May 12, 2000

TRUSTEES APPROVE UPCOMING HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
University Park, Pa. — The Penn State Board of Trustees approved today (May 12) the conferral of honorary degrees to musician William "Billy" Taylor, actress Uta Hagen, and industrialist and philanthropist Kazuo Inamori at future University commencement ceremonies.

The approval was granted at the recommendation of Penn State President Graham B. Spanier and the University’s Honorary Degree Committee.

Taylor, a talented jazz musician, is considered the spokesperson for jazz in the United States. He has performed worldwide and composed a number of symphonies for jazz piano. He has also made major contributions to jazz education and broadcasting, and he represents the genré on the National Council on the Arts. Taylor will receive his honorary degree at Penn State’s summer commencement on August 5, 2000.

Hagen is a Tony Award-winning actress who has devoted her life to teaching and directing at the Herbert Berghof Studio, where she has been a faculty member since 1947. In 1983, she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame. She is currently chair of the Berghof Studio and the Herbert Berghof Playwrights Foundation. Hagen will receive her honorary degree at Penn State’s fall commencement on December 16, 2000.

Inamori is the founder and chairman emeritus of both the Kyocera Corporation and the DDI Corporation. He is also chairman emeritus of Taito Corporation and the current president of The Inamori Foundation, which provides grants to young scholars to pursue creative ideas in natural, human, and social sciences. Inamori will receive his honorary degree at Penn State’s spring commencement on May 12, 2001.

Contact: Tysen Kendig, Department of Public Information, (814) 865-7517 or .