• Print

• Comments

UB’s commencement in 1989 coincided with the 75th anniversary of the founding of the College of Arts and Sciences. At the general commencement ceremony on May 21, a SUNY honorary doctor of letters was conferred on novelist J.M. (John Maxwell) Coetzee. Composer Philip Glass was awarded an honorary doctor of music.

President Steven B. Sample noted the acclaim of Coetzee’s novels, which, he said, address “the intense social problems of South African society” and the writer’s “brilliant use of symbolism and insightful perception of the motives which underlie the cruel treatment of one human being by another.” Coetzee is pictured above on the left with Sample.

Sample described Glass as “one of the most exciting and innovative composers of contemporary music in the world,” noting “his current embrace of classical, rock, jazz and fusion styles” and his “bold contributions to the world of music.”

Coetzee and Glass later created artistic synergy in 2005 with the premier of Glass’ first grand opera titled and based on Coetzee’s eponymous 1980 novel “Waiting for the Barbarians.”

Considered one of the most influential composers of the late 20th century, Glass’ repertoire includes operas, symphonies, concertos, string quartets, solo works and film scores. His score for “The Hours” (2002) received the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ music award.

Coetzee received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003, and also was awarded Britain’s Booker Prize twice for “Life & Times of Michael K.” (1983) and “Disgrace” (1999).

—Judith Adams-Volpe, University Libraries