Commencement: 2013-Present

Alvaro Keding/© AMNH

The Richard Gilder Graduate School (RGGS) has celebrated commencement under the Museum’s iconic Blue Whale since 2013, conferring Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Comparative Biology and, since 2015, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees. 

Every year, the school also awards honorary doctorates to scientists, educators, and civic and business leaders who embody the work and mission of the American Museum of Natural History. 

Honorary Degree Recipients

Commencements

Inaugural Convocation

*Commencement was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

The Museum expresses its utmost appreciation to Richard Gilder, a steadfast and most generous benefactor and friend whose visionary philanthropy enabled the Museum to establish the Richard Gilder Graduate School.

Additional support for the Richard Gilder Graduate School has been generously provided by the Hess Foundation, Inc.; an anonymous Museum Trustee; the City of New York; Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Gerstner Family Foundation; and the Annette Kade Charitable Trust. The MAT program has received generous founding support from Museum donor Kathryn W. Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund.