Honorees

Each year, at the Columbia College Chicago Commencement, we honor outstanding individuals in the arts, education, politics and public information, people who have engaged their great talents in important human service and whose life work and example embody the college's ideal and spirit.

The Offices of the President and the Vice President for Student Affairs are pleased to announce the distinguished honorees for the 2008 commencement ceremonies.

To be honored Saturday May 17 at 1:30 in the afternoon.

Dan Rather was born October 31, 1931 in the town of Wharton, Texas. Rather began his career in journalism at Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, TX, where he was editor of the school newspaper and worked part-time at a local radio station. Before he graduated from college, he worked for the Associated Press and United Press International as a field reporter. In 1961, he became a network correspondent when his coverage of Hurricane Carla for the local CBS station in Houston won him the attention of network affiliates. Working as a CBS correspondent at the time of the John F. Kennedy assassination, his steady, professional brand of journalism helped ease Americans through the tragedy. After covering such historical landmarks as the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate Scandal, Rather succeeded Walter Cronkite as anchor of the CBS Evening News, a position he held for a record 24 years while also serving as a correspondent for 48 Hours and 60 Minutes II. 

Rather is currently Chief Global Correspondent for HDNet, where he is Anchor and Managing Editor of the weekly news program “Dan Rather Reports.”

Rather has won virtually every prize in broadcast journalism, including numerous Emmy and Peabody Awards. He currently resides in New York City with his wife Jean, with whom he has two children.

Maurice White, Ralph Johnson, Philip Bailey, & Verdine White
of Earth, Wind & Fire
Renown Musicians and Recording Artists

To be honored Sunday May 18 at 10:00 in the morning.

Legendary band, Earth, Wind & Fire is among the most influential, commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the last three decades.   

Formed in 1969 in Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire’s 39-year history resulted in millions and millions of albums sold worldwide and distinguished awards and accolades.   

Founding members: Maurice White (leader, vocalist, songwriter); Philip Bailey (lead vocalist, percussionist); Verdine White (bassist); Ralph Johnson (drummer and percussionist) have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and are credited with eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, honors from the NAACP, the BET Awards and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  To this day, Earth, Wind & Fire remain one of the top globally popular touring attractions.

Earth, Wind & Fire’s signature sound and distinctive musical styles fuse pop, soul, jazz, rock n’ roll, psychedelic, African roots music and disco with a base in funk. Hit songs include “September,” “Shining Star,” “Fantasy,” and “Let’s Groove.”

Graciela Iturbide
Celebrated Photographer

To be honored Sunday May 18 at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Since entering the world of photography in 1970, Graciela Iturbide has been a leading influence on the world’s vision of contemporary Mexican culture. Born in Mexico City, Iturbide came to photography after marrying at the age of twenty and having three children, fulfilling the pressures of an upper-middle class family. She began her career with an apprenticeship under Manuel Alvarez Bravo, considered by many to be Mexico’s greatest photographer. His influence can be seen in her work with the indigenous people of her country. Her images focus on the balance of power between the ancient world and the modern one, exploring aspects such as identity, sexuality, rituals, death, and the role of women in daily life. Iturbide has recently expanded her work to include other cultures, bringing her understanding of the clash between rural and urban landscapes to the American South. Among her many honors and awards are Guggenheim Fellowship Award (1988) and the Premio de Acquisicion in the First Photography Biennial (1980).

Please follow the link below to view our past years' honorees.

http://www.lib.colum.edu/archives/honorarydegrees.php