Commencement 2009 features alumnus Herman Leonard
The College of Fine Arts is honored to welcome alumnus and famed photographer Herman Leonard as the 2009 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts.
Herman Leonard, a 1947 BFA graduate and world-renowned photographer whose images captured the history and movement of jazz, will speak at Ohio University’s two undergraduate commencement ceremonies, set for 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 13, in the Convocation Center.. Leonard has received numerous national accolades for his work, including the Milt Hinton Award for Excellence in Jazz Photography, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Downbeat magazine and the Lucie Achievement in Portraiture Award. In the forward of his third book, “Jazz, Giants, and Journeys: The Photography of Herman Leonard,” published in 2006, Quincy Jones wrote, “When people think of jazz, their mental picture is likely one of Herman’s.”
To listen an interview by Arts for Ohio Director Maureen Wagner with Edward Pauley, the John B. and Dareth A. Gerlach Director of the Kennedy Museum of Art and Dr. W. Michael Parkinson, Director of the School of Muisc click here. It may take a few moments to load.
View video of Herman Leonard receiving the Lucie Award here.
To celebrate his return to campus, the College of Fine Arts will feature a series of events his accomplsihments, including:
June 2 - July 26, 2009 -- Jazz Captured: Iconic Images of Herman Leonard exhibition at the Kennedy Museum of Art at The Ridges. Admission is free. Visit www.ohio.edu/museum for hours and more information.
June 2 - 19, 2009 -- Herman Leonard's Years at Ohio University historic yearbook display at the Alden Fine Arts Library on the third floor. Admission is free. Visit http://www.library.ohiou.edu/subjects/artblog/ for more information.
June 11, 2009, 2 p.m. -- Ohio University Jazz Combo inspired by the photogrpahy of Herman Leonard at the Baker University Center Theatre Lounge on the second floor. Featuring works by Art Blakey, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Lester Young. Admission is free.
June 13, 2009, 9:30 a.m. & 2 p.m. -- The Ohio University Wind Ensemble will play "Duke Ellington in Concert," a selection of Duke Ellington pieces arranged by Paul Murtha, during both undergraduate commencement ceremonies.
Books by Herman Leonard will be available at:
Little Professor Book Center -- 65 S Court Street 740.592.4418
Follett's University Bookstore -- 63 S Court Street 740.593.5547
Read more about Herman Leonard through Ohio University news:
Outlook: Noted photographer to address graduates >>
Ohio Today: A Lucie for Leonard >>
To learn more about Herman Leonard, please visit http://hermanleonard.com/
Please check back often as additional events and information will be added as needed.