Dr. Polett Brown Hinds is honored as an honorary doctor

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Last updated May 9, 2022 from BVN

SE Williams

On Thursday, May 5, California State University President Dr. Thomas D. Morales hosted an intimate reception for family and friends of Black Voice news publisher Dr. Polett Brown-Hinds at the Spanish Art Gallery downtown Riverside’s Mission Inn.

(Photo: Jon Gaede)

Attendees gathered not only to celebrate the many achievements of the Brown-Hinds, but also in recognition of her speedy award of the Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by the Board of Trustees of the University of California.

Each year, each CSU campus may nominate no more than two honorary candidates to the Board of Trustees. The members of the CSU Board of Trustees then make the final decision on these awards.

Strict selection process

The process of selecting a candidate for this award is rigorous and lengthy. As for the Brown-Hinds, the selection process began last fall when members of the university community and the general public presented the names of possible honorary title holders.

22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— A reception was held in honor of Polett Brown-Hinds ’90, Founder, Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of the Humanities of San Bernardino 2021-22. at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Photo by Corinne McCurdy / CSUSB
22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— A reception was held in honor of Polett Brown-Hinds ’90, Founder, Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of the Humanities of San Bernardino 2021-22. at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Photo by Corinne McCurdy / CSUSB
22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— A reception was held in honor of Polett Brown-Hinds ’90, Founder, Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of the Humanities of San Bernardino 2021-22. at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Photo by Corinne McCurdy / CSUSB
22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— A reception was held in honor of Polett Brown-Hinds ’90, Founder, Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of the Humanities of San Bernardino 2021-22. at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Photo by Corinne McCurdy / CSUSB
22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— (left to right) Thomas D. Morales, President of the University of California, San Bernardino, and Flight Brown Hinds ’90, Founder of Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News— The reception was held in honor Flight of the Brown Hinds ’90, founder, publisher and company of Voice Media Ventures, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of Humanities San Bernardino 2021-22, at the Mission Inn in Riverside, CA, Thursday, May 5, 2022 Photo by Corinne McCardy / CSUSB
22-05-05-RIVERSIDE— A reception was held in honor of Polett Brown-Hinds ’90, Founder, Voice Media Ventures and Publisher, Black Voice News and the University of California, Honorary Doctor of the Humanities of San Bernardino 2021-22. at the Mission Inn in Riverside, California, on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Photo by Corinne McCurdy / CSUSB

The materials were then reviewed by the Honorary Degrees Committee. “Candidates are selected by a special commission set up by the faculty senate executive committee,” explained Joe Gutierrez of the CSUSB’s Office of Strategic Communications. The committee consists of a vice-rector or commissioner, five lecturers (one from each college), a library staff member and a representative of the university development office.

During this process, committee members are free to consult with additional faculty or others who are particularly familiar with the candidate’s (candidates ’) achievements or with the areas in which they have made their assessment. The committee also collects materials in support of elected officials.

Dr. Polett Brown Hinds (back row, third left) and family. (Photo by Jon Gaede)

By December 1, 2021, the committee had sent its Brown-Hinds selection and supporting material to the university president, who passed the recommendation to the board of trustees for final selection.

In 2014, Hardy Brown Sr., the father of the Brown Hinds and honored publisher of Black Voice News, was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the CSU system, making them the first father and daughter to be awarded the California State University system since the 1963 award.

The ceremony began

The honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities will be awarded to Brown-Hinds during the opening ceremony at the University of California, San Bernardino on May 21, 2022.

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