Nicholas Dirks, chancellor-designate of University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia’s former executive vice president for Arts and Sciences, will deliver the keynote speech at the School of General Studies’ Class Day.
Dirks—who stepped down in November after being chosen to lead Berkeley—served for eight years as EVP for Arts and Sciences, one of the University’s top administrative roles.
Dirks earned a Ph.D. in South Asian history from the University of Chicago and has served as a faculty member at the California Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, and the London School of Economics. He has received several academic honors, including a residential fellowship at Princeton University, a Guggenheim fellowship, and the Lionel Trilling Book Award.
Dirks’ support of General Studies, in addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, made him an ideal choice for keynote speaker, GS Dean Peter Awn said in a statement. GS is one of the schools within Columbia’s Arts and Sciences unit that Dirks oversaw.
“Throughout his tenure at Columbia, Professor Dirks has played a leading role in the advancement of the School of General Studies,” Awn said. “He is a true friend and supporter of GS, and I am honored that he will be addressing us at our Class Day.”
GS Class Day, which will feature Dirks as well as the GS valedictorian and two salutatorians, will begin at 9 a.m. on May 20.
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