John Poon’s life as a painter has been a steady, 35-year exploration of the American landscape. A graduate of Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Poon’s career eventually came full circle when he returned to his alma mater—first as an instructor of Drawing and Painting and later as the Director of Foundations. In that role, he found a deep sense of purpose in guiding students through the technical fundamentals that remain the bedrock of his own practice today.
Read Poon’s full bio at AcademyArt.edu.
Poon was bestowed an honorary doctorate by Academy of Art University at this year’s Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 14. He delivered the following speech to this year’s class of graduating students.
It’s an honor to stand before you today. President Stephens, selection committee, faculty, staff, families, and friends, thank you. And to the graduating class of 2026, what a joy it is to share this triumphant day with you.
Receiving this honorary doctorate is a distinction I accept with deep gratitude and humility. An honor like this is never earned alone. It reflects the teachers who challenged us, the colleagues who stood by us, and the communities that shaped us.
To the faculty and staff: Your dedication is the quiet architecture behind every success story that begins on this campus. Thank you for the care and commitment you bring to nurturing the talents of the next generation.
And to the families and supporters: The journey to graduation owes much to your encouragement and sacrifices. Today, we celebrate not only their achievement but also all you’ve given to make it possible.
I’m reminded that we all, at times, rely on help from others, sometimes as family, sometimes as strangers. Years ago, while driving home from Colorado to Utah after a long week at an art show, I saw a family pulled over on the side of the highway. What was meant to be a brief stop ended up as nearly three hours waiting on a tow truck together that afternoon.
During those hours, I realized we came from very different circumstances. The father told me he ran his own business and that, while most of the men in his family had spent time in the penitentiary, he had chosen a different path. His sister was wary at first, unsure why a stranger would use his own AAA membership to try and help them. But as we talked, things became more comfortable. We spoke about Utah, how the desert looked drab at midday but came alive in the evening light, now turning everything golden. I pointed to a ridge glowing with the late afternoon sun and said, “See how beautiful?” The father looked for a long moment and then said, “It’s peaceful here.” I said, “Yes, it is.”
We spent the rest of the time simply talking, asking questions, sharing stories, and finding common ground in an unexpected place.
When the tow truck finally arrived and we said our goodbyes, his brother-in-law tapped his chest and asked me a quiet, earnest question: “How do I go about finding heart?” he said. I realized then that what we’re given—help, kindness, a chance—is something we’re meant to pass on.
That idea, passing something good along, was a piece of wisdom that was shared with me when I was a student here at the Academy by my old department director, Bill Maughan. He said, “John, the greatest reason for having a gift is to help others develop theirs.” That was more than thirty years ago, and I have carried those words with me ever since.
To the graduates: You’re stepping into a world that needs your talent, certainly, but it needs your heart even more. Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
• Stay open to surprises; sometimes the best chapters start when you least expect them.
• Hold onto your values; they are what you’ll need most when things get hard.
• And be generous. Success isn’t just what we achieve; it’s who we help along the way.
Thank you again for this extraordinary honor. Congratulations, Class of 2026. May you carry your gifts forward and pass them on wherever you go next.