Speeches and Remarks

November 30, 2018
President Roger H. Brown Delivers His Annual State of the College and Conservatory Address

September 2, 2018
President Roger H. Brown Delivers the Convocation Address

May 12, 2018
Beth Njoki Mwangi: 2018 Commencement Student Address
President Roger H. Brown Introduces 2018 Honorary Doctorate Recipient Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding: 2018 Commencement Address
President Roger H. Brown Introduces 2018 Honorary Doctorate Recipient Nile Rodgers
President Roger H. Brown Introduces 2018 Honorary Doctorate Recipient Rosanne Cash

May 1, 2018
Message from Senior Leadership: Progress Report: Training and Dialogue and Campus Culture
As the semester draws to a close, senior leadership updates the community on our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and our efforts to improve the culture at Berklee.

April 4, 2018
A Message from the President: Updates on Our Vision for 2025
President Roger H. Brown provides an update on the progress Berklee has made toward achieving its vision for 2025 in a variety of areas.

March 6, 2018
Message from Senior Leadership: Progress Update on Equity Policy and Case Reviews
Senior leadership updates the Berklee community on work with external Title IX specialist Jody Shipper, equity policy, case reviews, and privacy and reporting. 

February 16, 2018
Message from Senior Leadership: Progress Update on Working Group, New Hires, and Training
Senior leadership updates the Berklee community on the activities of the Working Group; new hires in diversity and inclusion, equity, counseling, and health and wellness; and upcoming trainings for faculty, staff, and students.

January 22, 2018
Welcome Back
President Roger H. Brown welcomes the community back after winter break and comments on why it is important that the work to address harassment and misconduct connects to Berklee's Diversity and Inclusion Framework.

December 14, 2017
Progress Report: Working Group and Process Timeline
Senior leadership provides an update on the working group and timeline created to address misconduct and harassment at Berklee.

December 5, 2017
Progress Report: Student Engagement Opportunities
Senior leadership updates students on how they can get involved in helping Berklee further its goal of inclusion and respect for all community members.

November 17, 2017
Key Roles and Additional Resources
Senior leadership updates the community on the progress Berklee has made toward the goal of addressing sexual misconduct. Learn about the key roles that will strengthen Berklee's Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Counseling Services. 

November 14, 2017
Next Steps: Our Commitment to Providing a Safe and Supportive Campus Environment
President Roger H. Brown responds to the forum on Monday, November 13 about stopping sexual harassment and misconduct within the College and Conservatory communities. Learn about Berklee's commitment to preventing these incidents and what specific steps the institution will take to ensure that Berklee is safe and nurturing for every student.

November 3, 2017
State of the College and Conservatory Address
President Brown delivers an update on the state of the College and Conservatory where he discusses trends in the industry and how Berklee is responding.

September 4, 2017
Announcing BerkleeNYC
President Brown announces the establishment of a center for Berklee in New York at the historic Power Station Studios in New York City.

September 2017
Speed of Sound Video
Berklee reflects on its accomplishments over the past 10 years.

August 17, 2017
Reflections on the Protest and Violence in Charlottesville
In a letter to the community, President Brown condemns hateful thinking and violence, and asks the community to join him in recommitting to our ideals.

July 13, 2017
Announcing the Diversity and Inclusion Framework
Senior leadership announces Berklee's Diversity and Inclusion Framework, outlining five key areas on which Berklee will focus its forthcoming work.

June 6, 2017
Announcing Cathy Young as Executive Director, Boston Conservatory at Berklee

May 13, 2017
Honorary Doctorate Introductions
President Brown introduces honorary degree recipients Shin Joong Hyun, Neil Portnow, Lionel Richie, Lucinda Williams, and Todd Rundgren.

May 13, 2017
Todd Rundgren: 2017 Commencement Address

May 13, 2017
Lionel Richie: 2017 Commencement Address

Updated: March 2017
The Affordability Conundrum
President Brown writes about the challenges of affordability in higher education and how Berklee is addressing them.

February 28, 2017
Berklee’s Response to the Immigration Policy
Senior leadership addresses the travel ban imposed on January 27 and reaffirms Berklee's values.

November 21, 2016
Affirming Our Commitment to Creating a Safe and Inclusive Campus Environment
In the wake of the range of emotions the recent presidential election sparked, President Brown urges students, faculty, and staff to continue to embrace and honor our responsibilities as a community.

November 9, 2016
Reflections on the 2016 Presidential Election
President Brown challenges the Berklee community to turn their attention to creating a community that supports all of its members and helps each one of us grow to become the best that we can be.

November 2016
State of the College and Conservatory
In President Brown's first annual presentation post-merger with the Boston Conservatory, he shares insights on the combined institution’s current status and on the developing strategic plan to achieve milestones outlined in the Vision for 2025.

June 1, 2016
A Transformational Moment
In a letter to alumni, President Brown announces the merger of the Boston Conservatory and Berklee.

May 7, 2016
Commencement Remarks
President Brown introduces honorary degree recipients Lucian Grainge, the Isley Brothers, Milton Nascimento, and Rita Moreno.

May 7, 2016
Rita Moreno’s Commencement Remarks

April 2016
Refugee of Sound Album Dedication
President Brown submits album notes for Refugio del Sonido (Refugee of Sound), a project led by Javier Limón to raise awareness for the refugee crisis.

March 24, 2016
Bill Cosby’s Honorary Degree
In a letter to the community, President Brown announces that the college’s Board of Trustees has voted to rescind the honorary degree presented to Bill Cosby in 2004.

November 17, 2015
Let’s Stand Together to Build a Better Community
In the wake of the tragedy in Paris, President Brown writes to the community to express the college's commitment to making Berklee a place where everyone respects the inherent dignity of each individual and understands that discrimination, sexual violence, and harassment have no place in our campus community.

October 6, 2015
State of the College
In a presentation to the community, President Brown discusses the interoperability of Berklee's ecosystem.

May 9, 2015
Commencement Remarks
President Brown introduces honorary degree recipients Julio Iglesias, Harvey Mason, Doug Morris, and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

May 9, 2015
Dee Dee Bridgewater’s Commencement Address