Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Arts & Culture

Kevin Richardson to Receive Historic Honorary Degree

Friday, October 16, 2020, By News Staff
Share
Coming Back Togetherhonorary degreesOur Time Has Comescholarships

Syracuse University announced today that Kevin Richardson, a member of the Exonerated Five, will be the recipient of the first honorary undergraduate degree in University history. The honorary bachelor of fine arts in music will be formally conferred at the University’s Commencement ceremony.

Richardson, one of five teenagers wrongly convicted and sentenced as teenagers in the highly publicized Central Park jogger rape case, was just 14 years old at the time of his arrest. His dream at the time was to pursue an undergraduate degree and play the trumpet in the marching band at Syracuse University. While honorary degrees are usually awarded at the doctoral level, when the University contacted Richardson about the conferral, he specifically requested that he receive the bachelor of fine arts that he had hoped to earn before he was prosecuted and jailed for a crime he did not commit.

In announcing the honor during the University’s virtual Coming Back Together Black and Latino alumni reunion, Chancellor Kent Syverud noted that “Syracuse University has never awarded an undergraduate honorary degree. I am deeply grateful to all who joined in the process of recognizing Kevin Richardson for this well-deserved honor.”

Honorary degrees recognize individuals who have made exceptional and notable contributions to the institution or the broader society. Since his exoneration, Richardson has been an advocate for criminal justice reform, working with The Innocence Project. In recognizing Richardson’s contributions to criminal justice reform and bettering the lives of individuals released from prison Syverud said, “While a very young man, your character was tested. Your response has been to address the world with great wisdom, compassion and activism. These values are the same attributes you find in graduates of Syracuse University.”

head shot of Kevin Richardson

Kevin Richardson

“Universities have the potential to influence the arc of a student’s life and the responsibility to promote a more equitable society. Mr. Richardson’s life story is one we all should should follow and seek to fully understand. Despite his personal experience of injustice, Kevin Richardson has persevered and sought to make a positive difference. He has elevated the cause of social justice each step of the way,” said Keith A. Alford, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

In September 2019, Richardson visited Syracuse University for the first time and was honored with the creation of the Our Time Has Come Kevin Richardson Scholarship, which is awarded with a preference for supporting Black and Hispanic students with unmet financial need. Our Time Has Come scholars also receive leadership training and support while making valuable connections with the Syracuse Alumni network. The scholarship was launched with a lead gift from Tara Brown Favors ’95. Favors and her two sons were inspired by the Netflix miniseries “When They See Us,” a retelling of the flawed police investigation and prosecution that led to Richardson and four other youths’ wrongful conviction and jail sentences. She has since encouraged her classmates—who  would have been enrolled with Richardson—to join her in growing the scholarship.

four people standing and playing musical instruments

Kevin Richardson, second from left, met with students during a visit to the University in 2019.

Rachel Vassel ’91, assistant vice president of multicultural advancement said, “The publicity for ‘When They See Us’—and particularly Mr. Richardson’s stated ambition to attend Syracuse University—ignited a groundswell of support from our Black and Latino alumni and students and the idea of honoring him with a named scholarship was born. The opportunity to formally welcome him to the Orange family with the degree he was tragically prevented from earning is incredibly meaningful. We are so grateful to everyone who has chosen to honor Mr. Richardson by making a contribution to the Our Time Has Come Kevin Richardson Scholarship and look forward to welcoming everyone back to campus to celebrate with him when we are able to gather again.”

 

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • Award-Winning Comics Theorist Scott McCloud ’82 to Present Lecture Feb. 9
    Friday, February 3, 2023, By Erica Blust
  • NASA Honoring Those Who Were Aboard Space Shuttle Columbia And Other Late Astronauts
    Thursday, February 2, 2023, By Julia Mazzer
  • NFL, Eagles and Chiefs All Set To Win The Economics Game In Super Bowl LVII
    Thursday, February 2, 2023, By Julia Mazzer
  • CEOs Requiring In Person Work Is Hurting Diversity
    Thursday, February 2, 2023, By Julia Mazzer
  • Parking and Transportation Services Makes Updates to New Late-Night Euclid Loop to Include Warehouse Stop
    Thursday, February 2, 2023, By Jennifer DeMarchi

More In Arts & Culture

College of Visual and Performing Arts Announces 2023 VPA Scholars

Twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) have been named VPA Scholars, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor. The VPA Scholars program was established to recognize the achievements of the college’s top seniors. Students are…

School of Design Alumni Exhibition Features Innovation and Excellence in Footwear

The School of Design’s Sue and Leon Genet Gallery at the Nancy Cantor Warehouse is proud to present “Footwear by School of Design Alumni,” on display through March 3. The exhibition features the work of over 20 designers representing more…

School of Architecture Faculty Member Honored With Best of Design Award

The Architect’s Newspaper (AN) recently announced the winners of its 10th annual Best of Design Awards, a unique project-based awards program that showcases great buildings, unbuilt proposals, interiors and installations. Iman Fayyad, assistant professor in the School of Architecture, won…

Community Input Forum Jan. 25 on Art Museum Executive Director Search

An open forum will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, regarding the University’s search for its next executive director and chief curator of the Syracuse University Art Museum. The forum will offer University community members the opportunity to have input…

‘Take Me to the Palace of Love’ on Display at Syracuse University Art Museum Jan.19-May 14

A new exhibition of critical artworks by acclaimed international artist Rina Banerjee will open at the Syracuse University Art Museum on Jan. 19. “Take Me to the Palace of Love” explores the meaning of home in diasporic communities and invites…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.