Howard University President Inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

By Ashley Brown

In a notable recognition of his contributions to scholarship and leadership, Dr. Ben Vinson III, president of Howard University, has been formally inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Arts & Sciences. This honor places him among an elite cohort of 250 new members. The Academy chooses members from diverse fields within five divisions: Mathematical and Physical Sciences; Biological Sciences; Social and Behavioral Sciences; Humanities and Arts; and Leadership, Policy, and Communications.

Joining the Academy’s Class of 2024

The 2024 class features an array of distinguished individuals, including New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie, renowned actor and producer George Clooney, and celebrated Olympian and philanthropist Grant Hill. President Vinson’s induction underscores his significant role in academia. This recognition extends Howard’s legacy of influence within the Academy, joining previous Bison inductees.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences,” remarked President Vinson. “I look forward to engaging with such an esteemed group of thought leaders and visionaries in advancing scholarship that addresses some of the most complex issues facing our nation.”

Dr. Vinson became the 18th president of Howard University in September 2023. He is a renowned historian specializing in the African diaspora, particularly in Latin America. His acclaimed work, *Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico*, was awarded the 2019 Howard F. Cline Book Prize in Mexican History. Beyond his role at Howard University, he contributes to the Academy’s Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship and chairs its subcommittee on higher education.

Fellowships from leading organizations, including the Fulbright Commission, National Humanities Center, Social Science Research Council, and the Ford, Rockefeller, and Mellon foundations have bolstered Vinson’s extensive academic journey.

Founded in 1780 by such luminaries as John Adams and John Hancock, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences has a storied mission: to celebrate the life of the mind and advance knowledge in the arts and sciences for the benefit of society. Throughout its history, the Academy has welcomed numerous influential figures, including Albert Einstein, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Madeleine Albright.