Norah O’Donnell (C’95, G’03), CBS Evening News managing editor and anchor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN chief medical correspondent, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, and Jerome H. Powell (L’79), chair of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, are among the 12 speakers scheduled to address the Class of 2024 at commencement this year.
The university holds individual graduation ceremonies for each of the undergraduate, graduate and professional schools as well as award celebrations on campus.
The events begin with Georgetown University in Qatar’s commencement on May 9, followed by senior convocation on May 16. They end with the Baccalaureate Mass and the Law Center’s commencement ceremony on May 19.
On May 16, Norah O’Donnell, an Emmy Award-winning journalist who is also a 60 Minutes contributing correspondent, will address the School of Continuing Studies, where she received her master of arts in liberal studies in 2003. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, host of Chasing Life, will address the School of Medicine on May 19.
They are joined by Ann Misiaszek Sarnoff (B’83), the former chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment and vice chair of the McDonough School of Business Board of Advisors, who will speak at the school’s undergraduate ceremony. Philip J. Hirschkop (L’64), an alumnus and civil rights lawyer whose Supreme Court case led to the legalization of interracial marriage, will receive an honorary degree at Georgetown Law’s Commencement.
“We are honored to welcome this exceptional group of speakers and members of our alumni community for our Class of 2024’s commencement ceremonies,” says Georgetown President John J. DeGioia. “They have each demonstrated leadership, service and a commitment to making a lasting impact for good. We look forward to hearing their insights and to celebrating the Class of 2024.”
Students, family, faculty, alumni and friends can follow commencement activities online, including live webcasts. Visit the 2024 commencement website for information about how to share memories, pictures and words of wisdom with these graduating seniors and alumni.
Commencement Speakers, Honorary Degree Recipients
In order of their appearance.
Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Republic of South Africa
Georgetown University in Qatar
Thursday, May 9, Georgetown University in Qatar, 9 a.m. EDT, 4 p.m. AST
Watch the Qatar Campus livestream
Norah O’Donnell (C’95, G’03)
Anchor and Managing Editor of CBS Evening News
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
School of Continuing Studies (SCS)
Thursday, May 16, Healy Lawn, 3 p.m.
Watch the SCS livestream
Todd Park
Co-Founder and Executive Chair, Devoted Health, and Former U.S. CTO
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
McCourt School of Public Policy
Thursday, May 16, Healy Lawn, 6 p.m.
Watch the McCourt livestream
Imani Perry
Henry A. Morss, Jr. and Elisabeth W. Morss Professor of Studies of Women, Gender and Sexuality and of African and African American Studies, and Carol K. Pforzheimer Professor at Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
Friday, May 17, Healy Lawn, 9 a.m.
Watch the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ livestream
Dr. Patricia Polgar-Bailey
Family Nurse Practitioner and Integrative Care Provider
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Science
School of Nursing
Friday, May 17, Healy Lawn, 12 p.m.
Watch the School of Nursing livestream
Mohammad Al Gergawi
Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the United Arab Emirates
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
McDonough School of Business: Graduate Ceremony
Friday, May 17, Healy Lawn, 3 p.m.
Watch the McDonough School of Business Graduate livestream
Most Rev. Evelio Menjivar-Ayala
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
College of Arts & Sciences
Saturday, May 18, Healy Lawn, 9 a.m.
Watch the College of Arts & Sciences’ livestream
Dr. Toyin Ajayi
Co-Founder and CEO, Cityblock Health
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Science
School of Health
Saturday, May 18, Gaston Hall, 12 p.m.
Watch the School of Health livestream
Ann Misiaszek Sarnoff (B’83)
Board Member of PayPal, Cineworld and WTA Ventures and Former Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
McDonough School of Business: Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 18, Healy Lawn, 2:30 p.m.
Watch the McDonough School of Business Undergraduate livestream
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General of the World Trade Organization
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS): Undergraduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 18, Healy Lawn, 5 p.m.
Watch the SFS livestream
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Director-General of the World Trade Organization
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters
Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS): Graduate Ceremony
Saturday, May 18, Healy Lawn, 7:30 p.m.
Watch the SFS livestream
Dr. Sanjay Gupta
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent and host of Chasing Life
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Science
School of Medicine
Sunday, May 19, Healy Lawn, 12 p.m.
Watch the School of Medicine livestream
Philip J. Hirschkop (L’64), Civil Rights Lawyer
Honorary Degree: Doctor of Laws
Jerome H. Powell (L’79), Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Speaker, Honorary Degree: Doctor of Laws
Georgetown Law
Sunday, May 19, Healy Lawn, 3 p.m.
Watch the Georgetown Law livestream
*Times are noted in Eastern Daylight Time.
