Anthony W. Marx, Doctor of Humane Letters
In addition to the cheap thrill of being able to say that Amherst has been taken over by Marx, we gladly welcome you to the presidency of Williams’ younger sibling institution. We do so for your academic distinction. You have contributed new understanding into how nations form and of the roles played in that process by religion and race. We do so for your international perspective. Your time spent in South Africa and Brazil has been supplemented with service to international organizations, including as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. We do so also for your commitment to the education of American students from low-income families. You coordinated the development of university and school partnerships in Philadelphia, founded Columbia University’s Urban Educators Program, and Directed the Gates Early College/High School Initiative. You are dedicated now to enlarging Amherst’s commitments to low-income students and to the nation’s public school system — goals that are worth rising above sibling rivalry to embrace institutionally together.
I hereby declare you recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, entitled to all the rights, honors, and privileges appertaining thereto.
June 6, 2004
Morton Owen Schapiro
President of the College