May 22 marked the 320th Commencement ceremony for Yale University in which the college’s 2021 graduating class of undergraduate, professional, and graduate students gathered to be recognized for their latest academic accomplishment, Yale News reports.
Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay was among those who were honored where she received an honorary doctorate degree from the university. She is now considered to be a Doctor of Fine Arts.
“Creator and critic, you portray the richness and variety of human experience from all angles. By elevating others, you bring new stories into focus and amplify voices we need to hear,” Yale released in a tribute statement to DuVernay. “Hollywood maverick, for challenging us to reckon with our past and our present, and for working to change both an industry and society, Yale is pleased to confer on you this Doctor of Fine Arts degree.”
Following the ceremony, DuVernay shared a photo of her new degree on her social media pages and wrote in a caption, “My thanks to the special committee at @Yale for this honor. My mom is over the moon and has taken to calling me Dr. DuVernay. Hope that wears off. But the joy of your high regard will not. A thrill to share this with the formidable Class of 2021 and my esteemed fellow honorees.”
