LEWISTON — A photojournalist, a Grammy-winning musician and a human rights lawyer are among those who are to receive honorary degrees next month at Bates College’s commencement.

Human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson, whose work has freed wrongly convicted prisoners on death row, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree Sunday, May 27.

Stevenson has fought against racial and economic inequities in the U.S. criminal justice system for more than three decades.

As founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, Stevenson has dedicated himself to exonerating innocent inmates on death row, reducing excessive sentences given to others and challenging the convictions of individuals unjustly prosecuted as adult offenders, including children and the mentally ill.

At its 152nd commencement, Bates will also confer honorary degrees on:

• Lynsey Addario, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist who has documented the human impact of war and conflict around the world. She will receive a doctor of humane letters degree.

• Jill Lepore, an intellectual and political historian, Harvard professor and staff writer at The New Yorker, who reveals the present through explorations of the past. She will receive a doctor of humane letters degree.

• Bob Ludwig of Portland, who has won many Grammy Awards as a mastering engineer and influential member of the music industry. He will receive a doctor of music degree.

“These four inspiring individuals live and work with integrity, commitment and purpose,” Bates President Clayton Spencer said.

“Each in his or her own way has opened new worlds to others. We are thrilled to welcome this brilliant class of honorands to Bates.”

Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who has fought against racial and economic inequities in the U.S. criminal justice system for more than three decades, will deliver Bates College’s commencement address May 27. (Contributed photo)

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