My alma mater annually grants distinguished individuals with what is described as the “highest award that the University of Southern California confers,” an honorary degree. Presented at the commencement ceremony, the doctorate is meant to recognize those who have shown exceptional achievement in “scholarship, the professions, or other creative activities,” alumni and others who have made extraordinary contributions to the university and/or their communities, those who have displayed outstanding philanthropy and “individuals who are widely known and highly regarded for achievements in their respective fields of endeavor.” With commencement just around the corner, I have decided to put forth my nomination for this mark of distinction to a man who has shown exceptional accomplishment in several elements of entertainment. I would for these reasons, like to nominate USC alumnus Ron Howard for an honorary doctoral degree in fine arts.
Howard has displayed incredible abilities in three distinct aspects of entertainment: directing, acting, and producing. An actor since childhood, Howard is best known for his roles in the film American Graffiti and on the hit television series Happy Days, for which he was honored with a Golden Globe Nomination. After attending USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts, Howard used his acting knowledge to pursue his passion in a successful directorial career. In 2001, he
received Academy Awards for both Best Director and Best Picture with the film A Beautiful Mind (the photo to the left shows him at the Oscars with long time collaborative partner, Brian Grazer). Actor Russell Crowe spoke of Howard, "It's great to work with a guy who understands the grave stones- the resonance of silence....He's a really great filmmaker." In addition to directing numerous successful projects, Howard has also produced many, including The Da Vinci Code, Cinderella Man and even the Emmy Award winning series Arrested Development. Although his complete list of accomplishments goes on, as displayed by the Internet Movie Database, Howard’s worthiness of this award reaches far beyond his well rounded list of credits. Particularly relevant is his connection and contribution to the University of Southern California’s film school.
Tucked in USC’s Robert Zemeckis Center for the Digital Arts is the Ron Howard Screening Room, named in his honor. Howard makes frequent appearances at the school as a guest lecturer and offers round table discussions for the students (he is
seen to the right with USC’s Division of Film & Television Production Chair Michael Taylor), while proving to be an incredible resource with the ability to address almost every facet of the industry. In 2002, Howard spoke to USC film school graduates about their industry of choice: “I can’t predict the course or outcome of any of your careers, but I can do this. I can predict some particular emotions that I know you’ll feel.” Just last month, Howard returned to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. James Tella’s article about the evening reads, “Howard told the audience that his discovery of the real power of ideas and analysis of stories stemmed from his time at USC, saying that his classroom experience helped him understand the medium as an art form.” By donating his time to the University, Howard is giving back to the community that aided in his success. This is one of the admirable qualities desired for an honorary degree recipient.
The lecture described above was an evening on collaborative filmaking. Through a series of anecdotes, Howard emphasized teamwork, a skill necessary to not only filmmaking but nearly every field of endeavor. Those awarded an honorary degree speak to graduates at commencement. If Ron Howard were chosen, collaboration would be the emphasis of his speech. In an interview with the Academy of Achievement, Howard again touched upon the important quality, "I think the healthiest king of balance is one where you have the confidence to continue to engage... [but] try to maintain the humility to listen to those who speak up and say, 'I think you're making a mistake.'" Howard engages his audience, with a playful boyish demeanor, but has substance to his material. Russell Crowe said, "I think it's funny that he has the whole world fooled that he's just a simple, easy going guy. Where that's part of his nature, it's a very inefficient definition of Ron Howard. He's a very deep thinker." Howard’s emphasis on education and his ability to bring life lessons from his successful career will surely prove beneficial and intriguing to graduates and those attending commencement.
President emeritus of the University of Iowa and Dartmouth College, James Freedman, emphasized the importance of carefully selecting those on whom this prestigious award is conferred, “In bestowing an honorary degree [of which there is a long tradition in American higher education], a university makes an explicit statement to its students and the world about the qualities of character and attainment it admires most.” In his opinion the degree should emphasize sublime achievement and should not be used for the purpose of flattering “generous donors and prospective benefactors” or to award “mere celebrities—who are often famous principally for being famous.” Although Howard may be considered a celebrity, as well as a generous USC donor, his achievements reach far beyond these characteristics. He has realized tremendous accomplishments in the field of fine arts, and shared his success with the university and its students. Ron Howard seems an obvious choice for this esteemed honor.
Howard has displayed incredible abilities in three distinct aspects of entertainment: directing, acting, and producing. An actor since childhood, Howard is best known for his roles in the film American Graffiti and on the hit television series Happy Days, for which he was honored with a Golden Globe Nomination. After attending USC’s prestigious School of Cinematic Arts, Howard used his acting knowledge to pursue his passion in a successful directorial career. In 2001, he
received Academy Awards for both Best Director and Best Picture with the film A Beautiful Mind (the photo to the left shows him at the Oscars with long time collaborative partner, Brian Grazer). Actor Russell Crowe spoke of Howard, "It's great to work with a guy who understands the grave stones- the resonance of silence....He's a really great filmmaker." In addition to directing numerous successful projects, Howard has also produced many, including The Da Vinci Code, Cinderella Man and even the Emmy Award winning series Arrested Development. Although his complete list of accomplishments goes on, as displayed by the Internet Movie Database, Howard’s worthiness of this award reaches far beyond his well rounded list of credits. Particularly relevant is his connection and contribution to the University of Southern California’s film school.Tucked in USC’s Robert Zemeckis Center for the Digital Arts is the Ron Howard Screening Room, named in his honor. Howard makes frequent appearances at the school as a guest lecturer and offers round table discussions for the students (he is
seen to the right with USC’s Division of Film & Television Production Chair Michael Taylor), while proving to be an incredible resource with the ability to address almost every facet of the industry. In 2002, Howard spoke to USC film school graduates about their industry of choice: “I can’t predict the course or outcome of any of your careers, but I can do this. I can predict some particular emotions that I know you’ll feel.” Just last month, Howard returned to USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. James Tella’s article about the evening reads, “Howard told the audience that his discovery of the real power of ideas and analysis of stories stemmed from his time at USC, saying that his classroom experience helped him understand the medium as an art form.” By donating his time to the University, Howard is giving back to the community that aided in his success. This is one of the admirable qualities desired for an honorary degree recipient.The lecture described above was an evening on collaborative filmaking. Through a series of anecdotes, Howard emphasized teamwork, a skill necessary to not only filmmaking but nearly every field of endeavor. Those awarded an honorary degree speak to graduates at commencement. If Ron Howard were chosen, collaboration would be the emphasis of his speech. In an interview with the Academy of Achievement, Howard again touched upon the important quality, "I think the healthiest king of balance is one where you have the confidence to continue to engage... [but] try to maintain the humility to listen to those who speak up and say, 'I think you're making a mistake.'" Howard engages his audience, with a playful boyish demeanor, but has substance to his material. Russell Crowe said, "I think it's funny that he has the whole world fooled that he's just a simple, easy going guy. Where that's part of his nature, it's a very inefficient definition of Ron Howard. He's a very deep thinker." Howard’s emphasis on education and his ability to bring life lessons from his successful career will surely prove beneficial and intriguing to graduates and those attending commencement.
President emeritus of the University of Iowa and Dartmouth College, James Freedman, emphasized the importance of carefully selecting those on whom this prestigious award is conferred, “In bestowing an honorary degree [of which there is a long tradition in American higher education], a university makes an explicit statement to its students and the world about the qualities of character and attainment it admires most.” In his opinion the degree should emphasize sublime achievement and should not be used for the purpose of flattering “generous donors and prospective benefactors” or to award “mere celebrities—who are often famous principally for being famous.” Although Howard may be considered a celebrity, as well as a generous USC donor, his achievements reach far beyond these characteristics. He has realized tremendous accomplishments in the field of fine arts, and shared his success with the university and its students. Ron Howard seems an obvious choice for this esteemed honor.
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