The late, great Chadwick Boseman was forever immortalized at Howard University, his alma mater. The prominent HBCU has named its newly established College of Fine Arts the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. This came after it became known that the new college is now headed by famous actress Phylicia Rashad as dean.
Unknown to most of the Rashad, Boseman also taught acting while attending HU. After his untimely death, Rashad spoke to People magazine about what it was like to teach Boseman in their acting class. “I remember his smile and his gentle manner,” she said in 2020. “I remember his infinite curiosity and love for learning, studying many things all the time.
Reported by Variety, Boseman’s family thanked Wayne AI Fredrick, President of Howard and Howard Board of Trustees, for the acclaimed Boseman honor. “Chad fought to receive the College of Fine Arts while enrolling with Howard and remained committed to the fight throughout his career. That development would make him overjoyed,” the family said in a statement. “His time at Howard University shaped both the man and the artist he has become. He is committed to truth, integrity, and a determination to change the world through the power of storytelling.”
The family also said they firmly believe that Rashad, who directs the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, “would inspire art scholars for generations.”
Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, released a statement saying how “delighted” she was that Howard named the School of Fine Arts in his honor and how “excited” she was that Rashad was the dean of the college now held a leading position.
“Chad was a very proud bison – both Howard and Ms. Rashad played important roles in his journey as an artist. The restoration of the College of Fine Arts closes the loop on this part of its history and ensures that its legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for years to come. “