President Obama Awards Local College Program

The White House has chosen a college in Dutchess County to receive an award which recognizes individuals and organizations whose work helps deepen the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizens’ engagement with history and literature, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to cultural resources.

The announcement made this week selects Bard Colleges' Clemente Course in the Humanities as one of the distinguished recipients of the 2014 National Humanities Medal. The program which has partnered with Bard College for over 20 years offers a tuition-free, college-level course in the humanities—philosophy, literature, U.S. history, art history, and critical thinking and writing—to adults living on low incomes who have limited access to college education in communities throughout the United States.

According to a release by Bard  the White House said the Clemente program was being honored “for improving the lives of disadvantaged adults. The Clemente Course has brought free humanities education to thousands of men and women, enriching their lives and broadening their horizons.”

College professor and Clemente Course Academic Director Marina van Zuylen will accept the award, on behalf of the Clemente Course, from President Obama at a White House ceremony on September 10th. The awards ceremony starts at 3pm and can be seen as it streams live at www.WhiteHouse.gov/live.