Howard University is honoring the late Chadwick Boseman in a big way.

On Wednesday (May 26), the historically Black university (HBCU) announced that the newly re-established college of fine arts, which is led by Dean Phylicia Rashad, will be named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.

Boseman’s family celebrated the news in a statement and expressed their gratitude for Howard President Wayne A.I. Fredrick and the Board of Trustees for honoring the alumnus. “Chad fought to preserve the College of Fine Arts during his matriculation at Howard and remained dedicated to the fight throughout his career, and he would be overjoyed by this development,” the family said.

“His time at Howard University helped shape both the man and the artist that he became, committed to truth, integrity and a determination to transform the world through the power of storytelling,” the Boseman family’s statement continued. “We are confident that under the dynamic leadership of his former professor and mentor the indomitable Phylicia Rashad that the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will inspire artistic scholars for many generations.”

Last August, Boseman sadly passed away at the age of 43 after silently fighting a four-year battle with colon cancer. The Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom actor died at his Los Angeles home with his wife and other family members by his side.

In 2000, Boseman graduated from Howard with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing. He returned to his alma mater in 2018 to give a moving commencement speech. The Black Panther actor was also given an honorary degree.

Simone Ledward-Boseman, wife of the late actor, said in a statement that she is “extremely pleased” that the school is honoring her husband.

“Chad was a very proud Bison — both Howard and Ms. Rashad played integral roles in his journey as an artist,” she said. “The re-establishment of the College of Fine Arts brings this part of his story full-circle and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for years to come.”