New School University held its 68th commencement ceremony last Friday at the Theater at Madison Square Garden. At left, New School President Bob Kerrey, right, conferred an honorary degree on artist Chuck Close. At right, a student enjoyed the graduation. Theodore Sorensen, former special counsel and advisor to President John F. Kennedy, was commencement speaker and received an honorary degree. Also receiving honorary degrees were fashion designer Donna Karan, composer William Bolcom, anthropologist/choreographer Katherine Dunham and Peter G. Peterson, chairperson of the Blackstone Group. Ami Ayalon and Sari Nusseibeh received the University in Exile award for their work as founders of “The People’s Voice,” a new initiative for peace in Israel based on the “two states for two peoples” formula. Ayalon is former director of Shin-Beit, Israel’s domestic security agency. Nusseibeh has been president of Al Quds University in Jerusalem since 1995.
