Jackie Chan and SCAD President Paula S. Wallace

Hong Kong -- Jackie Chan received an honorary professorship from the Savannah College of Art and Design for a lifetime of excellence in the cinematic arts and for nurturing others to pursue their own artistic dreams. SCAD President and Co-founder Paula S. Wallace named Chan as an honorary professor of performing arts at a reception in his honor Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Intercontinental Hotel, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

This marks the first time the college has awarded an honorary professorship.

According to Wallace, SCAD selected Chan to be the college's first honorary professor because he personifies SCAD's focus on preparing students for creative careers by weaving creative vision with technical mastery to transform artistic vision into professional expertise.

"Mr. Chan has never stopped learning and creating as an actor, director and producer," said Wallace. "He has spent a lifetime refining the artistic skills and techniques he first learned at the Peking Opera School, and is an inspiration for all who wish to pursue an artistic life, particularly SCAD students."