Dear Orange Friends:
Last week I was fortunate to attend a symposium to celebrate the work and legacy of Professor Mĩcere Gĩthae Mũgo. Tributes honoring Professor Mũgo as she prepares to retire from Syracuse have streamed in from around the world. Among the attendees at Friday’s event was the Honorable Willy Mutunga, the Chief Justice of Kenya, Professor Mũgo’s native country.
The symposium , titled “The Tireless Pursuit,” was a fitting tribute to such a richly multifaceted life. Community activists, artists, and colleagues from around the world celebrated Professor Mũgo’s impact through lectures, panel discussions, music, poetry, and stories.
The accolades are well deserved. A Meredith Professor in the Department of African American Studies, Professor Mũgo represents that which makes Syracuse special. She is a world-renowned poet, playwright, scholar, activist, and teacher, and her impact has been extraordinary. She has elevated understanding of Africa’s past and appreciation for its present, and used knowledge as a tool for justice. She has taught the power of the spoken word and the arts to foster understanding and drive change. She has lived a remarkable, courageous life.
Professor Mũgo has made Syracuse a better place. Her legacy will live on through her students and her colleagues. It was a wonderful celebration of a glorious career. I am thankful to have had the chance to participate.
Sincerely,
Chancellor Kent Syverud