Joy Connolly, president of the American Council of Learned Societies, delivers greetings during inauguration of Ben Vinson III at Howard University
Photo courtesy of Howard University

On Saturday, November 4, 2023, ACLS President Joy Connolly offered greetings on behalf of the learned societies at the inauguration convocation of Ben Vinson III as Howard University’s new president. The Howard University community and collegiate heads from across the country gathered at Cramton Auditorium to celebrate. Leaders from across academia lauded his Vinson’s leadership and expressed excitement about his capacity to elevate Howard to its next level.

From seeing him in action, I can say that he’s one of those rare human beings who thinks and works on always at least three levels at once. At a polarized and challenging time in higher education and across society, President Vinson is, and I know will continue to be, a swimmer and a bridgebuilder, creating the alliances that help students and faculty thrive. Joy Connolly

Remarks at the inauguration of Ben Vinson III

Ben Vinson III is a member of the the ACLS Commission on Fostering and Sustaining Diverse Digital Scholarship, and serves on the boards of the National Humanities Center and National Humanities Alliance with ACLS President Joy Connolly. He is a historian of the African diaspora with a focus on Black communities in Latin America. Vinson previously served as the vice dean for centers, interdisciplinary studies, and graduate education at Johns Hopkins University, as well as the founding director of its Center for Africana Studies. Following that, he was the dean of George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

ACLS President Joy Connolly with several female Howard University deans before the inauguration.
ACLS President Joy Connolly with Howard University deans at the inauguration, including Dana A. Williams, member of the ACLS Board of Directors and Dean of the Graduate School at Howard. Photo courtesy of Howard University.
Read the Full Story

“Photo Essay: The Presidential Inauguration of Dr. Ben Vinson III”

Howard University’s The Dig

Related News & Events