SU announces 2003 honorary degrees

SU announces 2003 honorary degreesMay 01, 2003Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

Soprano vocalist Helen Boatwright, college president George Campbell Jr., and former Congressman William F. Walsh will receive honorary degrees from Syracuse University at the 149th Commencement exercises, May 11 in the Carrier Dome.

“I’m proud to recognize these three outstanding individuals with 2003 honorary degrees,” says Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw. “They exemplify a life of service to art, to scholarship, and to the community.”

William J. Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, will deliver the commencement address to the 2003 graduates of Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

Helen BoatwrightDoctor of Music

Soprano Helen Boatwright’s singing career has spanned four decades and includes notable guest performances for the Crown Prince of Japan, the Queen Mother of England and President and Mrs. Kennedy at the White House.

With her late husband, former School of Music dean, violinist and composer Howard Boatwright, she shared Fulbright grants to India and Romania and performed concerts with him in American embassies all over the world. Her performances, under such distinguished conductors as Leopold Stokowski, Erick Leinsdorf, Zubin Mehta and Seiji Ozawa, have gathered lauding reviews from the the world’s leading music critics.

She is also a distinguished teacher of voice, having instructed students at the Eastman School of Music, Syracuse University, the Peabody Conservatory and the L’Ecole Hindemith in Switzerland.

Boatwright earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, spent two years at the Cleveland Institute Opera Workshop, and studied at Tanglewood. She remains active locally with the Syracuse Symphony, Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music, Syracuse Opera and the Society for New Music.

George W. Campbell Jr.Doctor of Science

George Campbell Jr. is president of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City. Cooper Union is one of the nation’s most selective specialized schools for architecture, engineering and fine arts. Campbell has led Cooper Union since July 2000 and is the first African American to hold presidency in the college’s 144-year history.

Prior to his appointment at Cooper Union, Campbell was president and CEO of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc. (NACME), a non-profit corporation that conducts research and public policy analysis, and develops and provides scholarship and academic enrichment programs in engineering and science to economically disadvantaged minority students. He has also served in executive positions at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

Campbell earned a bachelor of science degree from Drexel University; a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Syracuse University and is a graduate of the Executive Management Program at Yale University. He has been awarded the Arents Pioneer Medal in Physics from Syracuse University.

William F. WalshDoctor of Laws

Former Congressman William F. Walsh was elected as Syracuse’s mayor in 1961, and then, in 1971, to the U.S. Congress for the 33rd District of New York-where he served until his retirement in 1980. A native of Syracuse, Walsh served two full terms as mayor, developing and improving local buildings, libraries, schools, recreation facilities and public housing-all as initiatives of his successful revitalization of the city and downtown area as a business and shopping district.

As a three term Congressman, he served on the Ad Hoc Committee on Aging, the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Public Works and Transportation Committee. During his political career, Walsh was elected president of the New York State Conference of Mayors and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors; was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the President’s Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Affairs; and served on several state committees.

A veteran of World War II, Walsh earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University, a master’s degree from the University of Buffalo and a Ph.D in sociology from SU. Three of his children hold public office locally, including son James Walsh, who now serves as a member of Congress.