'Although he did not live to see those plans through to fruition, it is my honor to ensure his legacy lives on,' Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick says in the announcement.

• May 27, 2021

AceShowbiz - Chadwick Boseman is getting the ultimate honor from his alma mater. Almost nine months after "Black Panther" star lost his battle with colon cancer, it was announced that Howard University's newly reestablished College of Fine Arts will be named after him.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, May 26, the university announced that its fine arts college will be renamed to Chadwick A. Bossman College of Fine Arts. The actor graduated from the university in 2000 with a bachelor's of arts degree in directing. He also earned an honorary doctorate and gave a stirring commencement following the release of his "Black Panther" back in 2018.

"Chad fought to preserve the College of Fine Arts during his matriculation at Howard and remained dedicated to the fight throughout his career, and he would be overjoyed by this development," the actor's family said in a statement. They added, "His time at Howard University helped shape both the man and the artist that he became."

The family of the "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" star elaborated further, "Committed to truth, integrity, and a determination to transform the world through the power of storytelling." They continued, "We are confident that under the dynamic leadership of his ormer professor and mentor the indomitable Phylicia Rashad that the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will inspire artistic scholars for many generations."

The late actor's wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, also shared her support and expressed her pride in the decision to rename the school after her late husband. "I am extremely pleased that Howard University has chosen to honor my husband in this way and elated that Ms. Rashad has accepted the role as Dean," she said.

"Chad was a very proud Bison - both Howard and Ms. Rashad played integral roles in his journey as an artist," she stated. "The re-establishment of the College of Fine Arts brings this part of his story full-circle and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for years to come."

Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick remembered Chadwick fondly in his statement. "When Chadwick Boseman returned to campus in 2018 to serve as our commencement speaker, he called Howard a magical place. During his visit, I announced our plans to reestablish the College of Fine Arts and he was filled with ideas and plans to support the effort in a powerful way," he recalled.

"Chadwick's love for Howard University was sincere, and although he did not live to see those plans through to fruition, it is my honor to ensure his legacy lives on through the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts with the support of his wife and the Chadwick Boseman Foundation," he added. "I'm also elated to have the support of The Walt Disney Company's Executive Chairman Bob Iger, who has graciously volunteered to lead the fundraising effort to build a state-of-the art facility and endowment for the college."

Chadwick passed away at the age of 43in August 2020 after years of secret battle with colon cancer. At the time, his family confirmed the heartbreaking news by saying, "It is with immeasurable grief that we confirm the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, and battled with it these last 4 years as it progressed to stage IV."