Entertainment

Fans Petition To Name Howard University’s College Of Fine Arts In Honor Of Chadwick Boseman

Published

4 years ago

August 29, 2020

Fans Launch A Change.Org Petition To Name Howard University’s College Of Fine Arts In Honor Of Chadwick Boseman

The tragic death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has since been the subject of discussion. The vibrant actor and Howard University alumni passed away after battling Conor cancer for 4 years. Denzel Washington, who secretly paid for Chadwick Boseman’s studies, has joined other celebrities to tribute to the hero.

Howard University has also paid respect to Chadwick but fans want more. “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of alumnus Chadwick Boseman who passed away this evening,” Howard wrote in a statement via their Twitter page

“His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own personal journey from student to superhero! Rest in Power!” the University added. Fans dug out Chadwick Boseman’s inspirational message from his 2018 Howard University commencement speech. At the time, he was two years into his private stage 3 cancer fight.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of alumnus Chadwick Boseman who passed away this evening. His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own personal journey from student to superhero! Rest in Power!” @HUPrez17 pic.twitter.com/8TFBTM0tlm

— Howard University (@HowardU) August 29, 2020

Take two minutes for Chadwick Boseman’s inspirational message from his 2018 Howard University commencement speech. At the time, he was two years into his private stage 3 cancer fight. pic.twitter.com/2n8FzgS7fP

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 29, 2020

It’s also said that Chadwick refused to speak at Howard until the agreed to re-establish the College of Fine Arts that he protested for when they shifted it to departmental status in the 90s He demanded Fine Arts be built a new building.

However, fans have now launched a petition to name Howard University’s College of Fine Arts in Honor of Chadwick Boseman. The petition expected to get 7,500 signatures has already garnered over 5,000 as at now.

Chadwick refused to speak at Howard until the agreed to re-establish the College of Fine Arts that he protested for when they shifted it to departmental status in the 90s He demanded Fine Arts be built a new building. And Howard still has not done either of those things. I’m HURT

— chunky mama (@ViciousVibrato) August 29, 2020

“As 2020 continues to progress, we are faced with another immeasurable loss- the death of the acclaimed and beloved actor Chadwick Boseman,” a statement under the petition reads.

“Our prayers and positive thoughts are with his wife, family members, and friends during this extremely difficult time. Amongst other roles, Chadwick is well-known for his cinematic portrayal of iconic Black legends including Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, James Brown, and the wildly popular superhero King T’Challa from the movie Black Panther.”

The statement continues, “An alumnus of Howard University, Chadwick graduated in the year 2000 with a BFA in Directing. During his time at Howard, he was a vocal advocate to sustain the College of Fine Arts, rather than allow it to be minimized to the Division of Fine Arts and become absorbed by the College of Arts and Sciences.”

Chadwick Boseman was a proud member of Howard University’s Fine Arts family+a HUGE advocate for the ongoing reestablishment of the College of Fine Arts. Help us celebrate our alumnus by signing the petition to name the College of Fine Arts in his honor❤️💙https://t.co/3faRgJvUyZ

— Maya Louise Shed (@_mayalouise_) August 29, 2020

“He also participated in a multi-day protest in opposition of the university’s efforts. Though the students were unsuccessful at the time, change would come years later. When he returned to The Mecca to deliver the commencement speech for the class of 2018, Chadwick Boseman was a part of President Wayne A.I. Frederick’s announcement that the College of Fine Arts would be reinstated, and he was able to rally students together by once more sharing his support and advocacy for Howard’s Fine Arts community.

Understandably, the impact of COVID-19 has delayed the re-establishment of the College of Fine Arts, though transitory steps are still being taken. We petition the Howard University Board of Trustees and President Frederick to take the necessary steps to formally and seriously consider naming our new school the “Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts” in honor of our alumnus, hero, and advocate.”

“This is one small way for the Howard community to commemorate Chadwick Boseman and the love, loyalty, and immense talent that he shared with us and the world.”