof. Jennifer Jolley (Music) at Lehman College Commencement, May 30, 2024.
On May 30, 2024, I cheered for Arts & Humanities graduates as they walked across the stage to collect their degrees, along with faculty from Music, Multimedia, Theatre, and Dance, English (in photo), Philosophy, Languages and Literatures, History, and Africana Studies (out of photo).
On May 15, 2024, I became an honorary member of the Chi chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Lehman College, along with an amazing group of Lehman students, who became members of the oldest and most prestigious academic honors society in the U.S.
Lehman Leadership Gala, September 14, 2023, after the awarding of the Bold, Persistent, Unbreakable Award to Class of 2023 alumnus Jimmy "Jimmy Luv" Jenkins, classmate of Andre Harrell (on stage with President Delgado and Jimmy Jenkins)
Lehman Leadership Gala, September 14, 2023, introducing Jimmy "Jimmy Luv" Jenkins
Lehman Leadership Gala, September 14, 2023, after the awarding of a posthumous honorary Doctor of Music degree to alumnus Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records (on stage with Kurt Woodley, classmate of Andre, President Delgado, and Jeff Redd, musician and producer)
Lehman Leadership Gala, September 14, 2023, inviting President Fernando Delgado to award a posthumous honorary Doctor of Music to alumnus Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records.
In February 2023, I submitted a nomination for a posthumous honorary degree for the late music mogul Andre Harrell (1960-2020). Harrell had attended Lehman College as a student from 1980 to 1983, while part of the hip hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. He later worked for Def Jam Recordings before creating his own label, Uptown Records, in 1986. It later became Uptown Enterprises. Harrell became the CEO of Motown Records in 1995, and later became the CEO of Harrell Records. He was also the Vice Chairman of Revolt Records, the multi-platform music network. I was delighted when, at Lehman College's Leadership Gala on September 14, 2023, Andre Harrell was awarded, posthumously, an honorary Doctor of Music. The degree was accepted by Jeff Redd, musician and producer.
Lehman College Commencement, June 1, 2023, inviting the Provost to present the proclamation recommending DJ Grandmaster Flash for an honorary Doctor of Music
Lehman College Commencement, June 1, 2023, inviting the Provost to present the proclamation recommending Representative José Rivera for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Associate Dean Karin Beck being awarded honorary membership in Phi Beta Kappa, spring 2023
Introducing the 2023 Lehman College and Community Chorus and the Lehman Symphony Orchestra, Winter Concert, December 4, 2022
Watch the 2022 Winter Concert
At the NY Emmys with Shift NYC, a co-production of Lehman College and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, October 8, 2022.
Watch us nearly win a NY Emmy at 1:20:17 for Shift NYC
After Graduation Celebration for the Class of '20 and the Class of '21, with Johana Gracia Lara, September 21, 2022
Graduation Celebration for the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 (who did not have an in-person Commencement), September 21, 2022
Graduation Celebration for the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 (who did not have an in-person Commencement), September 21, 2022
Lehman College Leadership Gala, June 29, 2022, introducing the band, The Bacon Brothers (Kevin Bacon, and Lehman Professor and alumnus Michael Bacon ('95))
Watch the introduction to The Bacon Brothers
Lehman College Commencement, May 26, 2022, inviting the Provost to present the proclamation recommending Cleo Silvers, activist with the Young Lords and the Black Panthers, for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, May 2022
Lehman College Commencement, May 26, 2022, inviting the Provost to present the proclamation recommending Natalia Mendez, the owner and head chef of restaurant La Morada in the Bronx, for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, May 2022
Lehman College Commencement, May 26, 2022, in the green room
Phi Beta Kappa Romanell Professor Lectures by Prof. Naomi Zack, March 23, 2022
Christmas Office Party, December 8. 2021
Vaccination center, Lehman College, June 4, 2021
Lehman College Commencement, May 27, 2021 (online), congratulating graduates of the Class of 2021. Note that my face is mirrored (over the virtual background of the cast of a play), so my tassel looks like it is on the wrong side of my tam.
Lehman College Commencement, May 27, 2021 (online), introducing the three honorary degree recipients: Congressman Eliot Engel ('69), honorary Doctor of Laws; writer, journalist, and humanitarian T. J. English, honorary Doctor of Letters; and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta. Note that my face is mirrored (over the virtual background of an image of the college), so my tassel looks like it is on the wrong side of my tam.
Introducing Naomi Zack's John Dewey Lecture at the Pacific Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association (online), April 9, 2021
Introducing Favianna Rodriguez in the Sara Little Turnbull Visiting Designer Speaker Series (online), October 20, 2020
Black Lives Matter march in New York, June 2020
Lehman College Commencement (online), spring 2020
Lehman College Holiday Party, December 20, 2019
Meeting Rachel Maddow before her show, and watching her show live in her studio, and then sitting in her chair afterwards, MSNBC Studio, 30 Rockefeller Plaza (Sept. 11, 2019)
Lehman College Leadership Retreat, September 21, 2019
Lehman College Commencement, May 30, 2019, inviting the President to award an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts to Whitfield Lovell, MacArthur-winning artist from the Bronx
Lehman College Commencement, May 30, 2019, inviting the Provost to present the Proclamation recommending Mildred García, President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, for an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
The inauguration of Senator Alessandra Biaggi at Lehman College, January 6, 2019
Watch 2019 inauguration ceremony.
Lehman Campus Holiday Party, December 14, 2018
Christmas Office Party, December 11, 2018
Lehman College Global Citizenship Gala, October 25, 2018
NBC Learn Forum, Building the Future of Higher Education, NBC News Headquarters, 30 Rockefeller, October 19, 2018
School of Arts and Humanities presentation to Enrollment Management, October 12, 2018
Camille Paglia, whom I had read as a high school student in Ireland, signed her book after I heard her give a talk (October 9, 2018)
Lehman College Convocation, September 12, 2018
Lehman College Student Success Chairs Workshop, August 24, 2018
