Board Committee Academic Policy Documents B5 1
Board of Trustees of The City University of New York RESOLUTION I.B.5 TO Award an Honorary Degree at Commencement by the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism October 7, 2019 WHEREAS, journalist Masha Gessen is one of the keenest investigative reporters and observers of Russian politics and culture, as well as the present world of political life in the United States; and WHEREAS, Gessen, a staff writer at the New Yorker, is the author of ten books and countless articles for a variety of top journalistic outlets, including Slate, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Harper’s, The New York Review of Books, U.S. News & World Report, and The New Republic; and WHEREAS, their publications have been acknowledged with numerous awards, fellowships and other honors, including the 2017 National Book Award for The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia; and WHEREAS, the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism is committed to serving the public interest by cultivating the next generation of skilled, ethically minded, and diverse journalists, and Gessen represents the values to which the Newmark J-School holds true, and to which we hope our graduates aspire; and WHEREAS, in granting this degree, the Newmark J-School will recognize Gessen's extensive contributions to our understanding of Russia and the importance of free expression through insightful and provocative books, essays, and articles; and WHEREAS, the honorary degree will also recognize their commitment to a robust democratic life, an informed electorate, and an active fourth estate; and WHEREAS, with the Newmark's J-School's emphasis on investigative reporting and the importance of strong journalism that stands up to tyranny, Gessen is an ideal candidate for the first-ever honorary CUNY degree from the J-School NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY award Masha Gessen the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, at the school’s commencement ceremony on December 13, 2019.
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