Brown University will bestow honorary degrees on a diverse group of scholars, community leaders, activists and artists during its 250th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 27. Sting and Trudie Styler are among two of seven candidates named.
At its 250th Commencement on Sunday, May 27, Brown University will confer honorary doctorates on seven candidates who have achieved great distinction in a variety of fields. The candidates include Sting and Trudie Styler.
Sting
Singer-songwriter, author and activist
Doctor of Humane Letters
One of the world’s most distinctive musicians, Sting formed the pioneering British rock band The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers in 1977. The band released five studio albums, earned six Grammy Awards and two BRIT Awards and, in 2003, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
As a solo artist, Sting has earned an additional 10 Grammy Awards, two BRIT Awards, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, four Oscar nominations, a Tony nomination, Billboard magazine’s Century Award and the MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year award. He has sold close to 100 million albums from his combined work with The Police and as a solo artist. He has appeared in more than 15 films and on Broadway.
He is the author of a memoir, “Broken Music,” and “Lyrics,” a comprehensive collection of lyrics accompanied by personal commentary and photos.
With his wife, Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people who live within them. Together, they have held 18 benefit concerts, raising funds and awareness for the planet’s endangered resources.
Trudie Styler
Actress, activist and UNICEF U.K. ambassador
Doctor of Humane Letters
Trudie Styler is an actress, film producer, director, human rights activist, environmentalist and UNICEF U.K. ambassador.
In 1989, along with her husband, Sting, Styler founded the Rainforest Fund, an organization devoted to protecting rainforests and the indigenous people who live within them. Her efforts have aided in expanding the fund’s work in 18 countries across four continents. Since 1991, Styler has produced the charity’s regular benefit concert at Carnegie Hall, raising more than $37.5 million.
As an ambassador for UNICEF, Styler has been responsible for raising $5 million for its programs and remains committed to working to improve the lives of impoverished and exploited children all over the world.
Styler studied drama at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and later joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has numerous stage, film and television credits. For 20 years, Styler’s production company, Xingu Films, championed first-time writing and directing talent. In 2011, she co-founded Maven Pictures, with the mission to promote female talent and diversity in the film industry. Styler’s debut feature film as a director, “Freak Show,” was released in January 2018.
More information can be found here.
