The Schnitzer Legacy

PNCA is greatly saddened at the passing of civic leader, philanthropist and friend of the College Harold Schnitzer. Just last week, PNCA’s faculty voted unanimously to award Doctor of Arts Causa degrees to Harold and Arlene Schnitzer at this year’s Commencement ceremony on May 22. The honorary degrees, the highest PNCA or any art institution may offer, are in recognition of the extraordinary vision, leadership and support they have given the College and, more fundamentally, the broader artists’ community.

“PNCA has lost a great friend,” said President Tom Manley. “Harold consistently offered keen advice and generous support and no one has been more direct, sincere and on point than his counsel. I realized early on in my tenure that for Harold the success of PNCA was personal.”

“Personal because so many of our students, as they moved on in their careers, became part of the larger Northwest arts community that Harold and Arlene cared for deeply.”