I'm Laetitia La Follette, the chair of the
Department of the History of Art and
Architecture, and it gives me great
pleasure to share a few words in honor
of our amazing seniors. Seniors, you have
curated exhibitions on campus, at the
University Museum of Contemporary Art,
and in the Greenbaum Gallery. You have
participated in the museum educator
program at the University of Museum of
Contemporary Art introducing challenging
contemporary and modern art to the
general public. You've conducted
archaeological fieldwork, both in the
United States and abroad. And you've
investigated art and architecture both
locally here in New England,
nationally, and internationally in Italy
Germany, Britain, and beyond.
Wonderful class of 2020, the love of art
and architecture that has shaped your
studies as art history majors is going
to carry you for the rest of your lives.
In hard times and good, that love will be
a continuing source of inspiration, joy,
and wonder. No less important, the skills
of analysis, deep thinking, and creative
comparison that you have learned will
also translate well to whatever field of
endeavor you choose to pursue. As our
beloved undergraduate program director
Nancy Noble is fond of saying, "art
history is the study of everything." As we
congratulate you on these achievements,
let's be sure to take a moment to thank
your families and friends for their
unstinting support over the last four
years. And speaking on behalf of the
faculty, let me remind you that you are
always part of our art history family.
Stay in touch, reach out for advice and
letters of recommendation, come back and
see us. But now is the time for
celebration. We send you out into the
world with our blessing, knowing that you
will make it a better place.
