The State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury has awarded Temple Africology and African American Studies Professor Molefi Kete Asante with its inaugural Presidential Medal. 

The newly minted prize is designed to recognize visionaries and leaders who epitomize SUNY Old Westbury’s mission and vision as an institution dedicated to excellence, equity and service.

SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy E. Sams, who studied under Asante while earning his PhD in African American Studies at Temple, presented the award at a ceremony held on April 29, 2026. The event also featured a presentation titled “AI and the African Vision,” wherein Asante framed the modern uptick in artificial intelligence development through the lens of African history and his own career experiences.

Congratulations to Dr. Asante on this well-deserved honor. Read more about the award and Asante’s selection the SUNY Old Westbury news page.