University of Iowa Grant Wood student Elizabeth Catlett receives honorary doctorate with Al Gore at Carnegie Mellon

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More recent photo of Elizabeth Catlett here.

From Carnegie Mellon University:

Former U.S. Vice President and 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore will speak at Carnegie Mellon University's 111th commencement ceremony at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 18 in Gesling Stadium on the university campus. ..."I'm pleased to accept an honorary degree from such a prestigious and 'green' university along with so many leaders from diverse fields," said Gore, who will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from Carnegie Mellon.Gore will share the commencement platform with five other honorary degree recipients. ...A famed artist and sculptor, Catlett's distinguished career in art and academia spans seven decades. Her body of work expresses her dedication to social justice, especially the rights of minorities and women. Catlett earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her

"I'm pleased to accept an honorary degree from such a prestigious and 'green' university along with so many leaders from diverse fields," said Gore, who will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters from Carnegie Mellon.

Gore will share the commencement platform with five other honorary degree recipients. ...

Elizabeth Catlett, Doctor of Fine Arts

A famed artist and sculptor, Catlett's distinguished career in art and academia spans seven decades. Her body of work expresses her dedication to social justice, especially the rights of minorities and women. Catlett earned her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her master's from the University of Iowa, where she studied with the iconic American artist Grant Wood, who encouraged her interest in the medium of sculpture. Known for her abstract sculpture in bronze and marble as well as prints and paintings, Catlett is unique for distilling African American, Native American and Mexican art in her work. Her works have been exhibited around the world and are found in the most distinguished art museums in the nation. ...

And more from another Carnegie Mellon University page:

"In bestowing upon her the honorary degree of doctor of fine arts we recognize her and her life's work," said Hilary Robinson, the Stanley and Marcia Gumberg Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon. "In hosting an exhibition of her work alongside the exhibition of the graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts Class of 2008 we pay our own homage to her. Her story is one of grace, determination and achievement in equal measure." ...

For additional information about (Alice) Elizabeth Catlett and her works, visit this post from UI's Digital Library Services, which includes links to 28 scanned prints and a 2003 interview for UI's alumni magazine. Catlett was 88 at that time.