Message from the Dean
Dear Westphal Class of 2025,
Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Drexel’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design! During your time here, you’ve proven to be adept and innovative thinkers, makers, and leaders. You have impressed us with your creativity, your curiosity, your collaborative spirit, and your courage. On behalf of the entire Westphal community — the faculty and professional staff who have supported you, the classmates who shared your experiences, and our network of alumni around the world — we are so proud of you!
I can’t wait to personally greet you onstage at your Commencement ceremony this June. Congratulations again!
Sincerely,
Jason Schupbach
Dean
About the Keynote Speaker
James Poyser is a Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, and composer whose artistry has profoundly influenced modern soul, R&B, and hip-hop. Hailing from the United Kingdom and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, he is best known for his integral role in the legendary hip-hop band The Roots, the house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."
His extraordinary talent has allowed him to produce, write, and perform with a remarkable array of influential artists, including Mariah Carey, Adele, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Jay-Z, D’Angelo, Rihanna, Common, and John Legend, among many others. Poyser's distinctive musical style is characterized by a signature soulful touch, which has graced numerous critically acclaimed albums and landmark songs.
As a versatile musician, James has toured and performed across genres, evident in his role recently as the musical producer for the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Homecoming Concert. His accomplishments as a score composer for film & television includes projects such as "Long Bright River," "The Equalizer," “The 1619 Project,” "2 Distant Strangers," "Boxing Day," and "The Book of Clarence."
Beyond his professional achievements, James Poyser is a devoted family man, cherished by his loved ones for his qualities as an outstanding husband and father. He brings the same level of care, commitment, and creativity to his home life as he does to his music. Whether on stage, in the studio, or at home, James leads with heart, humility, and a profound love for his craft and family.
Don't Miss the University-Wide Commencement on June 12!
We hope you'll join us for this special event at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, June 12 at 5 p.m. ET. We look forward to celebrating our graduates at the University-wide Commencement ceremony, where our newest Forever Dragons will get the chance to participate in a procession around the baseball field and have their degrees conferred before being officially welcomed into the ranks of Drexel alumni.