Pharrell Williams Receives Honorary Degree - Noise11.com
Pharrell Williams, Photo by Ian Laidlaw 2

Pharrell Williams, Photo by Ian Laidlaw

Pharrell Williams Receives Honorary Degree

by Music-News.com on May 19, 2017

in News

Pharrell Williams praised the younger generation for fighting for gender equality as he collected an honorary degree on Wednesday (17May17).

Williams received a Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Yankee Stadium on Wednesday and delivered a ten-minute commencement speech to graduates in which he praised their generation for helping create change with issues such as social justice, the use of technology, and equal rights.

“Your generation is unravelling deeply entrenched laws, principals, and misguided values that have held women back for far too long and, therefore, have held us all back.” he said. “Imagine the possibilities when women are not held back. The world that you will live in that will be a lot better. This is the first generation that navigates with the security and confidence to treat women as equals.”

The singer, wearing a purple gown and graduation cap, also added, “There is no humanity without education and there is no education without humanity.”

The 44-year-old has a connection to the university as he previously served as an artist in residence for a year from October 2015. During his stint, he taught classes and participated in talks.

Dean Allyson Green of Tisch heaped praise on Pharrell and called him a “shining example” for young people, and added: “From his outstanding creative work to his commitment to encouraging positive change in realms of educating youth and protecting the planet, he is a shining example of the infinite possibilities the world holds for all our students as they embark on their post-college careers.”

The doctorate comes a couple of months after the singer received the Officier des Arts et des Lettres Award, a prestigious French honour, in recognition of his contribution to the arts.

music-news.com

Related Posts

Beyonce Cowboy Carter
It Looks Like Beyoncé Has Covered Dolly Parton

Beyoncé has released a tracklisting for her upcoming album ‘Cowboy Carter'.

1 day ago
50 Cent photo by Ros O'Gorman
50 Cent Confirms Diddy Doco

50 Cent has confirmed he will release a documentary detailing the sexual assault allegations against Diddy.

2 days ago
Incubus photo by Shawn Hanna supplied
Brandon Boyd Says Incubus Were Three Albums Deep When They Found Their Sound

Incubus released their first album ‘Fungus Amongus’ in 1995 and second ‘S.C.I.E.N.C.E.’ in 1997. Both stiffed. At that point it looked like it wasn’t going to happen for the band … but then it did. Brandon Boyd

2 days ago
Taylor Swift at the MCG Melbourne 16 February 2024 Photo Credit TAS Rights Management
Taylor Swift’s Father Will Not Be Charged By Australian Police

Australian police will not be pursuing charges against Taylor Swift's father Scott Swift over an alleged clash with a photographer in Sydney.

3 days ago
Jason Singh
Jason Singh Wins Two Year Taxiride Trade Mark Battle Against Fellow Band Members

Taxiride co-founder Jason Singh has won a two-year legal battle against fellow bandmates Tim Watson and Tim Wild over the Taxiride Trade Mark.

4 days ago
Bjorn Again To Head Back To The UK

ABBA tribute show Björn Again is heading to Hampton Court Palace Festival on Saturday 15 June.

4 days ago
The Cat Empire photo supplied by MSO
The Cat Empire To Perform Melbourne and Sydney Orchestra Shows

The Cat Empire will perform with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in August and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in September.

4 days ago